I have to admit this post is a tough one.
Back in September I reviewed Jack Falla's excellent new book titled Open Ice: Reflections and Confessions of a Hockey Lifer. The next day, he contacted me to offer me his thanks.I must admit to being ecstatic. One of the greatest hockey writers ever not only read my review, but he liked it and enough to go out of his way to tell me so.
Then I got courageous and asked him if I could interview him about the book. I fully expected him to brush me off at least at that moment. After all, he's an incredibly busy guy and he could be conducting interviews with so many more beneficial sources than my little little website.
Without hesitation Falla enthusiastically accepted the offer to be interviewed by me. I would contact him a day later with my questions, and he would clear time from his schedule to make sure the interview had center stage.
I'm not sure if I was more incredulous of what just happened or down right nervous about what was going to happen. After all, here I am, a complete amateur, interviewing a writing legend, veteran journalist and a 20 year University professor of journalism. I definitely was out of my league.
Jack Falla not only obliged me but made me feel like a million bucks in doing so. He gave me the rare feeling that maybe, just maybe, my hockey writing was going to get me somewhere yet. He was truly an amazing and humble man.
Three days later Jack Falla died of heart failure. I could not believe it.
It has been about a month now, and I'm hoping I'm airing this interview in good taste. The interview was intended to promote his new book, but as far as I'm concerned this interview is now my way of saying thank you to him.
Proceed to the full Jack Falla interview at Hockey Book Reviews.com.
2 comments:
Its truly a tribute to Jack that so many people, including myself, were touched by his life. I had the exact same feeling, that this writing thing just might work, after having a few conversations with him.
The man was a truly great writer, and an even better human being.
Thank you for sharing this post, and for posting the interview as well. I know it could not have been easy to go through with it.
Oh, and by the way, yours is one of a very selct number of blogs I read every time there is a new post, and I am working my way back through your archive. Keep up the great work. Yours is a truly unique place in the hockey world.
Thank you for your most kind comments
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