David Gemmell, 1948-2006

[tamaranth]

Some time in the late 90s, I sat in the Angel in St Giles High Street and had a long, drunken conversation with David Gemmell.

Every time I bumped into him at conventions or parties after that, he'd say hello, and we'd catch up if we had time. (I like to compare this with A Bestselling Author who forgot me utterly within 48 hours of a similarly long, drunken conversation: or perhaps it was his stunt double.)

He kept encouraging me to write 'that book you were telling me about'. If only I could remember which one it was!

He was one of those people who can truly fix you with a gaze: real charisma.

I only read one of his novels, and I'm afraid I don't remember which one. I do remember wishing that his personality came over more strongly in his writing.

I liked him, I didn't know him well enough and now I never will.

Comments

[madcatwoman.livejournal.com]

Dave and I both thoroughly enjoyed many of his books, and they could always reduce Dave to tears - he was an absolute pushover for tales of selfless heroism. I met him at Follycon 2 and all I could manage to say was, "Your books make my bloke cry!".

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

You had the long, drunken conversation, and you had an ongoing friendly connection. Making a proper connnection with someone is always better than not. Especially if they're nice.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So sorry your friend has passed on.

*many hugs*

*also raises a glass to you both*

[jhaelan.livejournal.com]

I never met him, but i am an avid reader of everything he wrote. I am glad he was more than his stories :)

[cy75.livejournal.com]

That's a nice tale of life in general and it seems you have some lovely memories of your meetings with him.

Who could ask for more out of memories of someone who's gone.

Damn !

[suaveswede.livejournal.com]

I have been out of touch for quite a while only checking in sporadically. Now i can´t decide if i wanted to hear this or not. He was a teriffic person as far as i can remember I never read more the odd book by him and that felt a bit akward. I can only agree with Tamaranth here.