|
Slim Randles' Home Country
Truth be told
Send a link to a friend
[MAY
27, 2006]
Dud came in chirping like a
squirrel the other day, making us all grin, 'cause as Dud goes, so
seems to go the day. If he's happy, the trees are happy. If he's
sad, plumbing stops working all over town. Or at least it seems that
way. He's contagious. |
|
"Hey Doc, guys, isn't it a beautiful day? I woke up this morning and
said I really should go down and have coffee at the Mule Barn and
check to see how the guys are getting along." "You mean," said
Doc, "like you do every day?"
"Well… yeah, I guess."
Then we gave him the silent look. Steve glanced at his watch.
With Dud, you don't have to ask, as he'll tell you exactly what's
up. But he does enjoy some coaxing, and we weren't going to give it
to him. It's a little game we have here at the philosophy counter
and world dilemma think tank. Everyone needs a hobby.
"Guess what, guys!" Dud said.
"Nine seconds," said Steve.
"What?"
"Nothing. What were you saying?"
"Well, I started back working on that book again."
"Is that the mystery that got rejected because it had eight
murders in the first chapter?"
"Yep. That's the one, Doc. But I decided to cut out some of those
murders -- you know, the way the publisher suggested."
[to top of second
column]
 |
"How many?"
"I left in two murders," Dud said. "I really hated to cut those
others, because I realize the need to keep the reader on the edge of
his seat. I mean, you have to keep up the suspense, make them wonder
what's going to happen next."
"You know, Dud," said Steve, "if I had two murders to think about
in the first chapter, I believe I'd be willing to slog through two
or three more chapters to see what's going to happen, even if nobody
died for several thousand words."
"You mean, like read about the police work and all that clue
stuff?"
"Hey, I'd hang with it that long, yeah…"
"So you don't think I'd need to put in any more killings until
maybe Chapter 6?"
"Maybe even 7."
[Slim Randles]
Brought to you by
"Sun Dog Days,"
now on sale at bookstores everywhere, or from www.unmpress.com.
|
