Happy 91st Birthday, Lloyd Alexander

It seems to be a yearly tradition for me to write a blog post on here, I'm sorry that it doesn't happen more. Each year on January 30 (Lloyd Alexander's Birthday), it gives me a chance to reflect on the man who has become my favorite author, and the impact he has made on my life. It would be no exaggeration to say that the goals I have, and the direction my life is headed would definitely not be the same without Lloyd Alexander.

Today to celebrate and commemorate Lloyd on his 91st birthday, I have decided to share a list of interesting facts about Lloyd that I have learned that others may not know. I hope this list is interesting to those who read it.

• Lloyd's full name was Lloyd Chudley Alexander (but in high school, he decided to drop his middle name)
• The Chronicles of Prydain was originally planned as a trilogy and was to be titled "The Sons of Llyr" the 3 books in the series were to be:

1. The Battle of the Trees
2. The Lion with the Steady Hand
3. Little Gwion

• When "The Battle of the Trees" was edited out of the first book, Lloyd wanted to rename it "The Assistant Pig-Keeper" but was convinced by someone at the publishing house to name it "The Book of Three"
• Lloyd Alexander loved classical music, especially Mozart
• He thoroughly enjoyed watching the TV show "Xena: Warrior Princess"
• Even though his last book was published in 2007, Lloyd did all of his writing on a typewriter up to the end.
• Lloyd had Agoraphobia: Fear of leaving his house (although, not sure if it was actual fear, or just liked the comforts of home, either way he didn't travel much).
• He was a master of crossword puzzles.
• He truly appreciated his fans. He made it a goal to always personally write back every fan that sent him a letter (I'm unsure if he was 100% in that goal, but I know he was close).

Lloyd Alexander was a very special and unique human being. The talent that he had for writing enabled him to write in such a way that his stories and characters stick with you in a way that I have never quite experienced elsewhere. 

If you have never read any of the books by Lloyd Alexander, I suggest that you do so. If you are like me and have read his books many times, then I urge you to share them with someone else. His creativity and imagination is contagious, and if this world had more people like Lloyd Alexander, it certainly would be a better place.