Angie Fox learns a lesson: be careful what you write
I have to admit, one of my favorite things about being an author is having an excuse to do kinds of crazy research. In the name of fact-finding, I’ve ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (I’m still working up the courage to try it).
This latest book, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, is no exception.
It was a blast to write, and I learned a valuable lesson too: be careful what you put on paper…because it may just send you to some, ahem, unusual places. See, I write about a reluctant demon slayer forced to run off with a gang of geriatric biker witches. Add that to the fact that I tend to write what amuses me and you have a recipe for trouble.
When I was writing the end of my first book, The accidental Demon Slayer, this joke about Las Vegas popped into my head and I thought, “why not?” Lizzie is just about to kiss her man when she’s interrupted and told she and the gang have to head to Las Vegas to save her long lost uncle from marrying a succubus. Kind of fun. At least it made me smile. I was an unpublished writer at the time.
But then the book sold. Better still, The Accidental Demon Slayer hit the New York Times bestseller list. My publisher wanted more. Heck, I wanted to write more. I remember being on the phone with my editor and she said, “so you’re going to Las Vegas, right?”Oh yeah.
I admit it. I had these images of cool hotels and shows in my head. Then reality hit. I write about biker witches and a preschool teacher turned demon slayer. These folks don’t have a lot of spare cash lying around. This wasn’t my trip – it was theirs. Good thing I like odd adventures. And my friends do too.
One in particular – my friend Aileen – is a sucker for anything strange and unusual. So I talked her into a long weekend and we headed to Vegas to see and experience the biker witch version of Sin City. We stayed in the cheesiest hotels we could find. We ate at Bob’s Big Boy. We even visited a dude ranch with armadillos, a boar and several very old chickens.
We were able to talk our way into some behind-the-scenes places as well. The climax of The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers takes place inside the Hoover Dam, and we were lucky enough to be invited to see first-hand what I’d be writing about. A guide took us far down into the inspection tunnels they used in the 1930’s and 40’s, when the cement was still curing. It was amazing to see the notes these inspectors made on the walls, to hear the stories of those that didn’t quite make it out and to walk the same old metal steps that they did. All of that made it into The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, along with lots of things I had a blast making up (this is fiction after all).
To continue the fun, I’ve developed a highly un-scientific
Are You Part Demon Slayer? Click here to take the Quiz
Post your score below and enter to win a copy of The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers.
This was a great post, i got alot out of it. I’d like to add your news feed to my biker site at https://www.bikerunity.com but cannot find it, do you have one available? I’ll return later for your answer. Thanks
Thanks for hanging out with me this past week. The winner of the book is Ashley A! Email me your address at angie @angiefox.com and I’ll mail it out to you. 🙂
Fun quiz! I am 57% demon slayer.
I’m a measly 49%, but I love those wedding rubber duckies up there!! 🙂
Lois
You can be my field agent.
I was in New Orleans twice in 1997 loved it and haven’t gotten back since,
I am itching to go LOL so just give me a reason
PK
Oh I’m having a ball with the research – and the characters. Every bit of it has me dying to go to New Orleans. My husband was all set (he wasn’t going to miss this research trip), but I just can’t make it work with my book deadlines. Lots ‘o things due. Of course I’ve been to New Orleans three times in the last five years, but still…
MMMMMM now you’re speaking my language, a New Orleans novella involving voodoo sounds very interesting. I love New Orleans can I go along for the research *wink*.
Love & Hugs,
Pam Keener in Pa
Nice going, Beth. Now do you have a talking terrier that you can recruit to help you in your demon slaying efforts? A cat would do too – as long as you can keep the kitty on your Harley.
I am 70% demon slayer!
I am 70% demon slayer!
Very cool. Thanks for playing, Crystal B!
I am 78 percent demon slayer.
Thanks, Karen. Biker Chihuahuas can be tough! And if they’re not, I wouldn’t recommend telling them that.
Thanks, Maureen. I need to start setting these books in exotic locations – for research purposes, of course.
Thanks, Phyllis. I sure will. What’s funny is that you don’t always plan the research. I think some of the most fun I’ve had is with the Harley biker riders and their dogs and that was totally unplanned. Well, I did want Harley riding witches in the book, but Pirate the dog was one of those characters that just came as I was writing the book.
In the second chapter of The Accidental Demon Slayer (the original book) when Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer and there are some very scary, very angry creatures on her tail, she takes comfort in her dog. As I was writing, I thought, ‘This is a sweet moment. Now how do I throw her off?’
I made the dog say something to her. Nothing big. After all, he’s only after the fettuccine from last week. And he knows exactly where Lizzie can find it (back of the fridge, to the left of the lettuce crisper, behind the mustard). It amused me, so I did it. Thanks to her unholy powers, Lizzie can now understand her smart-mouthed Jack Russell Terrier. I ended up having a ball with it. But then of course I had to figure out how to get a Jack Russell Terrier on a Harley. That’s when I found out about Harley biker dogs and the rest is history. 🙂
Loved the picture of the biker Chihauhau! Alas, I’m only 37% demon slayer!
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun and I am 57% demon slayer.
Okay, I’m 78% demon slayer. I love your comment that being an author gives you an excuse for doing crazy research. Keep up the researching and writing!
Woo hoo, LJ! Nice work. We may need you to head to Las Vegas in the near future…
Thanks, Pam S! Great score, too. Perhaps you gained some demon slaying skills by reading the first book.
I do have other projects in the works. The first is a vampire story (completely new characters in a new world) in the next Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, due out on October 31 of this year. Then I’m working on a New Orleans/voodoo novella (talk about fun research) for another anthology (I’m positively busting about this one, but not at liberty to officially announce the title or who else is in it). That’s out the month before the third demon slayer book (Jan 2010).
Hey, Pam. I’m hoping we made a few converts. There is no reason men can’t read romance – even biker guys.
Thanks, Gigi. It is a lot of fun. Anything for the books, right?
Hi Angie, sounds like you have some great adventures. I took the quiz and I am 61% Demon Slayer.
Hi Angie, I had to take your quiz, results – 78% demon slayer.
It sounds like the research for your stories was tons of fun! I have Accidental Demon Slayer and can’t wait to get book #2 ! Do you have other works in progress aside from your wonderful Demon Slayer series :)?
Best Wishes to you!
74% demon slayer. You sure have a lot of fun doing your research Angie. I can just picture those bikers in the romance section at the book store, lol.
i really enjoyed reading your post Angie.
I bet the travel for research is really fun and exciting.
More than half demon slayer, Sherry – very good!
Nice, Pam. We have to find you some switch stars, maybe a medieval weapon or two.
I’m 53% demon slayer.
I scored 82% lol. I didn’t realize I was that much trouble lol.
Nice score, Breia. And remember – you can use your score to enter to win a walk-on role in the next Accidental Demon Slayer book. I just put the contest up today:
https://angiefox.wordpress.com/posts/
I am 78% Demon Slayer.
LOL It doesn’t mean you’re not 43% trouble, but we’ll take the 57% slayer all the same.
Congratulations!
You are 57% demon slayer.
Maybe not such a bad girl after all. lol
Enjoyed reading your post!
The Hell’s Angels are in a league of their own. I did get a bunch of bikers to wander the romance aisle at Borders when The Accidental Demon Slayer came out. These were guys that helped me do biker research for the book and they wanted to “sneak in” and get their copies, although doing any kind of sneaking in leather and chains is kind of difficult.
These guys were fascinated by some of the sexy covers. One of the guys even bought some sexy romances “for his girlfriend” which is funny because last I heard, he lived alone with his dog.
LOL Angie.
My dad had friends who were in the Hell’s Angels. And I loved hanging out with some of them. But then some of them were down right scary…hahaha.
As I got older I hung out with quite a few different biker gangs. What a blast it was.
I am ready for summer and the motorcycle is calling my name 🙂
Billie Jo
Yow, Caffey – another crazy high score. Good for you!
There are going to be five books in the series. In the third book (that I’m writing right now), Lizzie really comes into her own as a slayer. Then the next two books are about how an “accidental” demon slayer can be the most powerful of them all. (i.e. When you come from the outside, you can see things differently and shape new worlds.)
My cover artist is really cool. I love the medieval weapons she keeps coming up with. Lizzie uses switch stars in the books, but my publisher thought those would be too hard to show on a cover, so the artist just keeps coming up with funky weapons. I’m actually going to try to insert a joke about that in book 3, if I can make it work.
Hi Martha – thanks for playing! You wouldn’t believe the things I saw while researching this book – especially at that crazy petting zoo/ranch on the outskirts of Vegas. They did serve good vanilla ice cream, though. Err…I mean, I worked my fingers to the bone. Yeah, that’s it.
Woo hoo, Amy! You’re more than half slayer. Now you have to keep your eyes peeled for hot, sexy griffin shapeshifters.
Hi Angie!!! Wow I’m 86% demon slayer, LOL. That was a blast to do! They gave you an awesome cover for book two too!! Congrats on the new book!
How many more to come in the series? Is it ongoing? Love series!
Hi Angie – Another RJR friend saying “hi” for Cat! I’m only 53% demon slayer… well that is better than I expected to get! 🙂 The book sounds like great fun!! And it sounds like you had fun researching too! Thanks for sharing with us!
Congratulations!
You are 57% demon slayer.
Okay, Pam – do you really want to be 100% demon slayer? That would put you smack dab in Vegas with Lizzie and about twenty succubi. Then again, you’d also have Dimitri, so maybe it’s not that bad of a deal after all!
And yay that you had so much fun with The Accidental Demon Slayer. That book was a blast to write. I can’t wait until Dangerous Book is finally out. Two more weeks!
I am 78% Demon Slayer!!!!!!
WAHHHHHHHHHHH I wanna be 100%
Angie I have preordered your book through Amazon as soon as I finished reading the Accidental Demon Slayer. I can hardly wait!
Love & Hugs, Pam Keener in PA
Glad to hear it, Debby and wow – I think you have the high score on the demon slayer quiz. Nice work. There will be some biker witches showing up at your door in a couple of minutes.
Thanks, Billie Jo. Biker gangs are a hoot – anything for research, right? At least that’s what I told Stone the last time he handed me a beer.
I’m really excited about this next book. There’s just so much to do in Vegas, especially when you’re with biker witches and a dog who loves to eat.
Go Cathy! Nice score. Now we just need to find you a Jack Russell Terrier sidekick.
I am 82% demon slayer. I enjoyed your post. I added your book to my list.
Hi Angie!
I am a huge fan of yours and so glad to see you here.
I am 65% Demon Slayer…LOL
Loved your blog on some wonderful experiences you have done in the name of research. Aren’t biker gangs fun? LOL
Can’t wait to read your newest book
Billie Jo
I ended up 65% demon slayer.
Thanks, Carol. I did come up with that title. So far, I’ve gotten to keep all of the titles for this series.
A Tale of Two Demon Slayers could change, though. My editor is wondering if it is sexy enough, but I really love it too, so I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that it stays the same. Plus, it fits the book. That’s important to me. It always irks me as a reader if I pick up a book with a fun title that has nothing to do with the actual book. I want to make sure I never do that to my readers.
Aw, thanks! And that’s a good friend to get you the book she liked. My friends and I pass books back and forth a lot, too.
I love the title, A Tale of Two Demon Slayers! Was it your title or did someone else pick it?
I could too… easily, but I’m being a good girl right now. Hopefully next week I can be bad and splurge a little. Though friend of mine got me one book I wanted because she wanted someone to talk about the book with! But you are definitely an author i wanna read
LOL I’m all about book temptation, Raonaid. I spent about a half hour at Barnes & Noble this afternoon, resisting the new release table. I did break down and by two books, but I could have bought a dozen.
This only makes me want to read your books even more. I have you on my “to buy list” but finances keep me from doing such. Gotta love bikers regardless!!
74%, Cat. Woo hoo! We have some high scores in this group. It must be all of the paranormal romance you read. It counts as research, you know.
Thanks, Lisa. I’m glad to hear you’re looking forward to The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers. This book was a blast to research and write. The biker witches (not to mention Pirate) can get into so much trouble in a place like Las Vegas. Now I’ve only been out there a few times in the last few years, so I can’t speak to how much Vegas has changed, only that it really is a destination all unto itself. What happens in Vegas…
Thanks, Cat. I had a ball at the Hoover Dam. Maybe it’s a throwback to those fun caving trips we took as a kid, but the deeper our guide took us, the more fun it was to see all of these places from the 1930’s and 40’s. For his part, he was very relieved that I was not claustrophobic.
Oh I just saw the link for the Demon Slayer and I’m 74%.
Hey! Okay, I have the contest up. Post your score on my website and win a chance to name a character in the next Accidental Demon Slayer book:
https://angiefox.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/are-you-part-demon-slayer/
I’m so thrilled I get this book at the end of this month threw my book club and can’t wait to get it. Thanks Angie for keeping up with the series. Oh boy I miss las vegas heard it change a lot from when I was out there fifteen years ago. Sigh!!
Hugs!
Lisa
Yep, Cat says Hi! I love your sense of humor and how interesting your behind the scenes at Hoover dam.
The way I figure it, anytime there’s a surprise that includes a skunk, you have to proceed with a bit of caution.
Nice demon slaying score. Looks like we’ll have to recruit you too. 🙂
Southern Skunk surprise? Never heard of that…can’t say I’m brave enough to try it either lol….
My score was: 78% demon slayer. 🙂 Cool!!
Thanks, Sabrina – you rock!
You’re going to have a blast in Vegas. That town is in a universe all by itself. Oh and Pirate the dog says you have to go by Joni Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom while you’re there. Good eats.
Aw, thanks, Joan. I’m actually headed over to my website too. I’m launching a new contest. Post your demon slayer quiz score and enter to name a character in the next book. You could really be a biker witch. At least that’s what last year’s winner chose to do.
LOL That’s okay, Ashley. It’s all about attitude anyway. 🙂
Oh – and I posted your cute demon slayer badge/image on my website at http://www.cheekyreads.com. It’s so much fun I had to share!
Thanks again,
Sabrina
It says I’m 68% demon slayer — that was a great quiz! Thanks!
I’m actually heading to vegas this weekend for the very first time. LOL!
I getting ready to go to the web site but I want to tell you…….that I have read so far is great. She has a great sense of humor!!
I can’t wait for this one to come out! I’m only 49% demon slayer lol!
Thanks, Carol! And wow – 78% slayer? We may need to recruit you.
There will be five books total in the series. I’m in the middle of writing the third one right now, tenatively titled A Tale of Two Demon Slayers. That will be out in early 2010.
I’m 78 percent demon slayer. 🙂
Hi Angie, Cat said to say Hi for her! I enjoyed reading your post. Your research sounds like a lot of fun and your books sound like ones I would really enjoy! How many books will there be in this series?
Hi everybody! Thanks for having me to chat today. 🙂