a sad loss

[adelaidesean]

I could and probably should update my LJ with gossip from Worldcon and boring writerly stuff, but I won't just yet. Instead I'm going to talk briefly about Colin Thiele, who died earlier this week from heart failure. Australians will know him as the author of Storm Boy, a novel set on the South Australian coast concerning a boy and his father, a pelican and an outcast Aboriginal called Fingerbone (filmed in 1976). I grew up with book and movie, and am saddened by this loss to the Australian literary landscape. An author of 80 or more novels, he was something of an inspiration. An author with plenty of time and energy for new writers, ditto.

When asked on a list if I had met him, I had to say that I had not, but the degrees of separation between us were very small (as they always are in Adelaide). A few years back the government tried to award him an "SA Great" Literature Award, for services to the industry and promotion of the state, but he wouldn't accept it. He insisted it should go to the runner up, a younger fellow who, Colin felt, deserved the encouragement more. That young whippersnapper was me. It may not be much of an award outside SA, but I was pleased to have something with the word "Literature" in it and flattered by his generosity.

I'll never again be able to describe The Stone Mage & the Sea as "Storm Boy meets Mad Max" without feeling a little wistful.

Comments

[deborahkalin.livejournal.com]

That was a classy thing for Colin to do. I always felt a soft spot for him because he was my father's schoolteacher (waaaay back when). And of course for Storm Boy. That story rocketh muchly.

[deborahkalin.livejournal.com]

and welcome home, by the way!

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Why, thank you, ma'am. It's nice to be here.

Liked your story in Shadowed Realms 9, btw. Belatedly. :-)

[haloumi.livejournal.com]

I had the pleasure of meeting him at my cousin's house. It was a while ago, over 20 years, but I was reading The Shadow on the Hills and I remember him being very pleasant in conversation and signing the book for me.

I've always been amazed at how well he captured the Australian landscape in prose.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

I've always been amazed at how well he captured the Australian landscape in prose.

If I could do it half as well, I'd be ecstatic.

Patricia Wrightson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Wrightson) was another major inspiration for me, particularly from the spec fic angle. It's a crime her books aren't more readily available, and majorly depressing that someone with so many Childrens Book Council awards can be just about forgotten these days. (As far as I'm aware, she's still with us. That's something.)

[deborahkalin.livejournal.com]

tah! :)

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Colin Thiele wil be greatly missed. I loved Storm Boy, Blue Fin and Sun on the Stubble and Shadow on the Hills. Condolences can be sent to his family via http://www.eudunda.net/colinthiele/index.shtml

Patricia Wrightson is still one of my favourite authors. I am working on a website to promote her work (as soon as my new computer is built). I have to write to her first to make sure she is okay with this. I'd hate to get on her bad side. It is a crying shame that our only Hans Christian Andersen (for writing) winner is not better known, and someone like Stever Irwin is treated like a saint.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Hear hear!

(I wonder how long before some nutter sees Steve's face on a pair of crocodile boots and his beatification is fast-tracked? Gah.)

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Having had a look around for sites on Colin Thiele, I've realised that there doesn't seem to be one dealing with his writing in a critical capacity (but this I mean examined in a literary manner not picked to pieces). Since the Wrightson site is supposed to be an examination of her writing, I'm wondering if doing a Thiele site later might be a good thing. The Wrightson site is going to take a while (assuming Ms Wrightson gives her consent), so this would be a very long term project.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

I think it's wonderful that you're doing this for Patricia Wrightson, and I agree with you that Colin Thiele's sites seem a little thin on the ground. I can't understand why. I wonder if the Australia Council would fun an attempt to redress this imbalance?

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Not intending, of course, any disrespect to Steve Irwin or his family. Just to the nutters. I'm sure they're out there.

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the idea. I'll look into it.

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Perhaps under the Audience Development arm:
http://www.ozco.gov.au/council_priorities/audience_development/

There's a real case here, I think. If you decide to take it further and need help of any kind (including letters of recommendation) drop me a line. I can put on my SA Writers' Centre hat too, which is always fun.

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Thank you Sean. That is very kind. Does my being in NSW preclude you from wearing your SA Writers Centre hat?

We have a bit of a setback. The old computer we were overhauling has died completely. So we now have to save up and get a new computer...blah. However, I can work on content (starting by reading all the books again, etc) so I'm to go when the computer is ready. I can do some work on the main computer when Jack_ryder is off it (if ever).

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Does my being in NSW preclude you from wearing your SA Writers Centre hat?

Not at all! The hats (like various automobile service organisations) function perfectly well across state lines. :-)

Good luck with the computer.

[(Anonymous)]

I adored Wrightson, and I think she is far more influential than she is given credit for too.