In July, I had the opportunity to talk with Main Street Moxie Podcast about literary characters with moxie. We had a great discussion and took some fun publicity photos, which will air with the show on October 17. Of course, I looked in my calendar to find out when would be the Wednesday before the episode came out so that I could write a "Why Wednesday" post about moxie.
I can't tell you how thrilled I was to discover that my discussion of moxie would come out on October 5, my sister's birthday. I don't know anyone, real or fictional, with more moxie than my sister. If you want to hear about why sometime (when you have plenty of time to listen), you can ask me. In the meanwhile, you can join me in wishing her a great birthday. HBD, V!
On the show, I got to talk about what I think moxie means. I cobbled together these three ideas:
- Resilience and pluck, having attitude and confidence enough to go against the grain, to be brave, to show swagger and good sense, even in moments of fear or danger. Some nerve.
- In The Orchid Thief, Susan Orlean mentions “willful obliviousness," the idea that a person has to be able to ignore obstacles between herself and her goal, not pay attention to what doesn't serve.
- On a Fated Mates' trailblazer episode (July 6, 2022), Brenda Jackson said, "If there's no seat at the table for you, make your own table."
Between those three, I came to the idea that people with systemic power don't need moxie. When life clears the path for people, those people don't need to learn and practice the skills that create power. It's an important characteristic of underdogs.
I hope you'll listen to the podcast and read the show notes to learn to which literary characters I ascribed moxie. You won't be surprised that many of them come from romance novels, where there's always something to overcome on the way to finding a happily ever after.
Plus, if you live nearby, notice that the local independent bookstore, Oblong Books, sponsored the episode and has copies of all of the books I discussed. How cool is that?!
What do you think are the traits of moxie? Whom do you know (real or fictional) with lots of moxie? Do you agree with the premise that we can learn moxie by reading about characters who exhibit the trait? Please share your thoughts of moxie in the comments below. (And don't forget to listen to my episode when it comes out on Monday, which is, by the way, my husband's birthday, so HBD, CIO!)
Carita is brimming with moxie, and we’re thrilled she’s our next guest, sharing her wisdom and helping us launch a new literary genre–Mox Lit. Her love of writing, reading, and correct use (or is it usage–help, Carita!) of language are inspiring. She has some great recommendations for reading and useful tips on how to move your moxie–and improve your grammar.
Thank you, Carita!!
Thanks, Mary! I have a great time talking with you two for the podcast and am looking forward to listening to it next Monday!
Can’t wait to listen!
me too!
Moxie is a brand of carbonated beverage that is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It was created around 1876 by Augustin Thompson as a patent medicine called “Moxie Nerve Food”[2] and was produced in Lowell, Massachusetts.[3] The sweet soda is similar to root beer, with a bitter aftertaste.[4] It is flavored with gentian root extract, an extremely bitter substance commonly used in herbal medicine.
Moxie was designated the official soft drink of Maine on May 10, 2005.[5] It continues to be regionally popular today, particularly in New England states.[6] It was previously produced by the Moxie Beverage Company of Bedford, New Hampshire until Moxie was purchased by The Coca-Cola Company in 2018.[7]
The name has become the word “moxie” in American English, a noun meaning energy, determination, and spunk.[8] . . .
Oh, I didn’t know it came from Maine. Cool!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxie
Yes, it’s a great name for a soda — as if we could attain moxie by just drinking it.
I loved reading this post! Your thoughts on “moxie” resonate. Happy Birthday to your sister!
Thanks — I hope you’ll enjoy the podcast and add ideas of more books in the moxie lit genre!
Aw! Thanks for the kind words and birthday wishes! You’ll always be the best sister ever!
Thanks and back at you!
I really enjoyed listening to the podcast on the way home from work yesterday. You were amazing! And your answers/ comments had wisdom in them. Your students are very lucky! I agree with your “mirror and window” comments…When I was listening, I thought automatically about a male character, Frank, from Angela’s Ashes, who has “moxie.” Maybe it’s because my own father ( and mother) had similar challenges, sometimes even worse than Frank had. Despite all the challenges, he (and she) proved that they had moxie and pluck. Again, it was a great listening!
Thanks so much for listening and for your kind words. I loved Angela’s Ashes though it was not so cheerful as my romance novels. Yes, many immigrants certainly need to hone their moxie to survive. And he’s a real person with moxie rather than a fictional character. Again, many thanks! (Maybe we’ll get to say “hello” in person this weekend on campus.)