Scotch

[twips182]

It's been awhile since we've been to the mail bag so lets have a look.

Connie from Rutland Vermont asks: Twips how come so many of Dale's books leave the main character in a position where others treat them so badly? Connie I think that Dale looks at the world and people a little differently then the rest of us do. I asked Dale once about the emotional beating Jake took in one scene of the dead end series and his response was "what do you mean?" For me it was tough to read the scene but for Dale it was just one of those things that happens that most of us aren't exposed to. Regardless you can't argue with the approach..people can identify with some part of the pain and buy the books.

Argy from Chungdu China asks: Twips are you really the dim light bulb that you appear to be? Ok 1st..Argy you are not from Chungdu China.. You grew up about 100 miles away from where I did. 2nd...yes I really am the dim bulb that I appear to be. 3rd..At least I didn't try to act out a role from "Hooper" trying to be a Hollywood stunt man with my elite winter driving skills. Umm if you're not the same Argy from here on the forums I love the cheap products you all make..keep em coming!

Jefferson from Birmingham Alabama asks: Twips are there any American whiskeys that you like? I hate to answer this question because I really am a patriot and despite our countries problems I still feel that it is the greatest country in the world...But no I'm sorry I really don't care for American whiskey. Mostly it just has too sweet of a taste for me. I Know the makers put a lot of time and effort into it but it just doesn't fit my flavor profile. Of course if you find something I might like please send it to Marcia who has my home address and will forward it to me.

Well friends we are out of time please remember to stop by our sponsors at McArgy's and try something from the fine dinner menu.

[twips182]

So I recommended the book Blood Song by Anthony Ryan on the other forum and David warned me that Ryan had been picked up by Penguin Publishing and the next book might not be as good. I listened to what he said but I thought there's no way that the guy who wrote Blood Song (which I think of as a top ten book) could be ruined enough by a publisher that I wouldn't like the next book. I was wrong. The next book Tower Lord which came out earlier this month was just not very good at all. I was curious to see what others thought about the book and checked out the reviews on amazon. Many people felt the same way I did and the reviews reflected it. But there was also a large number of 5 star ratings that I was surprised at. So I went down to the forum below the reviews and found a post made by a reader that was talking about fake reviews supplied by the publisher. A good number of other readers posted that they agreed with him. I have no way of knowing if he's correct but it's hard for me to believe that people think that this book was anywhere near as good as the first.

So anyway David called this one and was dead on with his prediction. They probably have poor Mr. Ryan chained up in a London basement forcing him to churn out more drivel as we speak.

[Ronald Dukarski]

I can envision an editor or maybe first readers messing with an author's manuscript, but a publisher? How would that work? Maybe rushing it to print? Hounding him to "just get it done." I don't understand how a publisher would benefit from inferior work. Not saying it wouldn't or couldn't work, but why? Or is it the publisher doesn't really care about quality? Don't get it.

[twips182]

I think the part of the publishing contract that addresses that is called "The delivery and acceptance clause". If the publisher doesn't like the manuscript "In both form and content" they can send it back to the author to make changes. If they don't like what you send back to them "Publication is at the discretion of the publisher." I'd be willing to bet that the only authors that have full control over their work after signing on with the big boys are guys like Stephen King. Of course I just looked up a publishing contract and have no way of knowing how flexible they are with new writers on the conditions of the contract. I assume it's a lot like the contracts musicians sign and look at all the battles that have taken place between bands and record companies.

[Ronald Dukarski]

I guess I can see how an acceptance clause could promote a "least common denominator" quality to a book. But I don't want to believe an author would deliver an inferior product, unless they were trying to get out of said contract, even if destroyed their credibility. Hmmm...

[Ronald Dukarski]

Hey Twips, just ran into this in Popular Mechanics, of all places. An article entitled Artisanal Ice. Supposedly, ice frozen naturally is denser than ice frozen as is normally done at home or by most ice suppliers. It seems conventional ice making does it from the outside in, in small cubes or blocks to freeze it quickly. Nature freezes water from the top down stacking layers very densely, which, according to the article, causes the ice to thaw slower, therefore keeping a drink colder longer with less dilution. To make artisans ice at home, they say to pour purified water into a small insulated cooler, leaving the top off. After it freezes, turn the cooler over get the ice out. Let the ice rest to temper (?) Chip the ice to desired size and CHEERS!

[ArgyrosfeniX]

Sounds like a bit of hassle to create denser ice... Twips! This requires careful study! Do you accept your mission?!?

[twips182]

Quite simply an earth shaking revelation and I will attend to it at once! Well after I have my Fruity Pebbles of course. I like to put them in a 16 ounce blue plastic cup with milk. But then I place a paper towel over the top and let them ferment until they have absorbed all the milk before eating. So it could be just a little bit.

[Ronald Dukarski]

I've noted that the fermentation process can be accelerated if you add about two fingers of scotch.

[twips182]

A worthy suggestion Ron thank you