The Last Roman: Exile by B. K. Greenwood

8/27/2022

Multi-volume, historical fiction author, B. K. Greenwood introduces us to the first volume in The Last Roman series, Exile:
What if The Gladiator smashed into The Highlander, and then careened into Jason Bourne? You would get The Last Roman: Exile.

Some debts you cannot repay, even if you live forever...

Seasoned imperial officer Marcus Sempronius Gracchus leads the 9th Roman Legion into a bloody battle against a fierce barbarian tribe. It's a battle he won't survive.

When he awakens three days later, clawing his way from a shallow grave, Marcus must face the reality of his new existence. He will never see the afterlife--but that won't stop him from dying time and again over the next 2,000 years.

But Marcus is not the only one cursed with eternal life, and they are determined to bring the world crashing to its knees. Forced to confront the only brother he has ever known, can Marcus prevent the inevitable and find redemption?

Follow the story of a man who should be dead, as he tries to save the world... and his soul.

This story is marvelous storytelling! Taking a minor character from the most pivotal event in the New Testament and making him and other biblical characters the center of all the conflict is genius!
This is A+ action. It is easy to picture the frequent action sequences in your mind's eye. The dialogue is good also, the characters come across as very real, they have feelings, hopes and goals.
I guess there are some advantages to being immortal, after enjoying this story, the price seems too high for me.
This book gets 4.8 stars from me!

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Roman-Exile-B-K-Greenwood-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-exile
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-last-roman-b-k-greenwood

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/bkgreenwood70
https://www.instagram.com/bkgreenwood70
https://www.facebook.com/BKGreenwood
http://www.bkgreenwood.com

I have reviewed the second book in the series here:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-last-roman-abyss
I have reviewed the third book in the series here:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-last-roman-absolution

tags: Christian fiction, action, adventure, spirituality, historical fiction, politics, conspiracy, prophecy

Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.

49 Comments

B.K. Greenwood link

8/27/2022 01:18:52 pm

Thanks, Mark, for the review and opportunity to chat!

Mark

8/27/2022 02:38:04 pm

Welcome to the Word Refiner channel, Brendan. You are welcome, I really enjoyed the story!

First question.

Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

8/27/2022 03:18:23 pm

Thanks, I am glad you did.

I guess start with the normal stuff. Born in New Hampshire, raised in Arizona. I now live in Austin, Texas. I am married, two grown kids, four rescue dogs.

Beyond my bio. I moved a ton as a kid, going to seven different elementary schools. That was tough, and finding new friends was hard. So, I read a lot and spent a bunch of time in the library. I had a particular interest in history, adventures, sci-fi, and fantasy.

Eventually, I felt I had a story to tell of my own. So, in my late twenties, I started book one of this trilogy. It has gone through dozens of iterations (starting at nearly 120,000 words). Over the last twenty-three years, I whittled it down to the slim 80,000 wordcount of the current version. Books two and three followed soon after.

Writing is not my primary job, but I hope to do it full time once I retire.

8/27/2022 04:34:51 pm

Thanks. Our childhoods were somewhat similar. Yours was more extreme than mine, I only went to three elementary schools. I did have a hard time making new friends. I loved all of those genres also.

A big difference, I have never felt a story trying to get out of me.

You did well trimming that story down.

New questions.

What kind of work do you do, since you are a part-time writer? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.

Does your work have any influence on your writing?

8/27/2022 05:19:25 pm

I work in the manufacturing tech industry. And I would say it has very little influence over my writing. My work is very analytical, whereas creative writing is just about the opposite. I think that is good, as it helps me stay balanced.

I think my writing is mainly influenced by reading and games. I played a lot of role-playing games when I was younger (example, Dungeons and Dragons). Not only did that force me to build worlds in our minds, but we also had to make up ways of getting out of tough spots in the game. Just like I have to invent ways for my characters to get into and out of trouble.

I guess a writer is the ultimate Dungeon Master.

8/27/2022 07:34:52 pm

You work in the computer chip industry? I had a small part building several chip plants in Oregon when I was in construction. My mother worked for a chip manufacturer in Washington state, SEH America. I was able to attend an open house and see how 6" chips were made. It was fascinating.

Dungeons and Dragons sounded really cool, when I first heard about it. I did a little reading and nothing more than that. I was working in retail at the time and that meant that I worked most nights and weekends. I can certainly see how that developed your imagination muscles. I agree, a writer is the ultimate dungeon master.

New questions.

What inspired you to write this book?

Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

8/28/2022 09:17:58 am

Yes, the chip industry. I started right out of high school. The last two years have been very interesting. Lots of focus on our industry.

It has been so long since I started the book that I cannot remember exactly what inspired this particulate story. I believe it was a combination of movies and books I had read. There is a series called Casca (the eternal mercenary) that was written by Barry Sadler in the 1970s that has a similar premise, but I didn't find out about that until nearly ten years after I wrote my book.

I don't feel like I chose this genre. As a matter of fact, I received feedback that I would struggle because I don't cleanly fit into one genre. My book is historical fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, and modern thriller. Quite the range. But I think that is a direct reflection of the books I read as a kid. Burroughs, Cussler, Tolkien, Asimov, and Ludlum.

8/28/2022 11:10:06 am

Casca sounds like an interesting series. I am surprised I missed it. I am sure I would have enjoyed it. Asimov was a favorite science fiction author, I read quite a few of his books and loved the Foundation series. During my middle school and high school years I read a large amount of sci-fi. I was introduced to high fantasy and Tolkien in the 8th grade. LOTR completely captured me, and I read the series 3 times before graduating from our small-town high school.

Many authors mash multiple genres into their books, I don't know if that is a good thing for sales or not. Personally, I enjoy those stories a great deal. This book, with over 1,000 reviews/ratings seems to prove that sucess is achievable for mashups.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.

Was it hard to come up with the title? What was the process?

8/28/2022 12:10:05 pm

Thanks, it is doing well across genres! I guess the only rule is there are no rules.

My cover designer is Dusan Arsenic. He is out of Serbia. The best way to contact him is through the site Upwork. He is actually the third cover designer I engaged. I am super happy with his work and plan to use him for my upcoming prequel.

8/28/2022 02:09:23 pm

He does nice work. I hope this helps him get more work.

New questions.

Were the character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

8/29/2022 11:24:14 am

Yeah, he is pretty good!

Ah, character names. I see so much discussion on this in writers forums.

I was lucky, in that one of my main characters was already named (Thomas, the apostle). For others, I used very biblical names (Isabella, Rebecca) or existing characters (ex: Lazarus).

Marcus was always going to be the main characters name. It's kind of the "Jack" or "John" of the Roman world, but it seemed to fit my mental version of the character.

For others, I try to use time and regional appropriate names. I often will find historical characters from a period I am writing about, then look at the names of their brothers or sisters. Seems to work for me.

8/29/2022 01:06:19 pm

Names are a big issue, just as you said. There are websites devoted to the most popular names by year or decade and area that many writers use. Some of them go back for more than a century. I didn't know that Marcus was such a popular name in the Roman times.

New questions.

This is the first book in a series, how many books are you planning for the series?

Tell us a bit about the other books you have already written.

8/29/2022 09:25:44 pm

The initial storyline is three books, and all three are complete.

I have four short stories that provide additional character development and content around the story, but are really unconnected with the primary plot.

I am currently working on a prequel that will take place long before the trilogy. It will be (mainly) focused on one period, though I will still employ the flashbacks, as I feel like they keep the story fresh and moving along.

I have plans for two other series, completely unconnected to this franchise, but they are in the infancy stages.

8/30/2022 07:07:19 am

Very nice. A lot of readers like reading a series. I do also, it permits greater development of characters and plot.

More series being planned is a good idea also. The more books you write the more you will sell. It takes a long time to build a fan base and I think you are well on your way.

New questions.

Have you done any public speaking?

If so, will you be doing more in the future?

8/30/2022 10:18:57 am

My real-world job requires a ton of public speaking. I have been doing it for many years, with audiences up to 1,000 or more. Pre-covid in person, post-covid on Teams or Zoom. I have also done one live TV interview (I attached the link below) for a local station in Austin.

I would assume I continue to do this in the future, both in my day-to-day job and as a writer.

Here is the TV interview:

https://www.kxan.com/studio-512/local-author-bk-greenwood-set-to-release-the-third-book-of-the-last-roman-trilogy-spring-2022/

8/30/2022 11:47:52 am

Not many people have a job that requires a lot of public speaking. Very few authors do and fewer still look forward to the experience. It's not that surprising also, for many people, public speaking is one to the top fears in their life.

Speaking was difficult for me in my public school years, I had a definite stammer that was nearly omnipresent. Years later, after a lot of personal work and a Dale Carnegie course I conquered my fear of public speaking. Once I spoke in front of a group nearly a thousand strong also. It was fun! Speaking about something you are expert in makes all of the difference.

That was a good interview!

New questions.

Have you entered any writing contests?

Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

8/30/2022 12:00:23 pm

Ah, the writing contest question. I have entered a few, but I have not won anything. I am tempted to enter more, but I'll be 100% honest. I prefer to use that budget for marketing and advertising.

In general, think awards are great. They can reaffirm the quality of the work. But I don't feel like that translates into commercial success. And, realistically, my goal is to write for a living when I "retire". So, my affirmation comes through reader reviews. As you've mentioned, I have over 1,000 for book one, so to me, that is an award unto itself, administered by my audience.

8/30/2022 02:00:24 pm

There are a lot of contests, and they are not all created equal. Some good contests provide feedback on their entries, some don't. Some are downright crooked and seek to empty your wallet. The worst ones try to steal your intellectual property rights.

Here is a copy-and-paste link for more information or hit the search box below: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests Anne is one of my favorite bloggers.

Nearly 11,000 reviews on Amazon is a truckload of affirmation!

New questions.

I noticed that your book is in Kindle Unlimited. I thought that KU didn't allow a book on any other platform.

How is that working out for you?

Why did you choose that exclusive venue?

8/30/2022 03:56:47 pm

Thanks, I will check that out.

The great debate, Kindle Select or not Kindle Select. Yes, if you are on KU, you cannot sell your ebook on any other platforms. That does not apply to the paperback.

But you get several advantages. One, your book is on Kindle Unlimited, which means it can be checked out for free. You are paid by page read (just under a half-cent per page. Two, you get to take advantage of Kindle Countdown deals once every 90 days. So, you can discount your book and Amazon will advertise it. Three, you can be part of special Amazon promotions (like Amazon prime reading, etc.). They will pay you a set amount to have the book on that platform for 90 days, for example.

You give up the ability to be on Nook, Kobo, and Apple. But, since Amazon is 70% or more of the ebook market, I think the trade is fair. You can reassess every 90 days to stay or leave.

About 35% of my revenue comes from Kindle Unlimited. That is a pretty substantial base to help fund advertising, etc.

The last downside. You cannot get on a bestseller list (like US Today) and be exclusively on Amazon. So, if you want to make a run at one of those lists, you have to go wide. I am probably going to take a shot at that with my prequel.

8/30/2022 05:55:31 pm

That is some great information. Thank you, I hope other authors can take advantage of some of that. If I understand, you can have your e-book on KU and place the paperback on other platforms. That is brilliant!

35% is nothing to sneeze at. Have you already decided on a number that will cause you to pull the e-book out of KU? What percentage of reads on KU finish the book? If you would rather not answer those questions that is fine.

New questions.

What kind of process is likely to be necessary to get on a best seller list such as USA Today?

How many books have you put in KU?

8/30/2022 06:24:36 pm

I will pull the book when I am ready to go "wide" to shoot for the best seller list (USA Today or Wall Street Journal. New York Times is almost exclusively traditional published books). Then try and hit a bookbub deal for book one in the series. Marry that up with a ton of advertising and other activities.

Then I will build up for the prequel launch and repeat. Pre-sales work for that. So, I will hit the email list heavy. Amazon helps by notifying all my past readers that a new book is out.

It is kind of like a moonshot for each book. You get one week to see if you can make the list.

I have three books on KU. I do not put my short stories there, as I use them for reader magnets (in exchange for email addresses) and that would violate Amazon terms of services.

8/30/2022 07:18:16 pm

That is quite a process. Lots of variables and little control. All you can do is all you can do.

New questions.

Have you ever gone through the query process?

Were you seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers and why did you choose that path?

8/30/2022 07:36:03 pm

I did, many years ago. Probably 100+ agents. I had two request a full chapter, one the full manuscript. The work was not worthy at that time. Too heavy, ponderous. As mentioned previously, it was 100K+ and needed to be cut by 20%.

I considered it last year. But, I felt like I wanted to publish at my own pace. I was worried it would take months to find an agent. Then up to a year to find a publishing house. And then another year to get into the queue. I am not getting any younger, so I went the self-publishing route. Fortunately, I could afford a good editor, cover designer, and marketing.

I will take a series the traditional route someday. With the success I have seen in self-publishing, I am convinced I can find a strong agent to represent me. That will probably be Sci-fi and next year sometime.

8/31/2022 08:28:23 am

You had better luck than most authors. Many spend over a year querying and never get an agent. Then those authors proceed to self-publish or use a hybrid publisher if they have the money.

TBH, I think authors are better off self-publishing. If an author can find an agent, the agent is likely to ask for some rewriting so the story will, in the agent's eyes, be more marketable. This happened to a client of mine, she shopped the newly written fourth volume of her series and found an agent. The agent asked her to rewrite the story out of the series and she agreed to. When she went back to the agent with some questions, she got no response. This was after months of querying. She self-published the story and quit querying.

Getting an agent and then, maybe, getting a contract months later is only the beginning of the problems. Unless an author is well known and has already sold millions of books there will not be much of an advance. The publisher may request more rewrites, change the cover and even delay publication for a year or more, all to ensure they, the publisher, makes the most money. I don't blame them, their profit margins are so slim now, since Amazon broke down the walls and democratized publishing the traditional publishing industry has seen a serious market contraction. So many publishers of all sizes have folded their tent or been absorbed by another company. Traditional publishers can't afford to gamble, every decision must make them money, they are fighting for survival.

I think you made a wise decision last year; you maintained control of your intellectual property rights and reap all of the profits. Your estate will continue to reap those profits also, for 75 years after your death, according to the last thing I heard about US copyright law.

A few well-known, traditional authors have taken to self-publishing because they can make more money. Granted, they have a built-in fan base and that makes it easier for them. Here is a good post of an extreme example of self-publishing sucess by a famous author who used crowdfunding: https://kriswrites.com/2020/07/22/business-musings-the-kickstarted-game-changer-part-two/ copy and paste or use the search box below. I think your series offers a good chance of successful crowdfunding of a special edition.

New questions.

Did you seek specific help in formulating your query letters?

Did you use querytracker.net or some other website like that?

8/31/2022 02:56:07 pm

All good point. I see three major issues with not going traditional. One, you have limited to no access to brick and mortar. As popular as ebooks are, not selling in physical stores is a major drawback. Two, award and best seller list access You just have no access. Three, major author reviews and endorsements. Unless you personally know James Patterson, it is super difficult to get a "famous" author to endorse your work.

I did one query letter last year. I wrote myself. It has been many years since I did the previous letters. I do not believe that website existed when I sent my queries. I really put minimal effort into that process.

8/31/2022 04:21:38 pm

Those are excellent points. Although sometimes an independent, brick-and-mortar bookstore will stock a book that they like, the biggies buy in bulk to stock all or most of their stores from a wholesaler or maybe direct from the publisher. They don't often buy from indie authors, as far as I know.

Many readers won't touch an e-book. When e-books first came out, the readers were expensive, and the book selection was limited. Some authors made a lot of money in the early days and some authors rushed to cash in on the craze. They wrote books as fast as they could, not bothering to edit or proofread. They published first drafts and of course, readers were horrified at the low-quality writing. Many vowed to never touch an e-book again. They have missed some outstanding reading.

I would imagine that getting a major author to read and endorse a book is pretty difficult. I bet they get hundreds of requests weekly, if not daily. How does a writer even go about asking for a review/endorsement?

The whole querying process is pretty difficult. Agents don't get paid until a contract is signed, then the agent gets a percentage of the advance and of royalties. So, like the traditional publishers, they don't go far out on a limb for an unknown author unless the book is outstanding. I have list of agents as well as other people who provide services to authors on my Twitter page. Click on the three dots under the banner to find the lists.

All of that being said, I am very excited for you in trying to gain best seller status for the prequel. You are the first author I have met to attempt that.

New questions.

After rejecting traditional publishing, did you consider an independent or hybrid publisher?

Or did you choose self-publishing as the best way and why?

9/1/2022 06:25:17 pm

I did for a minute. But they lack the benefits of traditional (they can’t guarantee brick and mortar distribution). And, honestly, I didn’t need them to pay for my editing or cover. So, I saw no benefit.

I quickly moved to self-publishing. I wanted to control all aspects of the process. I am kind of control freak.

9/1/2022 06:44:40 pm

I think that is a wise move, protect your profits and your intellectual property rights. Your IP rights could be worth a bundle to your heirs after you are gone.

I found this book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads. There are a lot of other e-book retailers out there and many of them cover more than one country. Here is another copy-and-paste link that you may find interesting to spread your books even farther: Aggregators just might be an author's best friend! https://www.kotobee.com/blog/everything-need-know-aggregators/ You can also hit the search box below if you would rather.

New questions.

How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?

There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

9/1/2022 07:17:05 pm

I think I am on par with traditional. I am confident my covers are. Editing wise, I think we are close (especially after your last inputs). I think there may have been a few things in the story they would have asked to change. But hard to tell.

Not sure about unethical, but I would hate to have no control on advertising and marketing. If they decide to move on, then I cannot do much to boost sales. I have endless options with my self-published.

Plus, they are so slow. No way I would have published three books in 18 months if I went traditional.

9/1/2022 08:04:54 pm

I think your book is on par also. The last several traditionally published books I read had spelling errors in them also.

Being able to do A-B testing and change marketing strategies on the fly is priceless.

New questions.

Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up no matter how many times you read it?

Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?

9/2/2022 08:12:28 am

Hmmmm. Interesting question. I guess as a kid any books with animals was super impactful to me. Black beauty. Call of the wild.

I used to reread books. Especially the Tarzan series. I think that series ia a major influence on my action scenes. But now I am too busy to read anything more than once!

9/2/2022 09:27:37 am

I read Call of the Wild and at least one other Jack London book, as a kid. I didn't read Black Beauty because it seemed like a girl's book in my childish mind. I grew up on a small hobby farm in a very small town, population around 1300 people. I did a lot of rereading also because getting books was not easy, though I did have a library card for the public library in our town. I was proud of my library card and loved hanging out there.

I don't read books more than once now also.

New questions.

Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

If you could ask every person, who has read one of your books, only one question what would you ask them?

B. K. Greenwood

9/3/2022 11:05:55 am

I think book two is my favorite. It’s a bit of Clive Cussler and a bit Indiana Jones. Plus, Isabella takes a much more central role, and the plot thickens as Thomas continues revealing his plan. And the ending always gets positive comments.

One question… hmmm. Interesting. I guess it would be: “Do readers want more stories with these characters or a completely new and different story?”

9/3/2022 11:11:18 am

Book two sounds good, A shift of character focus sounds like a good idea also.

That is a good question. When I find a series I like I enjoy all the books and am sad when the story concludes. When the author puts out another book, I am happy again. I love good writing regardless of the genre most of the time.

New questions.

Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

9/3/2022 08:08:06 pm

It depends. If I’m on a self imposed deadline, writing can be draining. Be forced to write it terrible. I once signed up for a writing challenge and it was miserable. I hate writing for writings sake. I don’t write and throw away. I’m super efficient and almost 100% of what I write ends up in a book or short story. If I am super efficient during a session, then I am not really energized, but more motivated for later sessions.

I think emotions are what connect characters to each other and to the reader. When you hear one dimensional characters, it’s usually because they are too much do one thing. Badass and stoic and smart, etc. I try to have a range with all my characters. And emphasize the good and bad. Marcus is the “hero”, but he has done some bad things in the past. Everyone loves a redemption arc.

9/3/2022 08:59:45 pm

Every writer is different, many write a lot and have to trim sections, descriptions, dialogue or whatever to make the desired wordcount. Most genres have a pretty well defined wordcount. Too few words and the reader might feel cheated, too many words and they might feel overwhelmed. If you don't have to delete a lot of what you write, then you are an efficient writer.

You nailed that! Characters need depth, they need to be a mix of good and bad just like we are. A realistic antagonist needs to think they are the hero of the story they are writing. Your protagonist seems to be quite a bit like your antagonist and that makes for an amazing story!

New questions.

Have you ever used yourself as a starting point for a character in a story?

Would family or friends recognize you in the story?

9/4/2022 03:31:52 pm

Yes, I think so. I think each one of my characters has as is initially based off people I know, have seen in TV/Movies, or read about in books. They might even be a combination of several personalities. Finding ways to make our characters unique, yet relatable, is a very fine balance.

They do recognize me in the story (parts in Marcus, parts in Thomas). And certainly, my daughter (Sam is modeled after her). The banter between Marcus and Sam is very similar to how my daughter and I converse.

9/4/2022 04:01:40 pm

I should have recognized that you had a daughter because her dialogue with Marcus was very realistic. I have two younger sisters and two adult daughters. The dialogue really resonated with me.

New questions.

What was the earliest experience that made you realize that you could influence and change lives with the power of writing?

Do you have a hidden message in your writings for a particular person or group?

9/4/2022 07:15:02 pm

Since I never wrote much as a kid or young adult, I really didn't see the impact of my writing on others very early on. After I published book one and complete strangers left reviews on my books, I began to realize that maybe I had a talent for entertaining and connecting with people. When someone halfway around globe says they binge read your trilogy in three days and cannot wait for another book, that really boosts your confidence. When dozens or hundreds say that, it reaffirms you as an author.

I really don't have any hidden messages. What I try to show with my books is that everyone is human. Some people were disappointed that Thomas, a disciple, turns bad. I think that is a wonderful reminder that no one is perfect. It's tough, because I try to handle the topic of religion with an objective mindset. I like to point out that my book is not about religion, but religion is the backdrop of the story. Those are two completely different things.

9/4/2022 09:06:23 pm

Without a doubt that kind of affirmation goes a long way.

I was a little shocked that Thomas was a bad guy, a follower of Jesus during His earthly ministry. Your point is perfect, because none of us are perfect this side of heaven. Life is full of choices and choices have consequences and affect our future, in this life and the next.

New questions.

How do you handle bad reviews?

Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?

9/5/2022 08:48:01 am

Ah, bad reviews. I have plenty of 1 & 2 star reviews. And I read every one. Some are genre mismatch. Some have valid points (lots of violence or cursing). But I think if you read the blurb, that should not be unexpected (it is about a Roman soldier, after all). Sometimes I wonder if they really read the book (one said it was boring, which I find hard to believe... but hey, tastes very!).

I have shared 1-star reviews (one went viral on Twitter and helped me pick up a ton of followers). It's all part of the process. If you try to please everyone, you probably don't write a very interesting novel.

Writing Marcus (protagonist) is easy and I enjoy it. He is the mule that carries the story forward. I find Thomas to be the most interesting. How to balance his fall and what comes next? How to show his frustration with humanity, God, and everything in between? His weariness, his pain, and his anger. That was my challenge and I hope I was up to it in books two and three.

9/5/2022 09:51:05 am

I think every author reads their bad reviews. It's hard not to perseverate over the bad reviews also. I think it's important to read the other reviews more, especially if there is something to learn from them or just to balance out the bad reviews, so they don't weigh you down too much. I have said many times, a bad review is a good thing, it validates the writing because you can't please everyone, and it proves that the good reviews are coming from more than your relatives.

Doubting Thomas is an amazing character! You have really struck gold with him. You have laid the foundation for his multiple angsts quite well, so I am sure that you fulfilled that promise in the following books.

New questions.

What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?

Which is more important to a story pace or flow? How do you control it?

9/5/2022 10:10:15 am

Thanks, I tried to make him the most interesting character!

In my protaganist, I hate it when I make him a walking cliche. Meaning, he is too bad-ass or too smart or too good of a fighter. That is why I have him "fail" so often. He does have the ultimate get out of jail card (dying and coming back), but it comes at a price. Dying forces him to relive the most painful memories of his life, so it's almost worse than a normal person dying. He knows what is coming, and will live with the renewed memories.

For Thomas, I really don't dislike anything about him. He is really an open book. In reality, he has this objective way of looking at the world. But, unfortunately, he may have gotten into something way bigger than he ever imagined.

I think flow is more important for me, because pace comes naturally. I write fast and with minimal downtime. But, because I do flashbacks, flow is critical to maintaining the storyline. I have to find ways to tie the flashback into the modern plot. If I don't do that correctly, then the story falls apart.

9/5/2022 01:29:40 pm

You definitely succeeded! I am reminded of another character and series titled, "Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson. The title character is the protagonist and he had leprosy when he was on earth. He fell and struck his head losing consciousness. He awoke in another land and dimension and was considered the savior of that world against a great evil because he wore a white-gold ring. He had no idea how to use it and struggled with believing he had traveled and that his leprosy was not in evidence at all. Fantastic premise and I enjoyed the story so much, I read several volumes, but not all of them. Something shiny and different attracted my attention.

Pace and flow are both important. You are doing well with both. The flashbacks have served their purpose well. You have avoided the overbearing info dump.

New questions.

What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?

Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

9/5/2022 01:35:16 pm

I try to get in 30 mins of writing a day. Not always possible with my real world job.

I like a nice non-verbal background music. Either Jazz, Classical or New Age. I do a lot of micro-burst writing. Write for 5-10, then do some research or editing. really depends on the scene, mood, etc.

I sometimes bounce between chapters to keep it fresh. Currently I am writing prequel that takes place in the early 700s and has flashbacks to the mid-first century. Keeping me on my toes.

9/5/2022 02:19:41 pm

Very good. Many writers aim for a daily writing session, not all achieve it all the time. We do live in a real world.

I learned to concentrate to the exclusion of almost all else when reading as a high school student. Since getting married over 46 years ago, I have learned to loosen that mental lockdown some. Quiet or noise, I can read pretty much anywhere. When it comes to proofreading, I do prefer to have quiet, but I can tolerate a fair amount of environmental noise.

I have encouraged authors to have more than one work in progress. If they become blocked on one project jumping to the other can free up their muse.

Last questions.

What kind of marketing has worked the best and the least for you for this book?

Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?

9/5/2022 02:25:32 pm

I am going to cheat and paste something that I shared on Facebook and Twitter a few weeks back. Top 5 things that worked and did not work:

Things that worked for me:
• Netgalley for reviews (can use a co-op option to reduce the cost).
• Build an email list with book magnets, like a short story or free sample chapters (Bookfunnel and Booksweeps work well for me, and so do FB ads).
• FB ads are my bread and butter advertising media.
• Use every opportunity to reinforce the importance of reviews; Social media posts, newsletters, in person sales, reply to comments on ads, etc.
• #1 most effective tool was a Bookbub deal. But hard to secure and expensive. Best when you have a series.

Things that did not work for me:
• Goodreads giveaway had zero impact on sales or reviews.
• Email blast services are hit or miss (Fussy Librarian, Bargain Booksy, etc.). Work best with series.
• Book blog tours (Instagram, websites, etc.) not that effective for me. I have a few nice video reviews, but sales impact was minimal.
• Avoid any sites where you exchanges reviews. You may violate Amazon rules and they are really not that effective.
• I had zero luck with hiring a marketing agency. They did a ton of work and no improvement to sales.

I picked you because I liked your methodical approach. You were very clear and articulate in what you would provide as part of your service. To me, that is very helpful when making marketing decisions.

9/5/2022 02:52:32 pm

That is a great list. Thanks for sharing that. I am certain your experience will help other authors use their advertising budget effectively.

I think your second item about building an email list could be the best answer for long-term growth especially if you can sell your books on your website. That insulates the author against any one platform from disappearing or changing their rules.

Brendan, I want to thank you for sharing so much of your journey and being a fabulous guest on the Word Refiner channel. I have enjoyed our conversation a great deal. I have another promotion starting tomorrow and must bring this one to a close. I wish you continued success with your books.

Until next time, keep on writing.

9/5/2022 06:45:41 pm

Thanks Mark, it has been a pleasure. Have a great rest of the week!

The Last Roman: Exile by B. K. Greenwood

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