Carolyn Kaufman, QT blogger, author, valued colleague and dear friend, passed away yesterday, September 7th, after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Her passing is a great loss to the QueryTracker family and the entire writing community.
When I sat down to write this, I knew it would be difficult. But I had no idea just how difficult. Not only because she was a dear friend, but also because she was so talented, funny and kind. How can I possibly capture all that in a mere blog post? It can’t be done, but I will try to give her memory the justice it deserves.
She was a writer, of course, but she was also a talented photographer and artist, a doctor of psychology and a college professor. Yet somehow she found the time to blog about her writing experiences and, as she put it, “help writers become authors.” Although she never fulfilled her dream of publishing a novel, she did publish books to help other writers (such as the Writer’s Guide to Psychology, http://www.archetypewriting.com.)
I first met Carolyn in 2008 when she joined QueryTracker. She went by the screen name of Archetype, and it wasn’t long before I was affectionately calling her Archie. A short time later, she and a group of other authors approached me about the QT Blog. You see, back then, the blog was floundering. Mostly because I’m a terrible blogger. Anyway, her and her group volunteered to take over the blog. They had written a detailed proposal and presented it professionally and with confidence. Little did they know that that kind of delivery was not necessary. I would have handed it over to the first schmuck to come along. But they soon showed me they were not schmucks. They knew what they were doing, and for the first time (and ever since) I was proud of the blog.
(Meet the first blog team: http://www.querytracker.blogspot.com/2008/12/meet-qt-blog-team.html)
As time went by, the other bloggers moved on and were replaced. But not Carolyn. Once she starts something, she doesn’t give up. She loved being able to reach out to other writers and share with them the things she had learned on her journey. The blog became her baby, and I was thankful for her and always assured that she would do the right thing with it. She never let me down.
So it is with the greatest of sadness that I say good bye, Archie. You will be missed.
-Patrick
26 comments:
Carolyn's passing is so sad. She is all of what you say, Pat, and more. She was a great friend to me, and I will miss her.
I was so sad to read about this. She will be missed, Pat. My heart goes out to her family.
So sorry to read this. My heartfelt condolences.
This is lovely, Pat. Bless you for speaking for all of us.
How very sad! My condolences to all her friends and family. She will be missed.
Thank you, Pat, for writing this. Carolyn was a wonderful, giving friend and will be greatly missed.
Thanks, Pat, for saying what I cannot.
She was anything but an "archetype". Carolyn was entirely uniquely herself, and there will never be another like her.
I'm shocked and saddened to hear about Carolyn. She gave me some great writing tips, and assisted me in editing some of my posts on this blog. She was very kind.
Lovely, Patrick. Thank you.
Carolyn will by missed by the QT community and the writing community at large. We never met, but her spirit -- strong and vibrant, all that you mentioned and more, Pat -- came through loud and clear in her posts. My heartfelt condolences to her friends and family. Rest in peace, Carolyn.
This is such sad, sad news.
Such sad news. I never met her personally either, but I valued her posts and the time she gave so selflessly to so many of us dreaming about becoming published writers. Condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed.
I was so sorry to hear this sad news. Your blog (and Carolyn's part in it) has been a real blessing to my writing career. She will be missed. My condolences to her family and friends.
This was one of the first blogs I found back when I was a newbie writer, and as a fellow psychologist, I especially loved Carolyn's posts. She will be missed--hugs and condolences to all her friends and family.
I'm really saddened to hear this. I once emailed Carolyn asking specifics regarding depression in my characters, also teenage male rage. I didn't expect she would answer back personally, maybe I thought she would use my questions in one of her blog posts, but she did answer! She was so very helpful and kind in addressing my concerns, and we exchanged a few emails while I tried to firm up my characters. She will definitely be missed.
Very sad news indeed! While I am not a fiction writer, her insights were very appreciated - indeed, she will be missed. I cannot even imagine what those close to her are dealing with during this trying time - my heart goes out to all of you.
This is a lovely tribute to Carolyn. This summer she worked with Becca on one of our new thesaurus references, and her insight into psychology helped to make it a better book. Her support and confidence in the resource helped Becca and I so much, and her friendship and kind nature will be dearly missed.
Angela
So sad to hear this. And what a shock. My condolences go out to those of you who were her friends and to her family. She will definitely be missed.
So sorry to hear this tragic news. She was loved and will be missed by family and friends.
It breaks my heart to hear of such news. I hadn't gotten the honor to connect with her but I know she has touched many of your lives. May you all be blessed with peace. And may her memory always stay alive. Such a beautiful person with so much talent.
Condolences. Very beautiful post.
Thanks, Pat. I feel so blessed to have had the chance to know Carolyn. She was a special person who made a difference to so many. Your post was lovely, Pat.
I am so shocked and saddened by this! I didn't always comment, but read everything she posted. I will miss her.
This is so sad, I loved to read Carolyn's posts, they were always thoughtful and full of insights - helpful insights for writers because indeed, a deep knowledge/understanding of psychology is essential and that is recisely what Carolyn so elegantly offered...My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
Such a lovely tribute! She will be missed.
This is such sad news. She was one of my favorite QT bloggers to read, as her psychology posts were so helpful. It is clear from the way she spent her time online that she was so giving and helpful. She will be missed.
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