I've picked up a few research oriented books about Vegas especially during its hey days when the mafia ran the town but also a book about modern vegas and how its transformed. I have Greenfelt Jungle and Sin Sun and Suburbia. Anyone care to recommend resources for a NYer to get a good handle on the town and how it's different from other places?
My novel is about a Buddhist nun whose family owns a major Las Vegas Casino/Hotel. She's investigating the disapperance of her ex-husband who is also a suspect in a murder investigation.
Resources to add authenticity to the work welcome. Or any general comments/suggestions.
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53,703 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2008 - 18 12
First of all, good luck on your novel, secondly here are a few titles, not sure if any or good though:
When the Mob Ran Vegas: Stories of Murder, Mayhem and Money by Steve Fischer
The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law Vs. the Mob by Dennis Griffin
Winner Takes All: Steve Wynn, Kirk Kerkorian, Gary Loveman, and the Race to Own Las Vegas by Christina Binkley (these are names of major hotel/casino owners past and present)
Get your hands on a map of vegas and one of the strip if possible. Remember Vegas is not just the Strip, there is a whole town outside of the strip and the majority of the people who live here don't go there unless someone is visiting from out of town or they work on the strip!
Good luck
----------Nano 06 -- Lost, but I was sick
Nano 07 -- Won with Cat Scratch
Nano 08 -- Won with Ryan Says
SF 09 -- already plotting
Nano 09 -- not ready to think about yet!!!
50,508 / 50,000
oct. 9, 2008 - 19 34
You really should at least visit. Speaking as somebody from the NorthEast originally, Las Vegas is very, very different from what you're used to. And hey, the economy is so poor here right now, the casinos are pratically giving rooms away!
But, seeing as how thats probably not likely, you may want to consider setting it in a different time period if you want your character to OWN a major Las Vegas Casino. Almost every major casino in town is owned by one of three or four large companies now. You could always set it in the late 60's or early 70's then you could include the Mafia in your story. (Contrary to what you still see in TV and movies, it's been a long time since the Mafia ran Las Vegas)
An entertaining book you might want to check out is called 'No Limit'. It's the biography of Bob Stupak and his infamous Vegas World casino which eventually became the Stratosphere.
----------2007 - 'Stripped' - Winner
2008 - Arugula Moon
'I love my country - mainly because I'm white and rich. Well, I'm not actually rich but I do have a lot of sh*t I don't need that I refuse to share with others. And that feels pretty solid.' - Maria Bamfo
8,024 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 07 35
Thanks! Good advice about the map. I definitely have to get me one of those.... :-)
8,024 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 07 39
I plan on visiting at some point but not before November. Probably early next year.
I think I'll flashback to an early time but set the central action in modern times. At which point I can say the family has become managers of the Casino instead of owning it. Like they were bought out by corporations or something. I guess that would make sense. Their family runs back to the days when it all began so I could really get deep into the history of vegas.
50,080 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 10 51
Whoa, there is so much stuff to keep in mind, especially in the modern day. From my/ my wife's/ my brother-in law's experience in the casino business, I have learned a few things.
Casino execs/upper level management fall into one of two categories. Those who think that they are starring in the movie Wall Street, and those who think that they are starring in their own private porno. The whole Gordon Gecko "greed is good" motto really applies here. Money is moved around in corrupt little circles, and when the execs go on vacation, there is typically quite a bit of revenue that goes towards getting them laid.
My favorite casino story was when a bunch of different girls were all jockeying for a spot in the Convention Sales dept at a major casino. The applicants were a married lady of 25 with 7 years of sales experience, a lady of 32 with 3 years sales experience and a college degree, and a 21 year old with some college, no experience, and fake boobs. Guess which one got the job...
Also, keep in mind that Nevada officially has the worst economy in the 50 states. We also have the highest unemployment rate in the union and gambling revenues are down to 2006 levels (about $1 BILLION less than last year). This may have some effect on your story.
8,024 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 18 39
Very interesting information and it will definitely guide me on my path.
8,024 / 50,000
oct. 10, 2008 - 18 40
Thanks a lot! :-)
50,029 / 50,000
oct. 14, 2008 - 10 08
Ha, I'm a Vegasite writing a novel taking place in New York, even though I've never been there. Not to the city at least.
8,024 / 50,000
oct. 14, 2008 - 13 07
That's great. I'll buddy you and feel free to nanomail me if you have any questions about New York or if you can shed any additional light on Sin City. I'm all for an open exchange of information!
20,073 / 50,000
nov. 9, 2008 - 01 19
Seconding the map advice. Nothing drives me crazier than hearing the wrong street names or the wrong sections of town on shows like CSI. Seriously, I can't watch CSI because of that. Second, I didn't see anyone mention Hal Rothman's work. He was a history professor at UNLV and specialized in local history.
Oh, and for mob info, try the movie Casino. Names have been changed to protect the guilty, but according to family who's been here since that time, the story is surprisingly accurate.
----------2006: Book I: Team Alpha: Genesis & Book II: Team Alpha: Pentex Run
2007 and 2008: Book III: Team Alpha: Saving Melissa
The truth may be out there, but the lies are in your head. - Terry Pratchett
50,012 / 50,000
nov. 10, 2008 - 18 36
That's true about the rooms; my fiance keeps getting free room offers even though he lives in Vegas as well. Of course we take advantage ... free rooms XD ..
----------50,147 / 50,000
nov. 10, 2008 - 19 44
Another few tidbits about Vegas
Those of us how live here avoid the strip as much as possible, unless we work there, then that is the only reason we are there.
Cab drivers obey no traffic laws here and have no problem running people over.
From May through the end of Sept we are nocturnal due to the heat.
Things on the strip are further apart than they appear. Most casinos are 3 to 4 city blocks long.
Off the strip we have Wal-Mart’s, grocery stores and 7-11’s
Oh and right now on the strip there is A LOT of construction due to the City Center Project, and a couple others one of which has been stopped until who knows due to money issues.
----------**I'm five years in to a two year plan**
**So what am I waiting for?**
17,306 / 50,000
nov. 11, 2008 - 19 56
Just chiming in with another great reference book, by the aforementioned Hal Rothman, "The Grit Beneath the Glitter". This is a great collection of essays about the city that read quickly and give you a multi-faceted perspective.
I'm another Vegas-resident that is writing a story set on the Lower East Side of New York City. (Like Vegas, this isanother area that I am sure that has changed since I lived there 6 years ago!)
Good luck with your novel!!
Corenna