I've had the good fortune to meet several favorite authors. I am a long time science fiction and fantasy fan, and go to conventions, which the authors often attend.
I have three experiences to relate that are particularly wonderful. The first one was at one the first conventions I attended, way back in the mid-70's. I had been reading the works of AE van Vogt since the 60's (when I started reading science fiction) and I had a favorite series of stories called The War Against the Rull. I had a rather well-read paperback of that book (I'd reread it numerous times, so it was a bit worn) and asked if he would autograph it for me. I asked him if there were going to be any more Rull stories, and he said he didn't know. Then he gave me a wonderful autograph: it said "To Amy, here are all the Rull stories to date. Best Wishes, AE van Vogt" and then he wrote the convention name and date. I was, as you might guess, quite happy.
I think it was at the same convention that I met Emil Petaja. I had been reading his books for a long time too, and I knew the folklore/mythology he was basing his stories on, which is the Finnish epic, the Kalevala. I asked him if that was what he was doing, and he said yes and was very pleased that I was familiar with the stories of the Kalevala and recognized what he was doing.
The third one was a few years later, when I got to attend a conference called Contact, which brings together scientists from several fields, as well as well known science fiction authors, fans, and educators. The idea is to experience "world building" and to get to put all sorts of people together for a weekend of brainstorming and creativity, of "what if" imaging an alien world when given some basic parameters to start from. Anyway, one of the science fiction authors who was there, and one of my favorites, was CJ Cherryh. One morning I went to get breakfast at the conference center's restaurant, and when I came in, she was sitting by herself at a booth. I was a relatively early riser, and obviously so was she. She recognized me as an attendee, and invited me over to join her for breakfast. So I got to sit and chat with someone whose work I enjoyed and admired, and it was wonderful because it was relaxed and friendly, just two people participating in this conference rather than author and fan.
I think most authors appreciate people who can converse intelligently about their work, rather fanboys and fangirls who go all gaga. Yes, they probably enjoy the admiration, but I think probably get worn out by celebrity.
