OctaviaButler.net A fan blog for Octavia E. Butler, writer.

by Fred K.

When I was a sophomore in high school, I was assigned to read Octavia Butler's great novel, Kindred.  I remember thinking that it was a fascinating book, but how much of its meaning I could comprehend as a fifteen-year old, I cannot say.  What I do remember most is that my teacher, Ms. Grist, arranged for Ms. Butler to come to my high school and talk about her work.  Her talk was incredibly inspiring for me.  She believed that anyone could be a writer, and she was incredibly humble.

I'll never forget waiting in line to have my copy of Kindred signed by Ms. Butler.  I was nervous because I had never met an accomplished writer before, a person who was doing exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up. When it was my turn to have my copy of Kindred signed, I handed Ms. Butler the book and looked her right in the eyes.  I don't remember if we exchanged words other than me saying, "Thank you," but when she looked at me and smiled I felt as if she knew that someday I wanted to be a writer.
Her eyes, like her inspiring words, said to me, "You can do it!" 

It saddens me that Ms. Butler is no longer with us, but her words will
never die.  My deepest thanks go out to this incredible author.  She, like her great literary works, is unforgettable.