Hank Quense Shares His Inspiration for MOXIE'S PROBLEM @hanque99 #SciFi #Fantasy #Camelot

What inspired me to write Moxie’s Problem

I first developed a version of the Moxie character more than ten years ago. Originally, she was the protagonist in a short story. The story never sold, nevertheless I loved her character and I was determined to get her to star in a story.

I developed Moxie’s character for a novel that would include Moxie’s development from a spoiled brat to a formidable woman.

While I was writing Moxie’s Problem, it occurred to me why I couldn’t sell the short story. The problem with the short story was that Moxie was a whiney, obnoxious, teenage brat. Not a good choice for a protagonist. The difference between Moxie in a short story and Moxie in a novel is this: in the novel there is room for Moxie to grow, to learn important lessons and to change. These changes can’t be pulled off in a short story, there simply isn’t room for such complicated issues. So, Moxie’s Problem really is about Moxie growing up and facing a reality that is quite different from life in her father’s castle. Part of Moxie’s learning experiences occur when she is escorted by three apprentice Knights of the Round Table. The knights don’t care about her nobel birth, a shocking revelation to Moxie, and they ignore her commands. This forces Moxie to reflect that people outside the castle think differently that the nobles who attend her father’s court. Once she starts to examine issues like this, there is no stopping her from observing other facets of life outside the castle. This leads her to realize she isn’t trained to do anything except exist and possible give birth, but always under the supervision of an adult male, either her father or a husband. Moxie finds this situation repugnant and she develops a plan to become independent.

That last sentence is a recap of the novel from Moxie’s perspective. Another main theme is the development of Percivale, one of the apprentice knights. And then there are the subplots that revolve around Camelot. The struggle between King Artie and the Saxon warlord Hengist for domination in British football is one such delightful subplot. Another is the Knights of the Round Table (KRT Inc.) a for profit organization that has money problems. Still another is Merlin delving into the Magic of the Mind using ink blots on pieces of parchment.

With all these unique subplots going on, Moxie’s Problem really was a joy to write.

Do you enjoy untypical coming-of-age stories? Well, you won’t find one more untypical than Moxie’s Problem. Moxie is an obnoxious, teen-age princess who has never been outsider her father’s castle. Until now. The real world is quite different and she struggles to come to grips with reality. The story takes place against a backdrop of Camelot. But it isn’t the Camelot of legends. It’s Camelot in a parallel universe. So, all bets are off!

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Fantasy, Sci-fi

Rating – G

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Connect with Hank Quense through Facebook & Twitter

Website http://hank-quense.com/wp/

Mike Hartner on Social Media & Book Marketing for Authors @MHartnerAuthor #Historical #WriteTip

How To Network Online to Sell Your Book

First, I must print this disclaimer. I’m not a marketing individual. And I, James, the second book of The Eternity Series which will be released in September 2014, is only the second book that I’ve tried to market. So, everything has been trial and error. But, I will borrow heavily from badredheadmedia.com’s Rachel Thompson, and several others, and the lessons they have taught me.

1. You need an Online Presence. Gmail+, FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest…. They all have their uses. Personally, I’m on FaceBook, and Twitter.
2. Facebook has my personal page, where my family and friends reside, and then a Corporate page which is where I try to publicize The Eternity Series. And other projects that I have. BcBaldEagles.com also comes to mind. It’s also a separate corporate page. And the three pages share posts from each other.
3. Twitter is my second social media channel. @MHartnerAuthor is my identity, since Rachel once said, it’s better to publicize yourself as an author than to publicize individual books, and keep changing the identity. Son’t confuse people. Publicize yourself as an author.
4. First Rule of Social Media: It’s Social. Don’t Spam. Don’t spill every word saying ‘Buy my book’. Build relationships, show people your interests outside of writing. If you’re interested in Nutella, and Alaskam wilderness cabins, show that. If it’s quilting, crocheting and flowers you’re interested in, show that. Let people meet the REAL you.
5. Pluggio and hootsuite are great tools. Pluggio allows you to ‘drip’ every few hours news topics of your interest. Hootsuite allows you to post on more than one site from a consolidated dashboard. Both are useful.
6. Don’t expect everyone who follows you to remain. But help them by not including expletives in every second post, or every third word. Show them that you can enjoy life as much as it can frustrate you.

Social Networks allow you to reach out to a lot of other people. AS much as you want others to follow you, follow them. Find others with your interest. Other authors, other Nutella aficionados, other quilters, whatever… By following a wide range of others, a wide range of them will follow you.

BLOG, or get blog tours. Blog tours are GREAT exposure for your book. They usually have a wide and diverse cross section of reviewers, who are all interested, to some extent, in your writing.

HELP OTHERS. If you can help others with your lessons, do. If you can Share other’s posts, announcements, etc… chances are they’ll share yours. And your messages will get out to people you never expected.

90/10 Rule. At least 90 percent of your posts and blogs should be focused on things OTHER THAN selling your book. Great reviews are one thing you can announce more often. Share Reviews of books you’ve read. Even better if they’re current books (last five years). Even Better if you’re following the author when you post the review.

ENGAGE your audience. Snippets, comments, and reviews of everyone’s work are great things to post. Top Ten lists about your life, about your hobbies… all of these build audience.

And while you’re building audience, but not screaming BUY MY BOOK, chances are some people will buy it.

And that’s what makes social media so great. Being Social.

James Crofter was ripped from his family at age 11. 
Within a year the prince was a pauper in a foreign land. 
Is nature stronger than nurture? And even if it is, can James find the happiness he so richly desires? 

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Historical Fiction, Romance

Rating – PG

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Connect with Mike Hartner on Facebook & Twitter