First Word

Rating: ** This movie got great reviews by both viewers and critics, but in my review I would give it a mediocre thumbs down. The primary problem with American Hustle is it's a story loaded with unlikeable characters. You couldn't root for any of them -- not the conman or women or the FBI agent. It's always okay to have villains or bad people, but someone in a film needs to have some redeeming traits to make you root for someone ... anyone. The story is about a con-couple whose crimes get them roped into Abs-cam to get them off the hook. They are forced to con politicians in an elaborate scheme that eventually involves the mafia. The central couple's love for each other is muddied in the casting. The comb-over head conman is unattractive, and the girlfriend is very pretty. It becomes unimaginable why this beautiful woman would get involved with a married, unattractive guy with a kid. Maybe that mirrors real life in some respects, but really if he had been likable...

Rating: ***1/2 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is about one simple theme: don't day dream about living life, live life. The movie is about a "negative review" guy named Walter Mitty who works in the photo archives of Life . The magazine is about to close and go strictly online, and Walter is charged with the keepsake of the final cover image. Walter, who has forged a bond with the photographer, is upended when he realizes that negative 25 has gone AWOL. With the threat of losing his job, Walter finally comes to that all-important fork in the road: are you going to do it or day dream about doing it? Realizing that he hasn't truly lived his life and wanting to impress his love interest, Walter embarks on an adventure across the globe to retrieve the photo. Since I never give away spoilers, all I will say is the movie takes a few interesting and unexpected twists. I saw the movie on Christmas Eve, and it was inspiring and a nice way to invite the new year. Walter...

Rating: ***** Another delightful film just in time for the holidays. Saving Mr. Banks was a wonderful distraction during the bustle of last-minute Christmas shopping. It is a must-go but mostly for adults. It's not really geared toward children so don't get that confused. The movie chronicles the 20-year "courtship" of Walt Disney to get the author of Mary Poppins to give him the film rights to her books. The prim, proper and uptight Mrs Traverse is so married to her books and story she won't budge an inch. It is only after her financial needs necessitate she sell the rights that she reluctantly gives in and flies to the U.S. to help write the script. Mrs. Traverse isn't an easy sell, and the movie depicts through flashback the psychology and reason why she won't give up her stubborn need to have the story produced down to her every specification. Sweet and endearing, it was fun to see the world of 1961 Disney and Disneyland back in its early era....

You want to hear the no. #1 complaint made by authors after working with my company 3L Publishing ? Authors have a seamless experience working with my team, and then when the book comes off press and it gets posted to Amazon and starts selling, the upset starts. So I thought I would take a moment to blog about the perils and realities of Amazon. Lesson no. #1: I don't own Amazon . Yes, tis true. If I owned Amazon I promise this blog post wouldn't be written. Amazon does what Amazon does. They are an enormous corporation. Think of me like an ant compared to a redwood tree. Ants have very little power or influence over the tree. They can walk along the bark and up the tree, but they can't make a dent in the wood. Lesson no. #2: If it's "Out of Stock" it's not 3L's fault . Amazon orders in metrics based on demand so that they don't keep a large on-hand inventory. This means they order "as necessary" with a few extra copies. Books that be...

Getting a nasty head cold after being four years of cold-free, I am quickly reminded why coughing is painful. You know when you wake up and don't feel well, and the day beckons anyway. Yes, I feel this way. The day is crying to be lived, and I feel like (excuse the profanity) shit. I am missing all the holiday festivities. I haven't left the house all week. Tissues all over my desk. I'm a sick sad sack. I am apparently a productive one though because I finished the first draft of my new book Body in the Trunk . I am working with my book coach novelist and screenwriter Scott D. Roberts to perfect it. He's been sending me notes, and per his instructions I am on revisions. I love the book coaching process -- it's collaborative on your own project. I used to enjoy working with a writing partner to bounce ideas around, but I also prefer to develop my own projects solo, too. A book coach gives you an opportunity to have someone dedicated to your project who can give yo...

A novelist friend of mind mentioned she had writer's block. So I thought it was time to once more explore how to overcome writer's block. Before I discuss the subject, I do want to say something about accepting the "blockage" versus battling the clog. I didn't write anything major for two years after suffering some major losses in my personal life. Writing is a creative, intellectual and mind-intensive process. If your emotional house has been emptied of the furniture, so to speak, maybe it's time for you to sit Zen-like in that house and accept it. I wanted to say this because writer's block due to a pure emotional depletion isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's your mind's way of saying, "Whoa! Wait sister or brother give me a vacation. I don't have anything left to give." I just couldn't write anything major simply because I lacked heart and motivation. My distraction and life re-build took front and center. I was focused o...

It's done! The 3L Publishing website got a major facelift. You can see the new website by clicking here . I also wanted to show off the site. Most people don't realize that 3L Publishing also provides marketing and Web development services. Yes, we focus mostly on our core business, which is publishing, but the marketing programs designed to promote books are also available for individuals and small businesses to utilize. We are experts in marketing and PR. Our marketing programs include: Websites Media kits Brochures Branding and Logo Creation Newsletter Templates and Content Blog Design and Content Support Business Card Design Bookmark Design Signage We also write marketing strategic plans, which many companies should be considering creating their marketing plans for 2014. If you would like more information on these services, please contact us at 916-300-8012 or send an email to info@3LPublishing.com. 

Traditional thought on how to reduce high cholesterol is being challenged in the new book  So You Want to Live to be 100?  by John E. Bakos MD. In this exciting new book, medical doctor and author Bakos uses his years of experience studying and evaluating patients with high cholesterol to reveal this surprising information on how to reduce high cholesterol to ensure your heart and vascular system stays healthy and hopefully save you from very common causes of death and disability. Half of all Americans are dying from cholesterol- clogged arteries! According to WebMD, thirty-seven percent of Americans (about one in three, equating to over 110 million people) have cholesterol readings over 200mg. As a result, millions of Americans are at risk from suffering the effects of high cholesterol, namely its association with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Millions of Americans are essen...

I have a confession: I periodically get depressed. My cycle influences that depression, too. I am normally an upbeat, positive person, but I definitely get struck by sadness and uncertainty. I'm one of those people who likes to know where the road is going in life and when things start to as I put it yesterday "drift" along, I find hard to let go and just see where life is going to take me. So for all of you "control freaks" out there, here is what I've learned and let's see if it helps. Control is an illusion : you all know that don't you? As humans we think we're mighty and in control. Reality is control works like this: I can control my thoughts, actions and behavior. The rest ... strictly up to God or the other person. You can't make anybody do anything. The ideal is for that person to want to do things. You can set up conditions where the other person will want to do something, but that is all. Thinking that you can control everything ...

When writers go to self-publish and they don't have experience with actual publishing, I see so many common mistakes. I always encourage writers to use professional services vs. do-it-yourself attempts that visibly fail and make their products -- whether books or brochures -- look unprofessional. The following are some common mistakes I see with self-published books, brochures or anything that requires professional service to get it right. Poorly Trimmed Children's Books or Graphics --while an author may not be overly bothered about his or her illustration being cut off because of misaligned template specifications, this mistake jumps out every time. I will casually thumb through one of these children's books or graphic-intensive flyers, brochures, business cards, etc. and notice the graphics are cutoff. I've seen many children's books with these problems. Illustrations cutoff right along the edges. Print alignment is math. You need a graphic artist who knows prod...

Regional writer Scott D. Roberts, author of Vengeance is Now ( www.vengeanceisnow.com ) has been named a winner in the 2013 “50 Great Writers You Should be Reading” contest sponsored by the Authors Show ( www.theauthorsshow.com ). Roberts won for his first novel Vengeance is Now and will be featured in the book 50 Writers You Should be Reading . Roberts was selected as a finalist and winner after submitting his humorous essay “Russell Crowe is a Complete Jerk.” Vengeance is Now , an erotic-thriller, takes readers into the life of Tate Holloway, a disgraced former police detective and secret gigolo, who goes on the run after his arch nemesis and serial killer “The Eye” successfully frames him for murder. Roberts comes from the Hollywood film community where he wrote, produced, and co- directed the award-winning documentary, “Gas Hole,” narrated by Peter Gallagher. He has written several screenplays and has had projects optioned or bought by Paramount, Columbia, MGM, EUE/S...

I don't watch much television, but every now and then I catch a show. Well, the other day I was mindlessly sitting on the sofa when a commercial came on. It was an "Author's Kit": everything you need to be an author. Wow! My mouth dropped, and I wondered since when did my chosen profession become a Tinker Toy set? We ALL can be authors, and here' the kit. I imagined an engineering set: here is your Build a High Rise kit complete with concrete and hammer. You too can build a downtown high rise just use our handy kit. Dear friends and prospective authors if publishing has now come down to a KIT we're all in for a lot of really bad books. Do-it-yourself publishing kits do not replace professionals. Each part of publishing is a profession. Editing is a skill. Writing is a talent. Graphic art another profession. People go to college and attain degrees to perfect these skills. What I think happened is the eBook revolution has created a slippery slope. An area that...

It's frozen outside -- the roofs and cars and grass all crystal white this morning. I felt inspired with Christmas upon us to review the 3L Publishing books I think would make marvelous Christmas gifts. Let's start with our latest children's book just released in time for Santa's sack: Princess Josie . This stunning children's book is perfect for little boys and girls between the ages of 4-10. Younger children will enjoy a parent reading it to them and older children can read aloud to parents. I took my little girl to the book launch, and she absolutely loved the Princess Josie bundle that includes a puppy dog and aptly scripted "Princess Josie" dog dish. The little plush toy looks exactly like the dog in the book. As the publisher, I was thrilled with the final product. What makes Princess Josie stand out is the impressionistic art style of the dog and family. I would go so far as to call the book a true work of art. The story about a puppy who think...

Ooops! I forgot to blog this morning. I am always bragging to people that I blog daily. But do you know how hard it is to keep the words going every single day? Sometimes like today I just have to start tapping away on the keyboard and come up with something meaningful to say about life, business or publishing. Today I thought I would answer the question: What is a book coach? I'll start by saying what a book coach is not ... a guy who stands on the sidelines and yells and screams, "Go get 'em boys!" Yes, not a book coach. A book coach is ... A knowledgable writing expert who guides your novel or even nonfiction book to be written in the correct storytelling or formatted structure. An expert who can tell you and provide advice on: Character development Good vs. bad dialog Story arc and development Ideas and comments on plots and sub-plots Someone simply to hold you accountable to meet your goals I am working with my own book coach, who is Scott D. ...

I've officially been single now a whole year LOL. Having ventured into the single world and experienced all its "colors" I felt compelled to share some advice for the guys who are trying to meet me on Facebook (in particular). Now buckle up because the advice I'm going to doll out is super hard, you know, like rocket science ;). I am really messing with you. But pay attention guys because if you're doing any of these things ... well, you aren't going to get a date very fast. Tip Numeral Uno -- Spelling! Punctuation! = Literacy First, I am a writer and publisher, and that largely known fact is splattered everywhere on my Wall. So, boys perhaps (and this is a big insight) you might dare to think I value literacy. Yes, when you send me a barely readable message where every word is misspelled and you don't know punctuation from adulation, I'm giving you a thumbs-down. Simple attention to detail goes a long ways. Like you would with a resume, your mess...

Many people propose niche books and mistakenly believe it might not sell. Here is what I've discovered about niche books. Unless the niche is super narrow (think of niche like only girls with authentic pink hair will read it), a niche book has long-term viability and typically enjoys a long sales cycle. Why? Because niche books usually have little if any competition. I'll give an example. The book Beyond the Iron by Wayne Kurtz has consistently sold a handful of books each month over the three-year period since its release. The book is about ultra-distance triathlons (we're talking thousands of miles of biking, cycling and swimming). How many people do you know who participate in these events? Except for Wayne I can't say anyone else. Wayne, on the other hand, flies all over the world to participate in these events, and he is constantly promoting his company Race Twitch . He meets plenty of these extreme endurance athletes all of the time. So when people want to know ...

Good or bad press is always good press. Attention is, after all, attention and a spotlight on anything calls attention to it. I was reading a book review of another author's book. Now I know this book very well (and I'm not going to say the book to avoid "insult to injury"). I got extremely annoyed when the book reviewer, who was slamming the book, started making specific statements about the content. What's worse, the statements and the examples were not from the actual book. I was aghast to read the reviewer say the writing was bad, and then show examples that didn't come from the book! How can you say a book is poorly written and then use examples of why that aren't even from the material? If you're going to criticize something try being accurate. You can't say something is poorly written and then write something poorly written as an example that doesn't come from the source. I wasn't sure whether to laugh, mock the reviewer with a ...

Rating: ***** I'm not a huge fan of animated film, but I take my nine-year-old daughter to the ones I think I can actually sit through and not get too bored. Frozen was one such film. My daughter begged for weeks in advance of its release, so I obliged. The misleading perception is that it's a film about a talking snowman named Olaf, but it's really about two princesses and their relationship. A friend of mine scoffed, "The snowman looked stupid so I didn't want to see it," and while the snowman is a part of the film he doesn't even show up until about halfway through it. The film opens with the two sisters playing together and enjoying the older girl's magic powers to create snow and ice through her hands. Upon an unfortunate accident that nearly kills her little sister, the older girl is moved into isolation (her powers are predicted to grow) to protect the other sister. This results in the older sister "colding" herself off from the...

Rating: **** Another adult film released amidst the usual holiday popcorn flicks worth seeing. I'm just not a fan of the mega popcorn flicks unless they're just so great like Avatar you can't miss it. So with that thought I passed on Hunger Games and went for 12 Years a Slave . This film is like the 20th century version of Roots . It does nothing to glamorize slavery and takes a realistic perspective on the brutal reality of being a "free" man who loses his freedom when he's kidnapped and taken south to New Orleans and forced into slavery. As an educated man, he is self-aware and knows the difference between enslaved and being free. The film realistically walks the viewer through the emotional and physical breakdown of the man forced into degradation. The film is not uplifting. It's brutal and sad. Even at the end, you're not feeling inspired to do much more than hope slavery is ended forever everywhere in the world. The movie addresses the human...

Today's rant is to make fun of myself. I am down in Marina del Rey taking care of a close friend who had surgery on her ankle and is stuck in bed. I have my trusty laptop, and my scattered mind to keep me productive today. First, I woke up this morning thinking about my forthcoming book Body in the Trunk . In my distracted fashion, I was thinking, "Hmmm ... I'm not sure I'm happy with that premise. I think I'll map out a new direction and adjust the manuscript." Then I thought, "Oh, I better write that down or I'll forget my new direction." Of course, I got up and thought, "Oh, I need coffee." My gal pal doesn't drink coffee. So off to the local cafe to grab my "dark roast" and then back. As I escaped outside I looked and around and sighed, "Oh, I forgot how nice the weather is in Marina del Rey." (I used to live here.). Then I trekked back to the apartment, and thought, "Oh, I need to check email." The...

In working on my new book Body in the Trunk due out in Spring 2014, I started using a technique I'll call story layering. When I was working with Scott D. Roberts' critically acclaimed novel Vengeance is Now , which is receiving non-stop praise and making the list of the top fiction books of 2013, I noticed he used story layering. I will describe it the way I do in my book, which is not how Roberts did it. I have a story that is doing a past/present storytelling technique. As the detective in the book unravels the mystery, the reader gets to go back through the eyes of the victim to see what actually happened. Each chapter is a layer to the story that moves seamlessly back and forth between the story-telling methods and "layers" the story together, which is another way of saying "develops," too. But it's not just story development, it's truly a layer on top of layer. Kind of like a layer cake with each layer being glued with the frosting, which is ...

Yesterday I reviewed what to look for to protect your own interests when it comes to self-publishing on the editorial side. Today we're going to address graphic services and production. The funny comments I have heard from misinformed people who don't know what they are talking about goes like this: How hard can it be to push graphics around on a page? My answer: it's harder than you think and it takes education, knowledge and skills. Graphic artist is a true profession not a kindergarten class where you learn to draw squares, which is what that comment suggests. Further, production is a whole other part of the process, and it requires respect for the capabilities of the graphics person. Graphic art is an entire degree program at college. So, the misunderstanding that it's pushing pictures around on a page is very ill informed. When it comes to graphic design, what I'm going to do is share information that will help you as you move through the publishing process...

3L Publishing ( www.3LPublishing.com ) is looking for that next great manuscript to publish under our traditional publishing model. All authors whether professionally published or not are invited to participate.  Here is how to enter and participate: 1. Send your  book summary  and  sample chapter  to 3L Publishing to  info@3LPublishing.com . 2. We will review submissions and narrow down to 16 finalists based on: 1. quality of writing 2. quality of story and 3. market potential Finalists will then be invited to participate in an American Idol type judging that will involve three judges (see bios below). We will hold 3 writer's groups meeting where we will have each author get in front of the group to describe their book and read their sample chapters. Readings will be limited to 15 minutes each. Critique sheets will be distributed to audience participants to evaluate and vote on their favorite manuscripts. The three judges will offer c...

Like any business environment you have those who run nothing more than a racket as publishers. I have more authors show up to meetings to discuss their attempts at self-publishing that were abysmal failures. The common complaint goes like this: "I spent $10,000 at XXX publisher and never received a thin dime in royalties." Now there are some common self-publishers whose famous names could easily be used in place of the XXX's (and if you want to know their names, call me at 916-300-8012). It is sickening to see authors spend that kind of money to have not nothing financially to show for it, but also have some unattractive products. Now I would, of course, love to prevent authors from throwing money literally down the drain, but then these same authors think I have an agenda and may feel my warnings are dubious. Well, of course I'm trying to earn a living as a publisher, and 3L Publishing is doing great; but it really does bother me to hear these shameful stories of ...

I am working on a new self-help book titled In the Footsteps of Greatness by Josh Mathe. In the book talks about the power of visualization. It reminded me how important it is to visualize your dreams and goals.  He remarked that when he did it and then actually experienced the results and they were the same as his vision it often even spooked him (my words no his). It got me thinking. I have not been using visualization as often I used to do. So today I decided to visualize a few things I want to draw into my life. He also mentioned doing a morning ritual of gratitude, which I believe is important, too. So for those of you who would like some assistance on how to visualize and draw in what you want vs. what you don't want, here are my tips to how I do it. When I first wake up I like lay in bed a little longer. I'm relaxed and warm, and this time of day is a great opportunity to visualize. I often also meditate upon waking too. I think the morning is the ideal time to do ...

I read this statement in a recent review of the 3L Publishing book Vengeance is Now , which to paraphrase went something like this: strictly bad and good characters are boring. Author Scott D. Roberts and I have discussed flawed characters practically from the first time we met each other. We both have a propensity to enjoy the flaws the most -- and it's those flaws that prevent boring. In real life do you know anyone who is perfectly "white" or perfectly "black"? I know people who are overall good people, and I know people who I question their morals and ethics. Truth is most of us have our good points and our "messier" points. So when you're writing a novel or a story, it's always more interesting and provocative to make characters "gray" and then fill in the greater or lesser color of white or black. Let me give an example: In my forthcoming novel  Body in the Trunk , I've written the ex-husband as a real jerk. Yet our heroi...

Social media is becoming a hotter and hotter way to market your company. As a business owner, I appreciate the value of being able to reach right to individuals in my audience. There are all sorts of tricks to leveraging your social media presence and increasing visibility. Since Facebook really doesn't come with a manual, some of its capabilities and features are trial-by-error to find and use. I only randomly learn things from other social media users who will mention something in passing. My usual response is, "Oh really?" A few things I've recently picked up. The more you post the more you're viewed . To move up to the top of the news feed, post frequently enough to move up. Also, some people who like your posts will tag you as a favorite, which can be done by hitting the star next to the person's name. People you mark as favorites will post at the top of the newsfeed, too. Aforementioned star tags are useful to weed out those posts you don't care...

I always see this self-help advise that suggests women, in particular, need to learn to say "no" more often. We say "yes" and over book our lives. The funny thing is that many women probably say "yes" to things that affect their personal lives, but they do not say "yes" often enough to professional opportunities. In fact, I would suggest the opposite. They say "no" way more often than they should when it comes to seizing opportunities. The reasons usually have to do with fear: fear of failure, fear of change, fear of even success (yes, some people are subconsciously afraid of success). When asked to "leap" fear holds them back. Opportunities show up daily if you look for them. Opportunities to take risks and try something new with great potential. So, my challenge is not to tell women to learn to say "no" more often, but rather than to "yes" and take those risks. Try new things. I'm always experimenting...

I run into two kinds of writers. Writers who are absolutely, totally in love with the craft. And writers who are either infatuated with the idea and glamour of being a writer and do nothing to back their declaration: I am a writer. These "writers" are the ones who will ask stupid questions like, "Are you a real writer?" I remember once I was getting a massage and the masseuse asked, "Are you a real writer?" I muse over that question. I've been asked the other silly question, "Are you a real publisher?" To answer both questions: I don't think that writing is like imitation lemonade, artificial or sweeten with Sweet 'n Low. Can you be a "juice drink"? How about on my website (www.3LPublishing.com) I post one of those warning labels: writing and publishing sweeten by an artificial talent that involves a lot of hot air and misleading information and is bad for your business . Maybe next time I'm asked, "Are you a rea...

A prospective client mentioned she blogged but quit because it was too confessional. I started wondering why the confessional nature of her blog made her quit? I thought she should just quit "confessing" on it and shift the content if she had an audience. Then I wondered, should a business owner or entrepreneur "confess" anything on a blog at all. Here is my conclusion: It depends on the nature of your business . Let's begin with that premise. Are you a counselor? Well, most counselors are not supposed to delve into their own lives so perhaps direct confessions are a no, no. Do you sell products and services? You might want to stick to the product and service world you live in. Do you write self-help or inspirational books? Ah, now we're getting into an area where a little "confession" helps your product and adds credibility to what you're talking about. When I "confess" anything on this blog it typically is with the idea that like ...

This strange change started happening with the book sales. We used to rarely get book sales through the 3L Publishing website vs. Amazon. Out of nowhere, sales for all books began to spike and add up. In order to give you a benchmark, we used to get 3L sales about once every two months when a major book wasn't in release. In the last two months, we get near-daily if not daily sales. Not just of one book in particular but across the board with the new books. What are we doing differently with marketing and sales? I actually can't say any one thing in particular. We do continual and habitual marketing through book promotion and PR. We blog, send out a weekly newsletter, and update social media on a regular basis. I haven't been out networking as often as in the past, but I'm finding that social media has replaced the need to network as habitually as I used to do. I will just say one thing: persistence. Make sure you keep your marketing activities persistent. I believe th...

3L Publishing's graphic artist Erin Molina used to say that to me. Over the years if there is one thing I've learned in publishing where you're dealing with deadlines is "don't bake the cake before it comes out of the oven." What does that really mean? Worrying, panicking and generally having heart failure over something that hasn't even happened is a true waste of perfectly good energy. The point is that whatever you're worrying or fretting over may never even happen -- and look at all the energy you expended in something that didn't come to fruition. As a project manager, the key tactic I've learned is to stay cool, use your head (know your stuff), problem solve, and then fix whatever is going on. A few useful tips for managers: Always get out ahead of the problem --this means if you see something brewing or you suspect something could happen, just take measures to ensure it either doesn't happen or make a preemptive strike so it never...

Like relationships, sometimes book success is dependent upon hitting the mood of the readers at just that right moment. I get asked all of the time how to create a best-selling book. I don't have a formula. I've come to the point where I simply admit it's a crapshoot, do you want to play or not? Many factors can influence or derail a book's success. The mood of the readers is one of them. Perhaps you've written an amazing action-adventure but everyone is reading fantasy and action-adventure literally overnight became passé. You're about to release your book and its publicity and potential success is suddenly eclipsed by the release of a mega-seller that everyone wants to buy, and your book has absolutely no relationship to that subject matter. Maybe the cover is off-beat somehow. We had one book where it's about vacations, and everyone thought it looked like summer and it was released for the Christmas holiday vacation season. This misconstrued thought about...

Slate showers with cobblestone shower pans were part of the eco-friendly design. Rating: ****1/2 The recently remodeled Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz, CA is a major winner. Before I get into the review, I want to say that overall I've always found the city of Santa Cruz to be slightly grungy and prefer Capitola just a few miles up the road. Santa Cruz has a rundown quality that can't quite match up to its sister coastal cities like Capitola, Monterey or Carmel. At the same time, it offers a fun shopping area in the downtown and is center to many activities. Wanting to try something different than tried-and-true favorites, I spotted Hotel Paradox online on Expedia that had a great offer for $180 a night, which is not the standard rate, which is closer to $250 to $450 per night. Taking the last-minute offer, I booked a room based on the room pictures that showed an enticing, clean and well-decorated room. The gamble paid off. The redone 1950's-style hotel had been reno...

It's Friday morning. I have my coffee, and I've got my Mac and my thoughts for you. A friend of mine was talking and said, "I love it that when you say you're going to do it, you do it." This statement begged the question, "Are you a doer or a talker?" And this leads to my cute story of the day. I've known what I wanted to do almost my entire life. When I was in high school, I toted around a shoebox loaded with stories I wrote (OMG) in ink pen. A little side note: Remember those Bic ink pens with the clear-plastic on the outside so you could see the ink? They probably still sell them. When I wrote my stories, I wrote on unlined paper and I wrote in ink pen. About once every two weeks I had to toss my Bic pen because it was clean of ink. Friends marveled at the empty pen because they had never seen one before. The little tale should give you a good idea of how much writing was going on. Anyway, I had these "friends" (I use the term loosely...

As a writer you often have several ideas for books floating around in your imagination. I started writing my new novel Body in the Trunk , which I intend to release next spring at the RT Book Lovers Convention in New Orleans. I've had another book idea floating around, too, and it's officially titled Flying Lessons: How I Learned to Soar in Life, Love and Business . It's a compiled inspirational/self-help book that is designed to teach people through personal stories how to succeed. Now I'm not talking about monetary success. I've had plenty of monetary success, but certainly not at the millionaire level. It's more about what kind of mindset and outlook on life removes barriers and negative thinking that traps people into mediocrity and accepting far less than they deserve. I placed this quote on Facebook yesterday, and I think it states the theme of the book very well: Never, ever, ever aspire to a life of mediocrity! You are better than average. Always a...