If I was never personally in danger, it was only because I wasn't close enough. My "relationship" with Gaiman was: Huge fan since Sandman #50. Aspiring writer who found everything he said on the subject inspirational. For a very long time he was known for responding to every single fan letter; I had a postcard from him tacked up next to my desk, reiterating his most trite yet important piece of advice: Write. Finish what you write. Write the next thing. It's that easy, and that difficult.