I find writing this blog today more difficult than usual. As always, I want to write something inspirational. The timing is perfect for it since NaNoWriMo starts in five days and I’m planning to participate again this year. But as much as I want to talk about that, to encourage other writers to charge head long into their own made up worlds, I can’t find the words.
This past weekend, my friend Cate Culpepper passed away. Cate was…so many things to so many people. She was kind and fiercely supportive. She was unafraid of the truth and told it with sharp wit. She was warm and inviting to new authors, and though I suffered from a very serious case of fan-girl squee every time we interacted, she took me by the hand and encouraged me. Cate was, to sum it up in one word, awesome.
Her death was not unexpected. She’d been very ill for what seemed like a long time as it was happening, but in retrospect seems like no time at all. Despite knowing what was coming, I am still stunned and heartbroken by the reality of her leaving us. 
I told Cate more than once how I would happily follow her into the mountains to build her Tristaine. I can only hope that she finds her tribe in the next evolution. I’m sure they’ve been waiting for their Amazon Queen. 
I so wish I could have met her in person. Thanks for this.
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Me, too, Andi. You two would have been great friends.
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I considered Cate a good friend and spoke to her often on the Tristaine board about Tristaine and the belief that it lives in each of us. We also talked about archery and and books and all the little things that made up our days. It was always special and I’ll miss that interaction so very much. The Tristaine series touched me in ways I find hard to describe. Your words about Cate here, are perfect.
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This is wonderful.
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Thanks, Pam. It’s hard to find the right words to express how this has impacted everyone. Cate was a great woman who touched many, many lives with kindness and generosity.
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I considered Cate a good friend and spoke to her often on the Tristaine board about Tristaine and the belief that it lives in each of us. We also talked about archery and and books and all the little things that made up our days. It was always special and I’ll miss that interaction so very much. The Tristaine series touched me in ways I find hard to describe. Your words about Cate here, are perfect.
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Her imagination touched so many lives. The farewell video had me in tears.
I can hear the echos of Amazon women cheering. Shouts of welcome and joy as she reached home.
Hugs for you – and the fact that you offered to build Tristaine for Cate shows how very much you care – and how cool you are.
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Yvonne – I totally wasn’t kidding. Cate created a world that speaks to many of us. I’d love it if Tritaine was a reality.
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Beautiful Jove, what a wonderful tribute for Cate. I’m sure she is smiling.
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Thanks, Connie. You knew Cate far better than I did. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.
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Cate would be so full of joy to read your words, Jove. Thank you.
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Thanks, Lee. I’d like to think that Cate knew the depth of my admiration. I told her, of course, but she always found a way to turn the focus away from herself. She was a good woman and I will miss her.
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Such a great loss…. she as a wonderful writer and human being.
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Agreed.
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Thank you for posting. Her stories will surely be missed. She was one of my more favorite writers.
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Cate had an amazing imagination and a beautiful use of language. Like Karis, Cate was a large part of why I chose Bold Strokes as a publisher.
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Thanks for sharing this, Jove. I didn’t know Cate, but I’ll bet she would have been honored by your heartfelt words.
Sorry for your and all of our loss!
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Thanks, Doreen. You’re right, it is a tremendous loss for all of us.
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I didn’t know her, but I loved her books. This was a beautiful tribute.
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She will be missed. Thank you for your loving ode.
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I did not know Cate, but from your words, she must have been a remarkable woman. Getting the Tristaine series is now on my ‘to-do’ list.
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[…] in Paradise: Cate Culpepper, 1957-2014″ Victoria Brownworth at Lambda Literary Jove Belle, “A Brief Ode to the Amazon Queen” D. Jackson Leigh, “O Captain, My […]
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