In Memoriam: Blake Snyder

Screenwriter Blake Snyder passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 4th, and I’m struggling to put into words how it is I feel so sad, so personally touched by the loss of someone I knew so little.

Blake Snyder, Photo courtesy of www.blakesnyder.com
Blake Snyder. Photo courtesy of www.blakesnyder.com.

But Blake was, is, that sort of being, a Light Bulb Being. Along with being super talented and successful, charismatic and funny, engaging and dare I say, wise, he had such a…light about him.

I met him at last year’s Romance Writers of America Conference in San Francisco. His mini workshop on adapting one’s romance novel into a screenplay unexpectedly and totally wowed me–and after sixteen years in this business, believe me, I am not easily wowed.

We corresponded occasionally by email. I was always amazed that someone who was such a…Name responded so promptly and so graciously. I think people, all people, just genuinely interested him.

I bought his book, Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need and was signed up for his two-day screenwriting workshop, which would have taken place next week here in New York City. When the email came through informing workshop registrants of his death, I was stunned. I still am.

What I also am is mindful, wholly mindful, of just how uncertain and yes, infinitely precious our lives are. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the so-so, it’s doesn’t matter, every moment counts. It’s life, our life, and I’m pledging to savor every single second of mine from here on.

Bon Voyage, Blake.

Hope

Thanks for stopping by…

Many thanks to the many of you who stopped by yesterday to talk books with me at The Pink Heart Society. As always the chat was lively, and I was in total awe of the eclectic reading that takes place within the romance community. Clearly I’d better get crackin’ to catch up!

I’ll be announcing my three PHS contest winners soon, maybe even later today, so please check back. And if you haven’t already, please take two ticks and enter my regular contest here on the site. The prize is a signed copy of Strokes of Midnight and a coverflat keepsake of Untamed. Like the slogan says, “You gotta play to win.”

Hope

Blogging at The Pink Heart Society

I’m blogging today–all day–at The Pink Heart Society so please don’t be a stranger. The blog topic: What are You Reading?

I’m reading Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! The book is a humorous and helpful how-to guide on screenwriting from yes, a real Hollywood “insider.” How about you?

Giveaways are three copies of Strokes of Midnight.