by Blake Snyder
REMEMBERING
BLAKE
When Blake passed away unexpectedly on August 4, 2009, the announcement of his death on www.blakesnyder.com brought a storm of heartfelt comments. Here are some excerpts.
Blake was an unstoppable force of love and inspiration.
Blake's words were golden. He was simply the best when it came to story and teaching. His books will live on forever and inspire many great writers for decades to come.
It's unlikely a day of my writing life will go by without me thinking of Blake. His contributions to understanding the nature and power of story are immeasurable. His generous nature and lively spirit will not be forgotten. The creative spark he ignited in thousands of writers will never be extinguished.
Blake had nothing but joy to offer his readers and students. He could barely contain how excited he was to share the wonders of good storytelling. Blake will not only live on as a guru who shaped countless writers, but also as a sterling example of how finding your true purpose and doing it with all your heart is the only way to live.
Here was a man in the middle of cynical Hollywood, without a trace of cynicism. He tore a joyous hole through this jaded business and he will live on.
I'm days away from finishing the first draft of the first script I've ever written with Save the Cat! I've been writing screenplays for 19 years (majored in screenwriting in college), and yet I've never had more fun writing a script. It is very clear from his blogs and books that he “got” not only writing, but also the writer. I believe it's this difference that makes his writing so inspiring, fun, and accessible. I know it will continue to be my guide in the future. He will not be forgotten.
Blake's books have become the template for a generation of screen-writers. His grace and style will be something that every teacher — and aren't we all teachers, at some point? — should strive to emulate.
Blake reminded me of my hopes for our films, for their capacity to change lives as well as entertain. And somehow, by breaking it down one beat at a time, he made that all seem possible.
Blake was so much more than a groundbreaking pioneer. He was the guy who held the hand of each and every one of us, telling us “Don't be afraid. I will be with you every step of the way. I'll always be here for you.”
Blake made you feel like you were a welcome friend. His books and software are my favorites and the ones I've learned the most from. Blake, I am a better writer because of you. Thank you for your life, your legacy, and your love of writing.
Blake, you made such a difference in your life, something that your passing won't stop. To think how many more people you will reach through your teaching… to think the great works that will flow from the course you've set… to think the lives you will enrich through your words.
He is the #1 reason I am able to get the meetings I get and write the movies I write. There is nobody I can think of that epitomized the heart and beauty of storytelling more than Blake. His gift as both a writer and teacher is unparalleled. I will be eternally grateful for having known him and will continue to build on the skills he's given me and share them with every writer I meet until the end of my time.
Blake taught so that we could see how “brilliant” we were — not how brilliant he was.
Blake gave me such confidence in my story but he gave me more than that, he gave me a belief in myself.
Blake showed me that the power of storytelling resides within me, and his technique was the tool to bring it out. I believe this is the greatest gift he showed us all.
Let us honor this wonderful man by being the writers that he believed we were — and believing in each other.
