DCML Digest Issue 14

[Don Rosa]

> From: kimba1962 at comcast.net
> Subject: Question re "Dream of a Lifetime"
> I've recently read "Dream of a Lifetime" (SEVERAL times, so as to
> catch all the LATOSM references) and while I enjoyed the artistry
> and cleverness of the story, I'm curious as to why Gemstone
> and/or Rosa didn't accompany it with an article cross-referencing
> the source of the "dream" references.  I can't help but think
> that SOME readers didn't get quite as much out of the tale as
> they might have had they been provided this additional
> information.  Don, Gary, any comments on this?
> Chris Barat

I have not seen that issue yet, but I am more disappointed than anyone about
that missing text. I'm not sure why the editor did not let me know that he
had that story scheduled and wanted an annotated text to go with it as he
had done with the other of my stories to appear in the Gemstones. The text
that I have *right here* waiting to supply, written for the Euro market,
tells many facts about the story and features a cross-referenced list of
story titles and dates in $crooge's life that his dreams involve. I always
look forward to the appearance of one of my stories in a Gemstone to be what
I've been waiting for since I created that story... this is the version that
I want to be proudest of, naturally. So, I'm really sad when something
happens that weakens the presentation to be less than what it might have
been, especially when it could have been so easily avoided with better
communication. But I don't nag these poor overworked editors, I wait for
them to tell me what they are doing and what they need.
I have a list of upcoming uses of my stories in future Gemstone issues, so I
hope to make sure the editor is supplied with texts and alternate versions
of art and covers and pin-ups that can accompany each one.

> From: "Daniel J. Neyer" <jerryblake2 at juno.com>
> Subject: Another Dream of a Lifetime question
> Something about DREAM I forgot to ask--I recognized J. J., Scrooge's
> millionaire friend who tried to buy the Candy-Striped Ruby in Life and
> Times Chapter 11, in the Titanic sequence. What historical character is
> J. J. supposed to be?

John Jacob Astor.