moxie (noun): energy, pep; courage, determination; know-how.
I named my business Moxie Books because it does indeed take energy, pep, courage, determination, and expertise to write a book.
Also Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent. IYKYK.
But I didn’t find out until later that the word “moxie” came from Moxie Nerve Food — a patent medicine and tonic invented by Dr Augustin Thompson and sold in New England in the 1870s.
Then, when he got found out (it’s not medicinal, clearly) he pivoted it into a bottle of pop and marketed it as an energy drink with a “delicious blend of the bitter and the sweet.”
(You think Monster was the first energy drink? Nah, those snake oil dudes in the 1800s were WAY ahead of the game.)
E. B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web, LOVED Moxie Nerve Food, writing that it is “the path to the good life.”
All of this is extremely serendipitous because writing a book is a blend of bitter and sweet — it’s not all plain sailing, and don’t believe anyone who tries to sell you that it is. Bittersweet is delightful.
And writing is indeed the path to the good life, especially when done with moxie.
All this is by way of saying two things:
- If you’re curious about MicroBook Magic, you should listen to this podcast in which I was interviewed about writing books, my favourite projects and clients, and creativity. It’ll give you a flavour of what it’s like to work with me.
- MicroBook Magic Season 7 begins on October 20, and I would LOVE for you to join us. There are only 10 spots available (it’s cosy) and 2 have already gone.
You can find out everything and sign up here:
And now for the Friday Goodie Bag, in which I have gathered the following delights for you:
The humblebee — a bombus-shell!
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust posted about bumblebee names. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the name “bumblebee” stuck! Some other delights: Foggy Bummer (Scotland — and my favourite because HAHAHAHA); Drumbledrone (Devon); Humblebee (yes really, until 1910); Plüschmors (plush in German). When you’re searching for a name for something, look into the history of the thing you’re naming — you never know what you might find…
How to create joy from pain
Jack Graham lost his dad to depression five years ago, and shared his story on LinkedIn. He took his pain and used it to make a documentary — and that led to what he does now. You can read his story here.
A lot of what I write — and most of my comedy — comes from my pain, and I know that’s true of a lot of creatives. It doesn’t have to — lots comes from joy, as well — but don’t discount that pain. It’s part of life and who we are and it’s valuable too.
Nigeria’s first self-published author who changed EVERYTHING
Thanks to Abi Adamson for this treasure! “Olaudah Equiano went from being kidnapped in Igboland to becoming the bestselling Black author who helped end the British slave trade.” He bought his freedom in 1766 then wrote “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” — one of the first international bestsellers by a Black author, and a powerful tool in the abolitionist movement.
Check out Abi’s post and follow her here.
Universal feelings of inadequacy about writing a book
Just in case you needed to hear this, you’re not alone in feeling like you “shouldn’t” be writing a book. I feel it all the time. But hey, that’s natural, you might think. You’re just you. And I’m just me. True. Well, how about if I mention Emma Watson? Yes, THAT Emma Watson. She wrote a book and then talked about how terrified she was that people would “find her out” — you can be a megastar and still these feelings threaten to bury us.
And how about Maya Angelou??? She said: “I have written 11 books but each time I think ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”
If you want to write your book, write it. Do not let that voice in your head stop you.
MC Hammersmith doing the most epic improv
Can you imagine being on stage and having to rap to prompts given to you by the audience IN REAL TIME? Nope, me neither, and the very idea is making me feel panicky hahaha. But check out MC Hammersmith, who is my new favourite comedian. This is seriously impressive AND funny.
What I’m reading
The next book in the Locked Tomb Trilogy has just arrived and I am SO chuffed. Harrow the Ninth is my current read and it’s very different from the first book and I’m loving it.
This is genre-bending gothic fantasy sci-fi horror comedy and I am fully here for it.
What I’m writing
Currently working on a short essay called The Banana Limit which will at some point be available on the Beehiiv I’m starting, that will lead into the memoirish I’m writing. Watch this space.
Word of the week
hirsute: hairy.
That’s it. That’s the word. Use it in a sentence today you hirsute caterpillar.
Quote of the week
“Attention is the beginning of devotion.” —Mary Oliver
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How to work with The MicroBook Magician
Creative Playground: Write every day + get advice, support, and bonus access to my workshops! (1 week trial for £1)
Book Breakthrough Lab: Let’s see how much you can get done in just 90 days
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Buy My Book: How the hell do you write a book?