First Word

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...

Over the years, I've had this discussion with business owners. What privacy settings should you use when you have a Facebook page? The other question centers on who you should allow as a "friend" and should it only be people you really know? I'm going to provide my opinion to each question: Privacy Settings --people who are in business for themselves and promote any material with their actual names on it should never set privacy settings to the strictest levels, which is only friends can see your page. If you use your name on your marketing materials (and this applies to authors in particular) then your "fans" are going to search by your name. The whole point of social media (more important than using it to socializing if you're a business person) is to network and connect with others. Locking down your page and preventing others from reading your Wall puts a barrier between you and your audience. Potential connections who are trying to size up your bu...

As a writer, there are always those characters you like to write. In my new novel, Body in the Trunk my two favorite detectives Phil and Leron provide the best moments. To put this conversation in context, Leron continually brags to his partner he has sex with his girlfriend Evonne every single night, which evokes the question of whether or not it's true. Here is a scene that comes after Phil "could" have seduced one of the female protagonists, which he did not, and Leron is disappointed in his lack of performance.  “Yo man, you played checkers with her?” groaned Leron when he heard his partner’s story from the evening before. They were standing in the line to board the plane, a three-way stop to New York. The woman Gladys at the precinct who booked travel always chose the cheapest flights to, of course, save money. Phil thought how ridiculous since the time lost cost more money, but you can’t argue with a five-foot tall Asian grandma who ruled the travel budge...

If you're going to write in the romance genre, you will need to learn to build sexual tension to keep readers hooked. For the record, this scene is from my forthcoming novel Body in the Trunk due out in Spring 2014. This kiss you're about to read is nothing more than a forbidden kiss between two would-be lovers. You don't have to get graphic to make a scene very hot and steamy. Notice it builds in literal beats. This scene doesn't take place until nearly page 80 of the book, so the reader till now has been watching the romantic leads tease each other. If the book were all-out erotica, you would have much more graphic scenes, which there is going to be a passionate payoff for sure. But not so early in the storytelling process:  An invisible soul gave me permission. I kept my eyes on his. And ever so slowly centimeter-by-centimeter I let my lips move toward his. He didn’t stir. He was quiet and waiting. My lips slowly enfolded his supple lips, and the embers began to s...

Rating: **1/2 Bad Grandpa is one of those juvenile delinquent comedies you can't help but laugh, but mostly about the expressions and reactions of those around the offending characters. Please note, I am no Polyana and I knew going into the theater exactly what the movie would most likely involve -- a lot of base potty humor. I was naturally right, but my teenage son wanted to see it, so I obliged. Do you know the type of movies where you laugh, and in the back of your mind you're thinking, "I shouldn't be laughing." Yes, Bad Grandpa qualified for this category of movie. I have to admit, though, I like a belly-ache laugh every now and again, and whether my higher sensibility was chastising me or not, I still laughed. For the record, though, I never enjoy watching children turned into little foul-mouthed versions of adults, and Billy, the little boy, became the subject of some jokes I didn't enjoy. The big one was the beer-drinking scene where he chokes...

Rating: ** I am a Ridley Scott fan. One of my all-time favorite movies Gladiator is a Ridley Scott film; so I went to see The Counselor with hopes of a movie that would be worthy of a five-star rating. I was disappointed. This movie was less action than cerebral exploration of life, greed, love and grief. I have to get my superficial comments out of the way. First, the costumes and slick fashionista approach to the story distracted from the realism. From the sunglasses to the hokey hairdos, it was much too much. Yes, we got the impression of the world of the rich and well-to-do, but at the same time, I found myself staring at the colorful wardrobe and ridiculous hairdos than paying attention to the story itself. The actual story revolves around an attorney's fall from grace as he lets his pursuit of money get him involved in a drug cartel scheme to move drugs across the Mexican border to Chicago. This movie is a who-is-screwing-who mind-bender, except about halfway through C...

It's Friday, and I always try to find something part information part entertainment to lighten up the mood. Today I have a super funny submission story. When authors submit manuscripts they do so as Word or PDF attachments along with a summary of the book. We don't have super lofty requirements. Today's humor involves an author submission done in a very unconventional way -- he took a photo of it. Mind you not a straight-on shot. The page was angled and in shadows. A straight-on shot I might have been able to actually read; but a shot where the page was going off the "photo" (so to speak) and in shadows ... hmmm. Not to mention in my decrepit old age, I need reading glasses and couldn't read it anyway. I honestly started laughing. I think there must have been some worry about stealing the idea. Well, don't fret there fella. I couldn't read it to steal it ... or accept the submission LOL. And that is your amusing tale for a Friday morning.

Do you realize that teenagers today don't even know what is a rotary phone? How about a manual camera? A life without text, voice mail or email or Skype ... what's that? My son wouldn't know what is an measurement of focus on a camera let alone know how to set it to take a picture. Film, what? You mean you don't have to simply download your pictures? What about a record? A vinyl record or a record player or even a tape deck? The technological leap that enables all the wonderful digital pleasures we enjoy today have also created an even greater instant gratification mentality. Who wants to wait to see a photo developed anyway? And our communication has so greatly changed. Who would have imagined lovers could fight in text? A typing war of words and feelings. Text arguments are kind of strange, too, because it's a cold media. The good, you can organize your thoughts. The bad, no verbal cues or voice inflection. Actually, since I have partaken in text feuds a few tim...

Now with social media taking over the networking landscape, here are three things NOT to do on social media: Logos as your face on a professional page and not a fan page – never place a logo in place of a face. People don’t interact with brand names and swirly letters. They like to know they are talking to (e-gads) an actual warm-blooded human being. Fan pages are different. Liking a logo works in this case. I can think of a handful of “logos” I interact with and wonder, “Is this a guy or girl?” Mug shots are scary – don’t use your iPhone to snap what appears to be nothing more than another Lindsay Lohan mug shot. If you’re genuinely using your social media to market and network, try a nice and professional head shot that is appealing. I’m not saying you need to look like a super model or GQ guy just keep it nice and “in focus.” What ya got in your hands there Fred ? What are you doing in your profile picture or background shot? Drinking? Table dancing? Wearing a biki...

"I guarantee an Amazon best-seller," is the promise that should a publisher make run for the hills. In a recent meeting with a prospective author, he asked me what I thought about that promise. Could I do the same? I stared at him and thought about what I wanted to say, but the look on my face must have given away the sarcasm waiting patiently on my tongue to escape. I finally relented and said, "I too can make that promise. I'll have my staff buy up 10 copies of your book in one afternoon. Boom! How's that -- you're an Amazon best-seller. Does that work for you?" Any publisher that suggests their group can make your book and Amazon best-seller, or more like "promises" they can do so can only deliver with a guarantee what I just suggested. The value of the contract this author was looking at was $10,000 and a promise. I smiled and told him, it would cost probably $150 for that publisher to deliver his/her guarantee. He nodded and agreed he th...

I run into writers who are also professional editors. I'm sure they're all very good at their jobs. These same writers often get it into their heads that they don't need an editor -- they're editors. Most of the time I can talk them out of the "I-know-how" tree and back down to the ground and their best interests. These writers are often skeptical of my intentions since they falsely believe, "Well, she's just trying to make money." I am naturally in business to make money; but I'm not telling people they need an editor because I'm trying to make money. I'm telling them what I'll just call a "flat fact," which goes like this: even the editor needs an editor . Here are the reasons why even if you're the queen or king of editing, you, too, need an editor: Snow blind AKA computer screen blindness -- I think of it as snow blindness since the screen background is white. Time and time again our minds insert words wh...

In my random thought process, I wanted to share some of the things in personal branding that I find sometimes entertaining. So, here for fun on a Friday: Business Portraits --ever notice the Bonnie Plumbing picture of the husband and wife team? Ever notice that picture has been the same for the last, what? Twenty years? Did you see their recent commercials where the wife is pretending to be the same age with the same dated hairdo? Kind'a scary and weird if you ask me. Do you think that helps their brand or makes her look ridiculous? I vote for the latter. Ever hire their services? Um nope! Business Portraits, Take II --ever seen a real estate agent's business card with his/her picture? Ever meet said agent to notice they don't quite look the same anymore? He/she is using a picture taken 10 or 15 years ago. Does he/she look ridiculous? Yes. Advice from the peanut gallery: keep your business portraits current to avoid the silly reality you're not 30-years-old anymore...

  The first time Phil or D. Phil, as they called him at the station, sat and really sized up Tess was at the Starbuck’s across the street from the station house. He found her cute, energetic and maybe a little ditzy; he wasn’t sure yet. Her strawberry blonde hair and bright green eyes sucked him right in. Some guys loved women’s eyes, and Phil was no exception. You had ass men, tit men and eyes guys – he loved eyes. His ex-girlfriend Diane had the most beautiful hazel eyes imaginable with curled, thick eyelashes. It also didn’t hurt that she had one of those amazing, hot bodies with big tits and a perfect ass, but undoubtedly her eyes won. She could seduce him with one look. “Those were the days,” he chuckled to himself as he sat and waited for Tess to bring the tea and coffee to the table. Tess ambled over gingerly holding each cup in each hand. She carefully placed Phil’s Tall tea in front of him, pulled out a chair, and sat swiftly down. She took a tense sip fro...

I see authors fall into this problem: writing not just cliche characters but cliche scenes. Let me give you an example: a scene in a police department. Every single element is exactly what you would expect. The hot-head police captain, the lesbian police officer, the heated argument over the case. These kinds of staid and expected scenes lower the quality and originality of the storytelling. They accomplish critical negatives: the reader is non-plussed with the lack of imagination and knows exactly what to expect with the outcome, because it all so "been there done that". In fresh and original writing, the scene becomes less obvious and unexpected. In building originality, the writer decorates the canvas with new and colorful interactions. For example, instead of the hot-head police captain we have the soft-spoken maybe even effeminate leader who gets his way with a softer, kinder and more important unexpected approach. The female officer is a bohemian goddess who wears ina...

Yours truly enjoys the delicious French Toast Casserole with other breakfast goodies. Selland's Market Rating: ***** Selland's Market , my favorite location in El Dorado Hills, hits the sweet spot of good, clean food at an economical price. As a business woman I'm going to tell you what this establishment does right from a marketing perspective since this isn't a restaurant review site. What they've done is create a chic family atmosphere with organic and upscale products that fit perfectly in the demographic. At the same time, they offer value with their prices (they have a great $25 dinner special that comes with a bottle of wine). The location itself sits right in front of the manmade pond below, and in the summer and warmer months, you can sit on the patio. They keep costs low by offering counter service and bringing your meal right to your table. Forks and utensils sit on each table, and outside it's a help-yourself table near the entrance. The sma...

Rating: ***** Just to show the movie studios a little something important -- grown-up movies done right still rule the box office. Two very grown-up films Captain Phillips and Gravity dominated the box office ticket sales in a refreshing change since a summer onslaught of terrible movies. After seeing Captain Phillips , I actually noted how refreshing it was that we weren't be subjected to films targeted toward 12-year-old boys and pre-teens. This gritty, realistic and action-packed movie is filmed in that handheld camera style that has become popular that gives it a sense of frenetic realism. Now I am not a fan of this style and find it hard to follow and a little annoying, but I soon got over it. The film has a documentary-style to it and creates such a normal everyday feel about it. Any stars in the film are hidden behind their average, everyday appearances. Hanks' Capt. Phillips comes across as a normal family man who runs his ship with a stern, polite manner. Then ...

I have over the years ranted about people who don't understand that they can't just post anything in the world on social media even if it's a personal page. I recently got a glimpse of an associate's picture in which it was like his 10th picture with a glass of wine in his hand. Now one glass of wine, no problem. Maybe you're at a party, and it's a toast. Second picture, well, okay I'll give it a pass. Maybe you're just at a lot of social functions and you have a glass to relax. Third picture ... now I'm starting to look sideways ... here are some important points about why it's important to mind what you're photographed doing -- especially if it's imbibing too much. Employers and Prospective Clients Now Look on Social Media -- yes, perhaps you've been interviewing for a new job. Did you know that many employers now use social media to check you out? Young people should be especially conscious of this fact. So, party picture where ...

I am sitting here staring at my desk. What do I write? Is anyone going to care what I write? Do I care what I write? The exercise is really this: sit down and write , which is how your overcome writer's block. It's a simple exercise indeed. I get asked all of the time, "How do you overcome writer's block?" My manufactured answer is always the same, "Sit down and write." You would be surprised what flows out of you. I can promise, though, that staring at a blank field will get you nowhere. Digging for ideas in your "blocked" brain ... nowhere. I wasn't sure what I was going to say when I started this blog. I just sat down and wrote something. Now I have a blog on writer's block. See how that works. Just let random ideas flow out of your brain. Some idea will hit you. Go with it and let the journey guide your work. See where it takes you and what you end writing down, and then rewrite and revise and reorganize if it's a bit random. Pr...

I was walking with my boyfriend Kirk to dinner the other day and said, "Oh, Boardwalk Empire is on tonight?" Kirk replied, "Do you think anyone will die in tonight's episode?" "Oh yeah, we can consistently count on a body count -- it's Boardwalk Empire !" We both laughed. Yes, and our beloved Eddie threw himself out a window for betraying Nucky. Then Frank, brother of Al Capone, came to his untimely demise, too. Can't recall if the body count exceeded two ... well, for that episode anyway. Gangster shows seem to rely on violence and death as the main story thrust. Sopranos was also a reliable show to provide plenty of death and mayhem. Why do we like these shows? Beneath the never-ending action and body count, you also get strong messages about family, loyalty and even love. Boardwalk Empire is reliable, taunt drama that sucks in viewers with its action-packed stories that move and move and kill and kill. Am I a fan of violence? No, ...

I thought I would start a little more serious a column I'm titling " Love Letters". ( You never know what's going to pop up on my blog. ) " Today's topic is about devotion. Inside the heart of every man There is a lust you understand And I'm just the same When all the love has gone away And passion stares me in the face Could I walk away Here's hopin' You'll help me to be brave Devotion save me now I don't wanna stray from the hallow ground I'll turn temptation down I'm asking you to take me to safety this time Forgive my thoughts when I'm asleep Forgive these words I'm yet to speak I feel so ashamed Right now you seem so far away So much confusion clouds my mind And I don't know which path to take Here's hopin' You'll help me to resist Devotion save me now I don't wanna stray from the hallow ground I'll turn temptation down I'm asking you to take me to safety this time Devot...

Much like Andy Rooney, I decided I'm going to start a column called "Things I find ridiculous," and today's silly item is a product called It Cosmetic, a line I found at Ulta. Please notice the two features I find silly aka ridiculous: the phallic-shaped tip and the rubber "grip" -- all silly "enhancements that are useless. First, since when do we need to "grip" our "slippery" mascara tube? I don't know about you ladies, but I don't find myself "holding desperately onto my mascara tube." "Oh no! Oh no ... noooooooo -- it's slipping! Ah damn! It slipped." Secondly, the phallic-shaped tip. My primary question: and this enhances the application process, how? But alas, it's not done there yet girls. This application tip is rubbery! Yes, it bends. May I point out that pushing our phallic-shaped device back into the hard tube with its rubbery feature doesn't work very well. I ended up with black m...

Gravity Rating: ***** This film is the best of the season -- and one of the first films I've seen in months that I gave a perfect rating. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney (yes, only two actors), Bullock's Dr. Ryan Stone's character carries most of the film. On one hand, the film is a typical struggle-to-survive tale, and on the other hand it's a spiritual metaphor about the will to live and take action in your life. The story opens with our astronauts out on a routine space walk and mission. Light banter ensues and a notation that Dr. Stone isn't feeling well up in weightless space. The story quickly moves to a life-or-death challenge as space debris from a destroyed satellite unexpectedly hurls at destructive speeds toward the shuttle and its passengers. The plot point is how are Clooney's character and Dr. Stone going to survive after their ship is destroyed? (And I'll leave it at that as to not spoil the fun.) What is captivating is how...

I recently found myself in a situation where an individual went off on me about her "perceived" role of what I should or should not be doing at an event. It was very interesting. First, I am the CEO of 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com), and this was a professional event. What this person got her knickers twisted over was interesting and inappropriate, but none the less she went off anyway. One of her major complaints involved why I was not processing payments and lifting books in boxes. I got to thinking about this complaint and realized there was a greater misunderstand and even a cultural issue about expectations about women. I will start with this basic question to address the complaint: Have you ever seen a CEO at an event lifting boxes and processing orders? The CEO is the company figure head. I was there to meet and greet and represent the product. I hire people to lift boxes (because frankly I have a disability and cannot do it anyway), but the expectation that th...

I am working on a few media campaigns, and I thought I would share a few tips for either those who want to try and do some promotion for their product or service or for those who hire a PR rep and want to know what to look for in terms of expertise. The cliche low-hanging fruit tip #1 . I always laughed in corporate when fellow executives would refer to the ever-popular sales term "low-hanging fruit." A few of them thought that knowledge of that phrase made them kind'a special ;). All right I won't digress and rant about the useless. When launching a product, or in our case a book, you have what I would rather call the no-brainer opportunities . No-brainers revolve around regional media that is easier to court. But here is the tip, how do you take advantage of ALL regional opportunities? Always look for the regional hook. In launching the latest book 30 Magical and Memorable Family Vacations, we went after Auburn media, which is where the author lives, and Folsom me...

About the 10th time the cat's paw reached up and grabbed my hand on the mouse, I thought, "I'm going to come unglued." Then the paw reached up and scratched me, "That's it! I AM coming unglued." Ever feel that about work and life? Americans are a bunch of unglued workaholics ... well, not all but many. My friend the other day said to me, "You're CEO. You don't get to give your 100 percent; you always have to give your 110 percent every single day." He's right. I know all you CEOs and entrepreneurs out there are nodding. It's not enough to give only a 100 percent and call it a day. The demands of the business, including the ongoing financial demands to keep the framework and walls all in place take a lot of effort. As owner of the company I am responsible for it all. I have to keep the "glue" going. But some days I just feel unglued, especially when the obnoxious cat won't stop clawing my busy typing fingers. BUT ...

Death Grip Marissa Hartman Rating: **** I like to feature books on the blog from my company 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com). All of the books are outstanding, but every so often one comes off press that I think is fun and will do well in the marketplace. Paranormal romance is a popular genre right now among romance readers, and Marissa Hartman has tossed her talents in the ring to join the ranks of terrific paranormal romance writers. Her debut title is Death Grip . I personally coached Marissa along with the assistance of novelist and screenwriter Scott D. Roberts to help her shape this book into a first-rate romance that will lure readers into the intrigue. Our heroine Lucy becomes embroiled in a complicated love triangle where she must decide several key personal issues and resolve one important relationship to move on. In its other worldly nature, the book explores interpersonal relationships and begs questions about metaphysical experiences and love that transcends th...