Thank You!

Thanks to all who braved the blinding snow in Missoula on Sunday to join me at my book signing for Taking the Mystery Out of Business.

Despite the snowstorm, we had a wonderful turnout - as I had yesterday at the Missoula Businesswomen's Network's 6th Annual Women's Symposium.

I'm Just Loving These Reviews

May I share the lovely news? Taking the Mystery Out of Business just received its second 5-star review in 2 days. I can't emphasize how terrific it is to know that other people receive a benefit from the sharing of the lessons I've learned.

Here's what the reviewer had to say:

This business book "delivers the goods" exactly as promised. I've seen textbooks that weigh in at 20 pounds and contain the same information, but in less palatable form. As a current business owner, I discovered ideas and concepts I wish I'd known from the start.

• Who will benefit from Faulkner's book? Anyone who's considering a business venture. The seven scenarios of why businesses fail (page 37) are worth the cost of the book.
• Anyone who operates a business and needs to increase income or cut costs.
• Managers and employees who want to excel and grow.
• Experienced professionals who need a refresher course.
• Business students who want to master the basics without spending $140 on a giant textbook.

You can't go wrong -- this book is worth the money!
 
To view the review on Amazon, click here.

Woo hoo, 5-star review!

5.0 out of 5 stars - Do more, earn more, and enjoy more with your small business, January 27, 2011

Alain Burrese, top 1,000 reviewer on Amazon, gave Taking the Mystery Out of Business a 5-star review today!

Hop on over to my blog for the Taking the Mystery Out series of books to check it out: http://takingthemysteryout.blogspot.com/2011/01/5-star-review-for-taking-mystery-out-of.html

What NOT to do Before your TV Interview

As smart as some of us think we are, God has a way of allowing us enough rope to either hang ourselves or ... embarrass ourselves into humility.

Take me, for example.  I've been interviewed on television twice before: once when Second Time Around was released in 2009 and once back in around 1989, just before I became president of the New England Chapter of RWA.  On both previous occasions, I was nervous.  Nah, that's not the right word.  Panicked is more like it.  Only in a good and happy sense, of course.

The first two times, I told all my friends and family--well in advance, just when my interview would be aired and how they could view it.  I did the same this time.  Only this time, I also plastered everything all over Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In.  You know, like I'm supposed to do:  use social media to market myself and my new book, Taking the Mystery Out of Business.

The first two times, I allowed MORE than enough time to drive to the TV station.  I did the same this time.  Only this time, I made one, teeny, tiny mistake:  I GOT THE DAMNED INTERVIEW TIME WRONG.

As I was pulling off the highway at 6:15 a.m.--two minutes from the TV station and a full fifteen minutes early, mind you, I got a call on my cell phone from the TV producer.  She wanted to know where I was, because I was due at the TV station at 6 a.m.--fifteen minutes BEFORE.  She also wanted to know if I could get there in 5 minutes, which is when my interview was supposed to air.

I said I could get there in 2 minutes - which I did:  Thank God for the early hour and no traffic.  I managed to slip onto the set and get hooked up to the microphone with about 90 seconds to spare.  (No puffing after that sprint, either!)  My interviewer, Monte Turner, leaned over to me and asked, "What kind of business person are you that you're late to your TV interview?"

He was smiling, and said it in a kidding voice but, believe me, I didn't think he was funny.  (He probably wasn't laughing on the inside, either, even though we know each other and have done business together!)  If I'd had time to think about it, I'd would have been mortified.  The humiliation set in after I left the TV studio.

Yeesh!  I'm lucky they didn't tell me to take a hike.  I learned, once again, that no matter how confident you feel, no matter how often you've done something, no matter how much time you think you have, don't take any of that for granted.  These folks were kind enough to give me free publicity and I gave them nothing but an anxiety attack.

Oh, and a couple of free copies of my book.  It's the least I could do, right?

Here's the link to the interview, in case you want to check it out to see if my pounding pulse was really visible:  http://www.nbcmontana.com/video/26574907/index.html

I'm Interviewed on KECI TV's Montana Today Show

Thanks to Monte Turner and Megan Angelo for their graciousness this morning during my visit to the Montana Today show. 

To view the 3-minute interview, click here:  http://bit.ly/e4uO4L

Woo Hoo, Great Review!

I'm thrilled!  My first review for Taking the Mystery Out of Business is in!

Maryann Miller--editor, journalist, and columnist--has posted her review of TMoB on her blog today.

In part, this is what she said, "While the book is aimed for those who are full-time business people, there are things a writer can learn to deal with the business side of publishing ... Some of the topics that I found most helpful were having the right mental attitude, relationships, organization, and time management ... I highly recommend this book for all writers. Linda has the background and expertise to be totally credible, and the book is written in a comfortable, easy to understand style."

You can check out the entire review at Its Not All Gravy and you can learn more about Maryann at her website.

STANLEY MOVES IN by Jack Rosse

My crime writing buddy, Bill Kirton, is now writing children's books as Jack Rosse.  This is a perfect example of a writer writing what he knows - he's been telling stories to his grandkids for years.  Then again, Bill writes all kinds of stuff.  Maybe when I get to be as old as he is, I can write in forty-seven different genres...

Anyway, Stanley the grumpy fairy is hilarious.

Check out his trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ci7qZhzKA90#!

Purchase on Amazon

You can also check Jack/Bill at these places:

Bill's website

Bill's Blog: Living, Writing, and Other Stuff

Writer's Digest - a terrific writer's resource

I decided to cross-post this item here and on Author Exchange Blog.  It's worth the click.!

Outlining or Pantsing?

We all know that some writers need to use a detailed outline when writing a book and other writers begin their novel with a terrific character, a story idea, or a scene that simply won't get out of their heads.

I've always had a fairly clear outline when I've started a novel:  first three chapters are vivid, the ending is established, and most of the remaining major scenes through the first two-thirds of the book are set up.

Currently, however, I decided to trust my right-brain and let if fly with a terrific idea, four characters (two protagonists, the antagonist, and supporting character), and the basics of a plot.  My left-brain, however, still can't completely let go of the compulsion to jot down all the things that need to be connected, some of the things I absolutely HAVE to do as the book progresses, etc.

Do you think that's especially true of storylines that involve mysteries or suspense?  Or does it work the same way with straight romances?

I've always wanted to write a pure romance and focus simply on the relationship.  But my unconscious always throws in a dead body, a stalker, or some other puzzle that the two main characters have to focus on.

Any suggestions about why that is?  Any advice about pantsing?

I'm Interviewed on Writers in Business

Brigitte Thompson interviews me over on Writers in Business today; check it out:  http://bit.ly/hWmuGc

What Can I Say on Facebook?

Okay, here’s the thing. I know social networking is the wave of the future. I know we writers need to get our names out there as much as we can: on Facebook, Linked In, Goodreads, Twitter, etc.

Personally, however, I’m a bit frustrated.

How can I promote myself (in a positive sense, that is) if I have to censor myself? As a writer, I have a problem with that. On the other hand, as a business person I absolutely see the need.

Unfortunately, I’ve got a Push Me-Pull You thing going on inside.

What do I do when someone I don’t care for asks me to befriend them or “like” their fan page? Do I tell them the truth: No way in hell! or do I prostitute myself and be a hypocrite?

I also have to consider that if I “like” the other person’s page, maybe they’ll “like” mine. Maybe they’ll buy one of my books. Maybe one of the people who “likes” them will “like” me.

Okay, not very likely. But still, what if?

Another thing that frustrates me is when one of my FB “friends” posts forty-seven times in three hours. I don’t really care that her cat barfed on the bed, that she heard her favorite Aerosmith song on the radio today—not once, but TWICE, or that she plans to have lasagna for supper.

True, maybe other people DO care about those things. After all, if my granddaughter posts that stuff, I read it. But still…

And although I don’t want to give anyone the false impression that I lack confidence, I’m a bit leery of posting too much stuff about ME. After all, I want people to like me, buy my books, and spread the word. But cripes, they can’t really want to know what my favorite color is, when I last went potty, or who I’m going to vote for in the next election. Can they?

So, people, help me out here. How much is too much? What kinds of things do you WANT to see on Facebook?