Angie Fox won an Smart Bitch Interview in the Brenda Novak Diabetes auction, prompting me to freak the hell out because dude, I don’t know of a single question that would adequately measure up to the bid she made to fight diabetes and be interviewed by yours truly. So first and foremost, thanks to Angie for supporting a great cause, and giving me an inferiority complex that is barely contained by my undershorts. Onward to the interview!
Sarah: Ok, the obvious part! Pimp your book in a handful of words!
Angie:Newly anointed with demon-fighting powers and suddenly able to hear the thoughts of her hilarious Jack Russell terrier, a preschool teacher finds a whole new world of dark and dangerous, including a sexy shape-shifting griffin she’s not entirely sure she can trust.
Sarah: If your book were a food, which one would it be?
Angie: If the book were a food, I’d have to say it’s like hot apple pie right out of the oven – sweet, warm and a bit flaky.
Sarah: In your initial email to me, you mentioned that you’d written three serious mysteries before you “relaxed and found your voice.” Nosy Sarah says, “Moar pls?”
Angie: I spent a lot of years as a writer thinking that in order to connect with my readers or to say something with my books, I had to take things very seriously. I outlined (more than any one person should), I made charts, I filled out stacks of colored note cards. Basically, I took every bit of advice I’d ever heard on writing and incorporated them all. Because eighteen methods are better than one, right?
Well the result was that I wrote three mysteries that didn’t sell. A few of my rejections said the mysteries were “too funny,” so I was trying my darndest to be serious. At all costs. But my natural voice is lighter and I had to fight every instinct I had in order to make my stories ultra dark.
That kind of thing will wear you out after awhile. So I said the heck with it. I decided to write what I wanted to write. And one night, I started thinking about what would happen if a preschool teacher who wants nothing more than to be normal, learns she’s a demon slayer. And what if she has no idea how to fulfill her destiny and has to learn along the way? And what if, to escape the demons out to get her before she’s ready, she’s forced to run off with her long-lost Grandma’s gang of geriatric biker witches? It amused me. I’ve always been a sucker for a reluctant heroine (and I think I watched too many episodes of The Greatest American Hero as a kid).
I chucked the note cards, started writing, and the story unfolded from there. Instead of ending my writing sessions thinking, “I hope an editor will like this,” I ended them thinking. “No. I did not just write that. I did not just make my character defend herself with a toilet brush and a can of Purple Prairie Cover air freshener.” I couldn’t wait to get back to the keyboard every day and finished the book in just under five months. It felt right, natural. And before I had a chance to think about it too hard, The Accidental Demon Slayer sold (less than a week after I finished it). When I told my editor how much fun I had with the story, she said, “I can tell. That’s why I bought it.”
Even more important, I learned that you can indeed write a lighthearted book with a serious side. The Accidental Demon Slayer is about finding out who you really are. It’s about the strength you find when you have the courage to forgive. And most of all, it illustrates something that’s all too easy to forget – that while loving yourself (and your family) can take work, it’s worth every bit of the battle.
Sarah: What is this about biker dogs in your quest for research?
Angie: There is a gang of geriatric biker witches in my book, and I ended up doing research with a lot of real-life Harley riders. Then there’s also a dog character in the book, yet I had to get him on a Harley. I ended up meeting all kinds of Harleyriders who ride with their dogs. It’s the wildest thing. You should see how excited they get when they know they’re going to ride. It’s like doggie heaven – wind in your face all the time.
Before this, I thought research meant talking to experts, reading books or surfing the internet. I found myself on the back of a coal black Harley, behind a guy named Stone, with my helmet on backwards and an Irish Setter in tow. The dog’s name was Frankie and I can tell you right now, Frankie knew a lot more about motorcycles than I did.
It was my fault, really. When I sat down to write The Accidental Demon Slayer, I had no notes about dogs on motorcycles. But in the second chapter, when my heroine learns she’s a demon slayer and all hell is after her, she takes comfort in her dog. It was a sweet moment. And as I wrote it, I thought, ‘How do I throw her off?’
I made Pirate, the dog, say something to my heroine. Nothing big. After all, he’s only after the fettuccine from last week. And he knows exactly where she 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, and I fell in love with Pirate the dog. Then I realized I was writing about motorcycle riding biker witches.
How do you get a dog on a motorcycle?
Well, I went online and learned that there is a nationwide club of Harley bikers who ride with their dogs. So my heroine could have her pink Harley, and her Jack Russell Terrier too.
And of course I had to meet these Harley riding dog lovers. I called up a few of the members of the Biker Dogs Motorcycle Club and the adventure began. They invited me into their homes, introduced me to their dogs and, like my heroine, the bikers hoisted me up on the back of a Harley, with a dog in tow.
Stone, the biker who spent the most time making sure I didn’t fall off his hog, showed me how to ride, invited me to some biker rallies (note to self: don’t wear pink next time), and helped make The Accidental Demon Slayer as real as it can be (for a book about a somewhat sheltered preschool teacher turned demon slayer).
So just when I thought I was writing fiction, it seemed my made-up characters from The Accidental Demon Slayer weren’t so imaginary after all. One of the bikers I met even has a wife who is a biker witch. I’m wondering if she, like my heroine’s biker witch grandma, wears a “kiss my asphalt” t-shirt and carries a carpet bag full of Smuckers jars filled with magic. I like to tell people that maybe I’ll find out on my next adventure
Has all this interviewing madness made you curious? I’ve got five copies of The Accidental Demon Slayer to give away. How to win? Leave a comment. And for extra more gooder fun, visit Angie’s website and find out your Your Biker Witch Name, and let us know what it is.
Mine, for the record, is Fast Frankie Pothole Jumper. But you can call me “PJ” for short.
But wait, there’s more! So long as your anointing yourself with a biker name, head on over to Angie’s site for a contest wherein, if you art the winner, you get a role in her next book, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers
My name is Rubber Neck Reba Fancy Pants. And my pants might be fancy, but you won’t find me rubber necking- I’ll be flying by too fast to care! 😛
Yes please.
Signed,
Hog Wild Harriet Steel Butt
I’m not sure about this. Can steel butts have still have cellulite?
My name is Hog Wild Harriet Uni-Brow and this interview has left me dead curious, another book on to go on the must get list. *sigh*
OK, this sounds hilarious. I’ll have to get it for my mother; she has a Jack Russell terrier that she adores.
-Liz
book13—how approprite is that?
I adore my biker witch name – Easy Edna Flat Foot.
I am laughing before I even get to read the book. Count me in!
This book just went on my TBR list. It sounds like such a kick in the pants.
Your Truly
Mosquito Bite Marcie Pothole Jumper
Leggy Lucy Hard Rider here. This sounds like a fun book. I’m a sucker for a clever dog!
Kathy
Looney Libby Pothole Jumper. I’m apparently your sister, Sarah. Or maybe third cousin once removed who turns out to be the villainess?
Another “Rubber Neck Reba No Pants” here….
What a fun interview! This book sounds like a scream. Sign me up for the drawing, please . . .
Luv,
Looney Libby Steel Butt
This sounds great…Sounds like it will be a fun read…
Signed,
Spaghetti Neck Stella No Pants
(is that pants as in trousers or pants as in underwear…oh, this could go so wrong so quickly)
Pretzel Legged Peggy Windy Pants
Wtf??? I am not pretzel legged!
I’m not even going to mention the ending part of the name…
Pretzel Legged Peggy Steel Butt-proud memeber of the Butt Clan, I guess. There’s a joke in there somewhere, it’s just too early to get it out.
LOL, another fun interview Angie! Excellent!
Don’t sign me up for the draw – I already read (and enjoyed very much) The Accidental Demon Slayer – you guys are in for a treat.
The geriatric witches , the talking dog, the fact that Lizzie is incapable of cursing because she is a pre-school teacher , all makes for a very fun read.
Sounds awesome.
Signed
Linda the Lush Fancy Pants
Lust Lucinda Flat Foot would dearly love to read this story!
Srsly!
kthx!
Fast Frankie Bumpy Pants here saying maybe I need to work on the Bumpy Pants bit. But if I read this book, I might just laugh my butt off, making the pants a wee bit less bumpy? Works for me.
Linda the Lush Fast Pants is putting this in her TBR pile. This sounds freakin hilarious 🙂
low97 – Are these pants supposed to do that ?
Ooh, WANT. This book sounds *awesome*—and so does Angie, actually. I’m definitely putting this on the “buy ASAPATDID” (that’s “as soon as possible after the dissertiation is done”) list.
-Candy Knickers Pothole Jumper
(Candy Knickers!!)
Two Date Tessa No Brakes
Errrr … Well, that’s interesting. *Raises eyebrow* Does the “No Brakes” refer to the biker part of this name or the “Two Date” part … or do I want to know?
hilarity! My parent Jack Russell would have been a biker dog but instead he had to settle for a Jeep and a Tractor
Spaghetti Neck Stella Steel Butt
Steel Butt, Iron Butt – really, what’s the difference?
Fast Frankie Windy Pants.
I seem to have some relatives here. Hilarious interview, too.
Don’t enter me in the drawing. I’ve got a kid w/ Type 1. I’ll buy the book. Thanks for supporting the auction.
This sounds hilarious
Yours,
Two Date Tessa Lug Nut
aka Natasha
Ooo, I’ll play! The book sounds fun, fun, fun. 🙂
And my name?
Owl Eyed Olive Steel Butt—LOVE it.
Lusty Lucinda Flat Foot here and I would love to read this book! Ms. Fox’s “voice” in the interview made me want to read her author “voice”!
I think this sounds great. I am going to have to hunt this one down.
Your Friend
Mantrap Marcie Bumpy Pants
Candy Knickers Hard Rider
And my first thought was “wouldn’t that be kind of sticky?” I suppose it’s better than Hard Candy Knickers Rider.
I really want to read this book now—it sounds like the perfect thing to take my mind off of my dissertation.
Mine is Candy Knickers Pothole Jumper. And now all I can imagine is a pair of edible undies jumping over a pot hole.
That sounds hilarious! I would love to read that book.
Yours,
Leggy Lucy Hard Rider
I need to read this book more than I need to breathe. It sounds right up my alley. Unfortunately, my husband has placed a book-buying moratorium on our house ever since he realized that I spent $70 on books last week. Oops.
PICK ME!
If the interview made me grin, the book itself is a definate must read.
And so says Lusty Lucinda Windy Pants.
(I might use that as a pen name.)
The Accidental Demonslayer sounds fantastic!
You’re far more disciplined than I am, Snarkhunter … sorry, Mz Candy Knickers. I don’t even have a ASAPATNCOTDDID (as soon as possible after the next chapter of the dratted dissertation is done”) list. 🙂
Cheers,
Skullcap Sue Wheelie-Gig
Defintely a must-read. And please refer to me as Mantrap Marcie Wheelie-Gig from now on! Thanks for the great interview!!
Loser Lucy Four Wheels is my name.
Ok, not really, but it fits. The book sounds great! Must get.
Dude! Very interested. I’m Skullcap Sue Flat Foot, which might me more accurate if I didn’t have ridiculously high arches . . .
Also, I want to be a geriatric biker witch. With a dog.
Mosquito Bite Marcie Bumpy Pants here just popping in to say hi to all my fellow Bumpy Pants and I want that book!
Candy Knickers Pothole Jumper
Looks like a fun book!
This sounds like a fun book.
Signed,
Hog Wild Harriet Uni-Brow