Question -- is this wrong to do?

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

Flat Matt

Deleted User
Apr 16, 2014
518
3,194
One can have a hunting rifle but the rules are strict. I cannot buy a handgun. If one were found in my car of my house...you can expect jail time...there is no tolerance at all. People still manage to get guns though...the bad folks. That does not say that we should let everyone carry them because the crooks have them. There are a lot of hot heads out there who would probably kill if a gun was in their hands.

It sounds as though your laws are exactly the same as ours. I wonder if that has anything to do with you being a commonwealth country? Given your location in the world, I'd have thought you'd have more in common with the US than the UK.

I really do need to visit Canada and the US. They're both on my list of places I have to visit one day.
 

Flat Matt

Deleted User
Apr 16, 2014
518
3,194
...I have had many variations here in the States and like it very much-though I'm sure the English variety is some better...a variant I would suggest is fresh Walleye-rolled in a corn meal batter and fried, with thin sliced red potatoes....

Interesting take on it.

I'm pretty sure the English batter is just eggs, flour and milk, but I can't be 100% sure about that, as it's not something anyone makes at home (you need to go to a "chippie" for proper fish and chips).

The chips are just thick cut fries (as you call them) that are kind of soggy and stuck together. Sounds disgusting, but they are damn delicious!

God bless America for KFC and corn dogs, though. I love that stuff!
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I have a question for Ms. Mod, considering her experience with Stephen King and writing. It's an ethical and legal question.

I'm sure you've read the news item about the unfortunate tragedy where a two-year-old shot his (her?) mother. Terrible event.

Perhaps just as unfortunately, an idea came to my mind for a short story based on it. It's not fully formed yet, and I probably shouldn't even say the idea, but I would have to use the basic details of the event.

If I did that and self-published it on Amazon, could I be sued for that? Is it wrong to do so? I think King has done stuff like this before, correct (I'm thinking of It and the beatings of some individuals in the book, early in the story?)? In today's age, though, I can put something on Amazon pretty quick...would it be too soon?

[ Moderator ]

Using an actual event that was reported as news takes it into the public sphere; as such, you could not be sued for using the event as a catalyst for a story. Using the actual names of the people involved would leave you open for legal wrangling, and using identifying details might take you to that place. Ethically, it's questionable, but that's all a matter of what you could live with. If you were to publish it through traditional publishing it would take enough time to go from rough draft to published copy that there would be some spatial distance from the event; self-pub... well, you can certainly push out any kind of thing there pretty quickly. It would likely offend a chunk of the self-pub readers, attract a few others, but it would pass under the radar of most readers in general.

IMHO.
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
Interesting take on it.

I'm pretty sure the English batter is just eggs, flour and milk, but I can't be 100% sure about that, as it's not something anyone makes at home (you need to go to a "chippie" for proper fish and chips).

The chips are just thick cut fries (as you call them) that are kind of soggy and stuck together. Sounds disgusting, but they are damn delicious!

God bless America for KFC and corn dogs, though. I love that stuff!
There would be baking powder in the batter as well. I cook fish and chips at home but also prepared them in restaruants. I prefer my deep battered cod with homemade chips coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce.
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
...cuz we is all bug-eyed, sister marryin', butt scratchin. beer swillin', Nascar watchin' 'Muricans....
redneck-republic.jpg
I'm not bug-eyed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neesy and GNTLGNT

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
I have a question for Ms. Mod, considering her experience with Stephen King and writing. It's an ethical and legal question.

I'm sure you've read the news item about the unfortunate tragedy where a two-year-old shot his (her?) mother. Terrible event.

Perhaps just as unfortunately, an idea came to my mind for a short story based on it. It's not fully formed yet, and I probably shouldn't even say the idea, but I would have to use the basic details of the event.

If I did that and self-published it on Amazon, could I be sued for that? Is it wrong to do so? I think King has done stuff like this before, correct (I'm thinking of It and the beatings of some individuals in the book, early in the story?)? In today's age, though, I can put something on Amazon pretty quick...would it be too soon?

[ Moderator ]
I see no reason not to start writing the story. What you have to say in it is a matter of art or it isn't. I think you probably wouldn't have it finished and ready for publication too soon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neesy and GNTLGNT

baggy

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2012
82
205
Brisbane, Australia
Equal parts self raising flour & either beer or plain mineral water (ie: 1cup flour + 1cup liquid) makes a great batter for fish. I was born in UK (Coventry) but have lived in Australia for 50 years & love it. I'm waiting for the invention of a free teleporter to travel around the world :nerd:
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
It sounds as though your laws are exactly the same as ours. I wonder if that has anything to do with you being a commonwealth country? Given your location in the world, I'd have thought you'd have more in common with the US than the UK.

I really do need to visit Canada and the US. They're both on my list of places I have to visit one day.

Canada was once "the dominion of Canada" - it was only in 1966 or 1967 that we finally got our own flag. We were pretty much under British rule (more or less) for many years.

- and yes given that we share basically the longest undefended border in the world, we have some things in common with Americans.

Now, about that terminology "undefended border" maybe I am having a flashback to my school years. I know that since 9/11 it is recommended that even when traveling to the US, Canadians should carry a passport.