What kitchen supplies make a good flamethrower?
Feb 03, 2023 6:28 pm
The perils of research
My YouTube for-me page has quite a few anarchist instructional videos. You only have to look up so many "how to make a flamethrower" searches before the algorithm figures that's what you're into. Many authors joke about the things we research landing us on FBI watch pages. In the past week I've looked up "what do you call that tape that they use in caves to mark the passage," rock climbing terminology, and "do bodies sink in fresh water" which led me to a website with some rather disturbing images.
Last week, I asked my research think tank (aka family Snapchat group) what common catering supplies could be used as the accellerant in a flamethrower. Honestly, I think it's not essential that I get the details perfect. Whether sterno gel mixed with everclear is the solution or one could conceivably add white gas to a catering order, I think it could be done. But my family is fond of such conversations.
The most essential details are often the hardest to research. In Sorrow's Apprentice, I had a hard time finding out what a cell phone tower looked like. How far apart are the spacers? How is it powered? Is there a guard rail? My search history definitely looks like someone intent on criminal mischief. But both that book and the one I'm working on now have a bit of swashbuckling heist involved, and as everyone knows, the secret to a successful heist lies in getting the details accurate.
So your house is protected by a Levanthine ward? And you've got a tight security system? Patrolled by armed vampires? No one can possibly break in?
Challenge accepted.
Did you read this book? I'd love your reviews and recommendations!
I suppose the good thing about this is that I now know a lot more about rock climbing, spelunking, scuba diving, and arson. Maybe that will come in handy some day?
This week's question: What real-life thing have you learned about from fiction?
EMT Abbie Grimshaw turns to her electromagnetic wizard friend to help solve the bombing mystery that still haunts her. But before he can help, his aunt’s murder plunges them into a new supernatural investigation. This time, they’re the prime suspects. If they fail to stop the killer quickly, the body count could soon include them both. (Wide)
Welcome to the Vilokan Asylum of the Magically and Mentally Deranged.
9 Books and over 2000 pages of magic, deranged chaos, and werewolf shenanigans fill this expansive urban fantasy omnibus collection. (Amazon)
When Vivian Black awakens in a coffin, she discovers she is a vampire wanted by a deadly, international cult of the undead‒the Shévet ha Dam, or Blood Tribe. Vivian flees for her life with a new, handsome friend Michael‒a young vampire who has vowed to protect her. But nowhere is far enough for them to escape her past. (Wide)
Vampires aren't as scary as the serial killers they hunt. Despising the demon inside, Mathias channels his anguish into bringing justice to the true monsters—those who hunt their fellow human beings. As a crime scene investigator, he combines his vampiric abilities with modern science to track down serial killers. (Amazon)
Seventy generations ago, the angel Ramatel was cast into hell for sleeping with human women. Now he has returned to earth and must work with a beautiful female apprentice to stop demonic attacks on children. (Amazon)
When Daniella meets The Novaks, they become her closest friends and colleagues. But the Novaks hold deadly secrets. In a world where monsters are real and powers run rampant, can Daniella embrace immortality as the mate of the Novak leader, or will the lies, death, and darkness of the otherworld be too much for her to bear? (Wide)
Gratuitous Cat Picture
This fine, fuzzy fellow would love to murder squirrels.
Other Novels
