Today I found out over on Robin McKinley's blog that Diana Wynne Jones died this morning.
Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favourite authors. I've been reading her books since I was - what, eight years old? - and a girl in my class lent me Witch Week. They're brilliant, and absolutely hilarious. Her characters are three-dimensional and loveable (I have a friend who wants to marry Howl), her magic and alternate universes extremely original.
They've always been books I re-read over and over. I can't even guess how many times I've read Charmed Life or Howl's Moving Castle and its sequels. I keep The Tough Guide to Fantasyland on my desk where I write, and it and Dark Lord of Derkholm are the best parodies of fantasy that I have read. I remember reading Year of the Griffin for the first time and wanting to go to that school. Unexpected Magic contains some of my favourite short stories ("Nad and Dan adn Quaffy," anyone?) And I haven't even read half of her books.
She's one of my writing role models. I want to write books like hers.
Right now, I am really, really sad.
RIP Diana.
D:
ZNZ -- I am terribly sorry to hear about the Diana-Wynne-Jones-shaped hole left in your life by death of your favorite author and friend. This world will not be the same. Maybe you can get your wish and help pick up the torch of her writing by becoming an author of books like hers.
ReplyDeleteRight now, please know that I am sad with you.