Every time someone I admire dies, I try to draw an in memoriam picture. This is the only one that’s ever come out looking right.
Writers like to have a “stock cast” when they’re looking for characters to bring to life. We’ll often enlist our favorite big screen actors to play roles to help us flesh them out.
I cast Alan Rickman several times in my books and series.

He gave Gruthsfield his deadly chilliness,

Vilori his hauteur and dry humor,

and Dunstan his grit and his soul

 

…not to mention countless other gifts to characters. And in losing him today I feel like I’ve lost a muse and an imaginary friend. I’m blubbering a bit as I type this.
God speed you on your journey, Alan, and continue to inspire from beyond the stars.