So, like many, i'm sure, my first experience of your writing was in "The Dreaming," and I instantly fell in love with it. You had done such an amazing job of telling and turning, and breathing life into that story. Later, when I read somewhere (aprocryphal, never confirmed or denied [but I guess this might do it, huh?]) that Neil had asked you to take over, it clicked into place. A True thing, even if it turns out that wasn't what happend.

Then I went to my first Dragon*Con. I was 18, it was 2000, and I was there solely to see Neil and Yoshitaka Amano, and that I did (funny story, in there, about lies in afterwords, but that's for later). But, that year, I also met Widgett Walls, of Needcoffee.com, and, directly before that, I met you.

I had no idea you would be there. I'd only barely read a few of your works. I was 18, and stupid, so my first words to you were "I wish I had known you were going to be here; I'd have brought something to have signed." What i was thinking, and what I should have said was "Your writing is absolutely amazing, and I want to think you, for the stories. Thank you, so much."

Over the next few years, I saw you again, heard you read, and got pictures Nar'eth. I've read more and more and the first Thought holds true:

Thank you, so much.

Good writing, and good night.