Will you share a joke with Death?

Like many of his fans today I say, ‘farewell Sir Terry Pratchett.’ Bon Voyage.

My family lined up once to meet and have him sign a book in Penrith. It was a long line. I remember the dark hat and coat; he dressed as above.

Jayden Smith, reportedly calls this Einstein dressing and adopts it too – that is the genius is the man in the clothes, not the clothes. Pratchett was a genuis, no doubt about it. He chose humour and fantasy to understand life, where someone like Stephen Hawking chooses science.

I’ve been enjoying reading all the wonderful quotes people are sharing from his books.

Some of my favourites are: “It’s still magic even if you know how it’s done. – from A Hat Full of Sky” http://t.co/RdDGdXsbLJ

“Fantasy is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can.”

The best tribute I can pay to him though is to keep writing my very first fantasy novel, which I hope can reach the witty depths and observations of life of this hilariously profound storyteller.

The BBC are calling on people to share their tributes, as creatively and in as many mediums as they want. They can act out scenes from his books, send a personal memory, design a costume and more.I wonder what people will do.

I read what Neil Gaiman wrote of his friend, such a beautiful piece, and wonder if Death, measures up to Sir Pratchett’s imagination.

I think Sir Pratchett would tip his hat to all who fight that monster we call Alzheimers and suggest we continue to give donations into research into the preservation of our faculties as we head into the journey of old age, but what better way to pay him tribute then to read or watch one of his stories before going to sleep tonight.

(c) June Perkins