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
Hey, Angie. Fellow RCRW here. What an inspiring story about finding your voice. From the excerpt, I can see why the editor snapped it up. In a week! Sweet.
Spaghetti Neck Stella No Brakes
Hah! Not really. But I am turning the thing in to my committee in two weeks—and all of next week I’m going to be at Dickens Camp. So I basically have like 3 days in which to finish. Fortunately, I am (mostly) done. Just down to the tinkering and the [insert long stream of very, very creative foul language here] introduction revisions and conclusion.
Because of frantic lack of time, I haven’t cracked a new book for fun in weeks.
Great interview. Sounds like a fun read.
Signed,
Buck Toothed Betty No Brakes
Ooh, sounds like a fun book. Though I heartily disagree with my biker witch name. Linda the Lush Uni-Brow. Nope, my brows are rather scrawny and no uni-brow in sight.
This book sounds like just the sort of pick me up I need. Also, I have a Jack Russell called Judy. That seals the deal, right?
Skullcap Sue Fast Pants
Rubber Neck Reba No Brakes
Oh the irony of needing to get my car inspected soon and being a No Brakes. *sigh* At least it’s more exciting than the last time someone gave me a ‘Reba’ nickname.
Excited about meeting Angie at Chick Lit & Chocolate in August!
I break my longtime lurking cover to report my name as Mosquito Bite Marcie Windy Pants. Infinitely better than my real last name, anyway…..
Veronica Windy Pants?
I want a book! Please!
Hugs and kisses ~
Lusty Lucinda Wheelie-Gig
Is a wheelie-gig a real object?
I’m cool with the Lusty Lucinda part tho!
Oh, this sounds like a Must Read. Please enter Two Date Tessa Lug Nut in the contest, although normally I answer to Chicklet.
KCfla!
You have my name. Gasp! Lets make a club!
Lusty Lucinda Wheelie-Gig
I am, quite appropriately, Chesty Drawers Fast Pants, and I am looking forward to reading Angie’s book!
Now I totally hate you. I still have another 100, or maybe 200 pages to go. *sigh* But hey, the dissertation is the perfect excuse to go on a research trip to London this autumn! 🙂
Good luck with your introduction and conclusion!
Sounds hilarious…we all knew that a toilet brush should be multi-purpose, right?
~Mantrap Marcie Lug Nut
You’re cracking me up here. I had no idea there were so many lusty women around here, not to mention those of you with steel butts.
So glad everyone is having fun with the quiz – it was a kick to write, as was the book. 🙂
My Biker Witch Name is Fast Frankie Fast Pants. A name my husband will definitely love….
Paranormal Romance is my favourite and this book sounds like a must read, combining humour with the most original demon fighting heroine I’ve heard of!! lol
And, with the addition of a dog as a sidekick which, I love (there are 3 living with me), the book is now on my TBR list. .
So, to Angie Fox I say – kudos!!!
Fast Frankie of the Steel Butt clan says count me in!
Leggy Lucy Bumpy Pants…heh, I am not so leggy, but I’m giggling so hard over the “bumpy pants” part…
Chesty Drawers Lug Nut here….
The book sounds great! I’d love to be in the drawing. 🙂
Candy Knickers Pothole Jumper… um…
anyway – it sounds like a great read and is now going on the pile
Thanks!
Oooh, must read!! I would love to win a copy of this one, but if not I am sure to put it on my must buy to read list!!
And my name is:
Mosquito Bite Marcie Steel Butt
Hmmm. “Mosquito Bite” used to be a derogatory name for the flat chested when I was a youngster, which I most decidedly am not..;)
And “Steel Butt”
. How I wish!!!
My husband is about to buy his first motorcycle, and I used to work for a Harley mag. Does that qualify? This book sounds like a scream!
-Spaghetti Neck Stella Steel Butt (I wish…I don’t think I’ve ever had buns of steel…)
Pretzel Legged Peggy Lug Nut
I love it!
Another Rubber Neck Reba Fancy Pants who would love to get hold of this book…
You can also color me jealous, snarkhunter, both about the dissertation and the intriguing sound of “Dickens Camp.” Good luck with that stuff!
This sounds great. I love the food description of the book. Mmmmmm… it made me hungry.
I love the motorcycle topic. I’m more a sports bike fan, but harleys are cool too. Nothing better than riding on my hubby’s busa with him.
My name is apparently Mosquito Bite Marcie No Brakes. Interesting.
Two Date Tessa No Pants
Awesome sauce! This books sounds super good.
Ooh, now I’m jealous!! The most exotic location I got to visit for my research was the New York Public Library. Oh, and the Houghton up at Harvard. Exciting! (Actually, it was. I love libraries. But London! I’ve never been to England. And my dissertation is on 19th century British poetry!)
Owl Eyed Olive No Pants
I must now read this book.
Leggy Lucy Lug Nut in da house!!!
Oh! That sounds like a great book!
Please include me in the contest.
-Candy Knickers Bumpy Pants
My name is Mantrap Marcie Uni-brow.
. . . well, whaddaya know.
Crumple Toed Chessie Fancy Pants
That’s me! The last time I was on a motorcycle, I got road rash scars. Can’t wait to read how the pre-school teacher does on a bike. I’ll be looking for this one in the bookstore if I’m not lucky enough to win a copy.
Spaghetti Neck Stella Steel Butt
Wow I have always wanted a ridiculous number of contrived middle names.
Enter me in the contest please…
I wonder if there are any biker gangs that take their cats on the road. I am 90% sure I couldn’t sedate any of mine enough to get on a motorcycle, but there has to be some adventurous feline out there who would love to feel the wind in their whiskers.
I’m Looney Libby Lug Nut. What do you think the odds are I can actually convince the husband to start calling me that?
Oh WOW this sounds awesome. *grabby hands*
….apparently I am Chesty Drawers No Pants. WOO.
I’d definitely be interested to read some by Angie
Skullcap Sue Uni-Brow
That sounds attractive
Pretzel Legged Peggy Hard Rider-heh. I might actually use it in some social situation, if you want the truth.
And my dog totally wants to be a Harley Dog. Every time we pull up next to a biker at a stoplight, he practically hikes himself out the window to make friends. He’s not friendly to other car drivers, just bikers.
I wonder if he’s got a leather jacket in his closet or something….
Sounds like a very cool book. I’d love to read it!
Kerry, aka yet another Rubber Neck Reba Windy Pants
Sounds like fun, and I need fun!
Buck Toothed Betty No Pants
Ooh, ooh ooh! Pick me, bitches, I’m ever so smart!
—Skullcap Sue Wheelie-Gig