Hi all

I recently drew Ray for my illustration blog and decided to get some feedback from his regular readers. So, if you have a moment, please take a look and let me know via my blog what you experts think.

http://mattbaxter.org/

Thanks!
Matt

Thanks for posting, Matt. I've put a comment on your site!

Author Neil Gaiman is inspired by Ray. Specifically, when he writes for the forthcoming Bradbury tribute book (edited by Sam Weller), he might be tempted to do a story inspired by "Usher II":

http://collider.com/neil-gaima...ds-doctor-who/99719/

For more of Neil Gaiman's thoughts about Ray, read the introduction he wrote for PS Publishing's re-issue of THE MACHINERIES OF JOY:

http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/...y-bradbury-692-p.asp

In the ninth grade I had an assignment to add a new ending to the Bradbury story, "The Veldt". It was supposed to be a couple of paragraphs but I ended up handing in something like 20 pages. My teacher looked at me like I was a nut (I'm sure he dreaded how much extra work it would be to read it). "The Veldt" was a great story with characters that were easy to write since they had their own individual personalities. It just felt so easy, and it made me really want to write my own short stories, which I did through the rest of high school.

I went into programming and eventually became a nonfiction writer, and mostly set aside my yearnings to write fiction, thinking it was silly and unprofitable. A couple of years ago though I started up again, writing short stories here and there, and starting but not finishing a couple of novels. I wasn't getting much of anywhere with it, but it just felt right to do it. Always in the back of my head I thought I should write a short story a day, knowing that Ray Bradbury could. It was possible.

So a few months ago, I finally gave it a shot, and it happened! I was shocked I could do it, but with an hour or two of effort each day, I accumulate a new story. I don't cling to them or obsess over them, I just let them come out, and it's very freeing, and if I've entertained myself in the process I consider it a successful story. And that's all Ray Bradbury's philosophy, from what I've read. I've just embraced it.

So thank you, Mr. Bradbury :-)

Katharine Osborne
My archive of short stories

So, in the tradition of this thread, I shall say:

Katharine Osborne is inspired by Ray!

The makers of this music video are inspired by Ray. (They mention the story "Kaleidoscope" as an initial influence.)

This teacher is inspired by Ray. (Or at least he was, in 2006.)

Writer Rick Klaw is inspired by Ray.

Young Italian writer and artist Maurizio Temporin is inspired by Ray.

In this interview he says "Sicuramente “il popolo dell’autunno” e “Paese d’ottobre” di Bradbury. Sono stati i libri che mi hanno fatto iniziare a scrivere… ". Translated it means that "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and the "October Country" were the books that inspired him to start writing.

Interview Maurizio Temporin

This author has a website. One of the pages is titled "A o West di 8bre", "West of October". Click on Illustrazioni and you will see some of his Bradbury inspired drawings.

Temporin Drawings

Another excellent find, bytorbass. Thanks!

Thanks Phil. I was looking for Italian versions of Bradbury's works and stumbled on this author. It would be interesting to read some of his writings to see more directly how Bradbury inspired him.

Actually, I've always wanted to read an Italian translation of Bradbury, but I've yet to get my hands on one.

Link to Maurizio Temporin's page with preview of his book "Tutti i Colori del Buio". It appears that the main character's name is "Ray Pitbury". This passage is a description of the story. Maybe from the book's dust jacket?

It tells the story of Ray Pitbury, a science fiction writer, with very little money. He lives on a boat and in order to find inspiration he travels to an enchanting place where it is always Spring. When he arrives there he finds fields of flowers and a river with floating cow carcasses. However, this mystery piques his curiosity.Instead of leaving he decides to enter the forest, where it is said a nonhuman creature lives. He doen't find a monster but instead finds a being named Kolor Feresferatu. Ray doesn't know it at the time but Kolor will become his best friend.

Please excuse the simple translation.

Ray Pitbury

Might I offer that Pitbury is a good word?

Parents are inspired by Ray. Or should be.