NADWCON 2011: Meeting with Terry Pratchett!

Monday night we got back from the 2011 North American Discworld Convention (NADWCON) in Madison, WI. For those who don't know, this is a celebration of writer Terry Pratchett and the universe he created.

I'll prolly be making a few entries about our experience, but I want to at least start with the following. It's an article I wrote for the Con newsletter. Vivian Obarski was gracious enough to publish it, although she understandably had to chop it down in order to fit the small amount of space she had. The following is the original, full version:


The Color of Pratchett*

I count myself among the most fortunate parents on Earth. A small handful of us accompanied our children on an amazing journey with Terry Pratchett while he hosted a Kaffee Klatch for his younger fans at NADWCON 2011.

The first step of the journey began with Mr. Pratchett asking the dozen or so kids why they were here. Someone answered, "To ask you questions!" and we were off!

We learned quite a few things about the people of the universe's best disc-shaped world. For example, Magrat Garlick's first name did not start as a typo, but reflects the original form of the real Earth name before "Margaret" insisted on becoming more refined. We learned how much Mr. Pratchett really likes Lord Vetinari and his pragmatic way of keeping Ankh-Morpork running like an adequately-oiled, working machine. Speaking of Vetinari, we found out the close kinship that Vetinari's man Drumknott has with John Steed of the 1960's "The Avengers" series. Yet another association/inspiration discovered was that Mr. Pratchett's cat Oscar spawned the infamous Greebo. Many other intelligent questions produced marvelous results.

Regardless, every question was answered thoughtfully and completely, as if there was no more important subject in the world at that moment. And indeed there wasn't. For a man who weaves the most fabulous and intricate stories – lies as some writers like to say – he had nothing but honesty and sincerity for the small children to young adults performing their interrogation.

My son Alex (foreground) with Terry Pratchett

For me, however, the best part was Mr. Pratchett's exploration of the idea that music and singing of folk songs help keep a culture knitted together. He graced us – truly – with his own lovely, clear singing of a song from his childhood that includes the chorus:

       And the larks they sang melodious
       at the dawning of the day

This was followed by his leading everyone, adult and child, in the singing of the Beatle's "Yellow Submarine". I felt like I'd drifted into someone's dream about spending the best hour possible with a favorite writer.

My son Alex came away floating three feet off the ground and almost visibly glowing from the experience. I've no doubt that the others reacted the same way, with their parents feeling as privileged as I do. Thank you, Sir Terry!

Spencer Luster

*as Discworld fans know, Terry's first book about the world was titled The Color of Magic. My article title is meant to honor this magician.