Discussion Q2 Volume 39

@wulfmoon we need a sad button for this news... 

@pdblake Dave Farland has passed away!!

My post to Writers of the Future on FB, and my condolences to all of you. I know one of the hopes of those entering this Contest has been to one day win to meet the legendary David Farland and to be instructed by him. I am sorry that era is over. Here’s the post: 

“It is devastating news. We all knew he had health issues, but he was such a fighter and never allowed it to stop him. It is hard to imagine a world without our mentor, friend, and coordinating judge of this Contest. My condolences to his family, friends, fans, and to all of you at Writers of the Future that have lost your friend and colleague. David Farland was a grand master in the field of writing, and a champion in guiding aspiring writers toward success.”

I haven't read any of Dave's work, but I'd like to do so in his honor (and I'd like to help the family).  For those who are familiar with his portfolio, what would you consider his best standalone story?

@wulfmoon Wulfy - Do you have any specifics as to why this happened?

Posted by: @chwalter

I haven't read any of Dave's work, but I'd like to do so in his honor (and I'd like to help the family).  For those who are familiar with his portfolio, what would you consider his best standalone story?

I only have the one I just so happened to have bought The Sum of all Men a few months ago.  Not read it yet but I'll move it to the front of the 'to be read shelf' 

(@chwalter) David Wolverton aka Dave Farland's winning story-On My Way to Paradise-is in v3. As a tribute to Dave I will read this story again. 

This just breaks my heart. Awful, horrible news. And as luck would have it, on a Thursday no less.

Posted by: @storysinger

(@chwalter) David Wolverton aka Dave Farland's winning story-On My Way to Paradise-is in v3. As a tribute to Dave I will read this story again. 

 

I stand corrected. I have that too. 

I think the best way to honor Dave is to KEEP WRITING!! And strive to be the best we can be at it.

Posted by: @chwalter

I haven't read any of Dave's work, but I'd like to do so in his honor (and I'd like to help the family).  For those who are familiar with his portfolio, what would you consider his best standalone story?

Not stand alone, but his best by far is The Sum Of All Men. It literally introduced me to, and made me fall in love with, fantasy single-handedly.

I literally can't believe it. The world hasn't lost one of the greats, it's lost the greatest. 

So there were conflicting reports from Dave’s family, but Forest Wolverton, one of his sons, posted the latest. Pulled from Apex Writers:

“THIS JUST IN FROM Forrest Wolverton. IT IS A COPY/PASTE:

He’s unconscious on life support. Not recoverable. We will post an update on when officially he passes. I’m getting home as quick as I can to go see him. We were told we’d have to give the word to let him officially go. So gathering all the siblings to do so.”

At least the family will get the opportunity to say their goodbyes.

Posted by: @dragonchef

@wulfmoon Wulfy - Do you have any specifics as to why this happened?

Dave had a pacemaker put in after heart issues just before the Volume 35 workshop week. I mean JUST before. I couldn’t believe he came to teach, but that was Dave. He had a heart attack about a week ago, was sent home, said he wasn’t afraid of dying and would keep on working. He wrote to someone this morning that he had chills and wasn’t feeling good. That’s all I know, besides Forest’s post above.

This is devastating. I've been trying to process this for hours, but the tears keep ambushing me out of nowhere. My heart is aching for Dave, his family, his friends, and everyone whose lives were touched by him.

I only met Dave in person very briefly a couple of times in 2020, but the things he said to me meant a great deal. He gave me hope about some things I desperately needed hope for, and I'll always be grateful to him for that.

Oh, This is so heartbreaking. I’m sad for his family and everyone close to him. I never met Dave but was looking forward to meeting him one day and had come to feel like I knew him a little through the contest, his newsletter, and stories. It sounds like he passed very similarly to how my Dad went 😞 

Such unexpected and awful news. My condolences to everyone who is affected.

I read a copy of the note from his son on what was Dave's Facebook page earlier. Wanted to come here to see what was said here. but got distracted with dinner. I never met him but watched him on some videos and read many of his daily hints and facebook comments. I will miss him. My condolences to his family and those here who knew him better than me. Shocking. 

Hmmm. This is the second death of a WotF editor I have lived through. For the reasons mentioned in my first note I felt like I knew Dave better though.

Posted by: @dragonchef

@pdblake Dave Farland has passed away!!

I just saw the news on Twitter and had to hop over here...Deepest condolences to David's friends and family. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but he poured so much of himself into his writing courses and videos that I almost felt like I knew him. He was one of the greatest writing teachers I've ever had.

I hadn't planned on entering the contest again until I finish the second draft of the novel I'm working on now, but I think I might put something together to honor Dave's memory and everything I've learned from him. Isn't it interesting how people can influence our lives without us ever meeting them?

This was a shock and such sad news. Dave was only 64 and always came across as a genuinely nice guy. I'd like to have met him. He'll be missed by many. My condolences to his family.

Terrible and shocking news. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Though I've never met him, Dave has always come across as such a genuine person, wanting to help people (especially new writers) and see them succeed. I've taken several of his workshops, and get his email newsletters. I particularly enjoyed his efforts to help feed folk in Fiji. And I will continue to treasure his book of Daily Meditations.

I will certainly be doing what others have said and reading one of his books. For me, it's an easy choice; Star Wars Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force by Dave Wolverton. I read this book so many times in my younger years I'm amazed the pages still hold together.

And yes, Dave, I threw in that semi-colon just for you.

I'm grateful I took Dave Farland's 318R class this past fall. I didn't have time for it, but I pushed myself to take it then anyway rather than put it off to my much easier schedule Spring semester. Dave greeted his classes Tuesday and Thursday nights for what was to me an extremely long day of adjunct teaching with a smile and conversation before class began. His warm nature and genuine interest in helping us write better came through no matter how tired or sick he was on his end. I'm stunned and sad for his family, close friends, and the wide writing community that Dave was the center of. He was too young for death to take him, but he accomplished more than most dare to dream of during his lifetime. To honor his memory I vow to do my best to put his teachings on writing into practice.

We have lost our leader 

I will miss getting story doctor emails in my inbox. Dave Farland seemed like such a genuinely caring person and so important to up and coming writers and to fans. What a loss for the world, and especially his family.

Forgive me if I don’t post for awhile about David Farland’s passing. Hitting me harder today than yesterday because it’s final. Dave was both mentor and friend, as he was to so many. I know he touched the lives of everyone here in some way. He would want you to keep writing with all your might.

Posted by: @wulfmoon

Forgive me if I don’t post for awhile about David Farland’s passing. Hitting me harder today than yesterday because it’s final. Dave was both mentor and friend, as he was to so many. I know he touched the lives of everyone here in some way. He would want you to keep writing with all your might.

Take your time mate, and take care.

@wulfmoon I think I can safely say that we are all feeling it harder today. Long distance hugs for all.

We will miss you Dave! Of that there could be no doubt. Rest now. You deserve it.
A viking burial for you; Your boat sent out to drift upon the calm lake water . . . and our burning arrows sent in.
Farewell.