Q&A with Ariel Slick

 

 

Ariel Slick is the author of the new novel The Devil Take the Blues. Her other books include The Royals of Sea and Song. She is from Fort Worth, Texas.

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Devil Take the Blues, and how did you create your cast of characters?

 

A: This book started out as kind of a love letter to my sister, but also to process a lot of the thoughts and feelings I had around a relationship with her that I knew wasn’t a good one. Beatrice’s story is a lot like mine—I had to learn to let my sister make her own decisions and make her own mistakes.

 

But I also just love stories about the Devil and how we can beat the Devil at his own game, sometimes. This was really fun to write, and it was my second full-fledged attempt at a novel.

 

For the cast, I wanted to create villains with some good trait, however small (sympathy for the Devil, if you will). Some of the characters stand for historic trends. For instance, Angelo highlights some of the ways Black musicians were taken advantage of in the ‘20s, and Pastor Stevenson symbolizes the racism of the era.

 

Q: How was the novel’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: Originally, the title was going to be “Crossroad Blues,” which was a reference to Robert Johnson’s song, and of course a reference to the crossroads legend.

 

However, an editor suggested that I change it to “The Devil Take the Blues,” with a reference to the phrase, “The Devil take you!” I think the final choice grabs people’s attention more.

 

Q: How did you research the book, and did you learn anything that especially surprised you?

 

A: Goodness, I did so much research. I have a background in library and information science, so I use those research skills. Mostly reading books, articles, and scouring the internet for primary sources.

 

A: I think one of the most surprising tidbits I learned was that the KKK was like a huge multi-level marketing scam. The “leaders” would get paid based on dues, and each level took a fraction from the next level. People were also required to purchase items, like sheets, Bibles, and so forth. They even sold hard candies with the insignia. I tried to poke fun at this because it was ridiculous.

 

Q: The writer Mark Spencer said of the book, “Powerful and original, funny and tragic--and most of all, true.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: It’s really an honor to have someone say that about my book. I think it’s what every author wants to hear, that their work is original. It’s also humbling in a way because I need to “out-do” myself on the next book.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m currently working on a Dan Brown-style thriller about a disgraced veteran who goes on quest to find the largest cache of buried gold in history. Along the way, she learns the value of self-worth. It will be set in the present day, but it will still include a lot of historical research.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: If you’d like sneak peeks of the thriller, or deleted scenes from Devil, be sure to sign up for my email newsletter by going to www.arielslickwrites.com.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Ariel Slick.