Al asked Amy Spector:

I notice the prominence of bubble gums, bubble bath and bubble butts in your writings. To what do you attribute this fixation on all things bubble ?

Amy Spector As always Mr. Stewart, a very astute question. I thank you for asking.

When it comes to dating, I have long been an advocate of the Campfire Rule.

Now, stay with me here.

The Campfire Rule merely states that when dating someone younger—read, less experienced—you work hard to leave them in better condition than they were when you found them.

I believe the same rule goes for writers. We have a responsibility, nay, a duty to leave our readers in a better condition than when they picked up our book.

Sadly, not all authors follow this rule.

I have long believed that Roald Dahl did a terrible disservice to the world as a whole—and gum manufacturers specifically—when he introduced Violet Beauregarde. Dahl presents Violet's trophy winning gum chewing abilities as poor manners and not as the impressive achievement that it was. Violet Beauregarde should have been praised for her accomplishment, not made to look fat and then rolled away by Oompa-Loompas.

Then there is the L. Frank Baum travesty that is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Never in the history of fiction, has a minority group been slandered to a worse degree. To blatantly state that there are people that can't get wet is no less horrible than to imply that women can't drive well, men never ask for directions, or that all gay men wear women's underwear. (Sadly, that last one isn't true either.)

Stereotypes do a disservice to mankind.

There have certainly been other books that have tried to undue the damage done by the unthinking, or uncaring Baum.

But I want to do my part as well.

If you are ever asked about the Wiccan agenda, it is simple. They want people to know they can bathe like everybody else. And look good while doing it.

As responsible writers, I feel we should be doing all we can to repair the damage done by these insensitive, deceitful, authors that thrive on spewing hate.

As for bubble butts. Well, I've just always been a fan of an onion ass. An ass so nice it can make you cry.

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