Thank You Valencia Pointe Women's Club!

Last night I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker for the Women's Club at Valencia Pointe. It was wonderful. These are a bunch of fiesty, social, intelligent women who definitely don't waste their lives. The ladies made me feel very welcome. Some of them I know already from my work there as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor, but they were nice enough to invite me to speak at their meeting after their women's book club chose A Wasted Life as their selection this month.

Jill was a wonderful promoter over the past several weeks and Linda gave me a stellar introduction. Rhona and Lena were the moderators and some of the questions and answers were very thought provoking and interesting. The feedback I received from the ladies really made me feel that people understand the complexities of the characters and the main ideas of the book. There are intrinsic values and ideals that people are relating to when they read this book. Even though I was able to give a little presentation about how I got started writing and my main objectives with the book, it was wonderful to hear from all of them and answer their questions. This opportunity really meant the world to me. Not only is it great for an author to hear the feedback regarding the body of work, but for me, this was really a chance to come full-circle. When I was in the thick of writing this novel, I was also going through a rough time in my personal life, dealing with the loss of my grandmother ("nanny"). Prior to nanny's illness and her passing I had started working at Valencia Pointe and other communities through THS. I kept late nights because it was paramount for me to spend as much time in the evening with nanny as possible and then I would come home to write into the morning hours until collapsing into bed...only to wake up and get the kids off to school and then go teach classes at VP. Little did these ladies know what was going on, but I gave everyone my all, using up my last bits of energy. Funny thing about fitness and giving the gift of fitness is that it is contagious! Through knowing I had to be there for my job and for the ladies, I was actually feeding off their energy and eagerness to learn and get fit. The symbiotic coexistence of motivation and vitality is what fueled me to keep going, even during my most trying and exhausted of days. If that isn't proof of the mental and physical benefits of fitness then I don't know what is.

Then once the book was written, the ladies were so excited to see it get published and then attend the book signings. It was a wonderful time. A real celebration for the culmination of hard work and passion to live out a dream. Even if they don't realize their small part... they really were a part of it all. Therefore, to be able to speak to them first and hear what they had to say, it was a heart-warming moment for me. Thanks ladies!

The BEA and NYC

I am back from New York City and the BEA ( Book Expo of America). I went to NYC in search of making connections and seeing how the publisher was going to be represented and represent my book, A Wasted Life, at BEA. Although my book did not get scooped up by a major publisher or become the subject of a major motion picture...I still accomplished my goal...and I had a fabulous time! There is something about NYC that brings the kid outta me. A quick burst of nostalgia was just what I needed.
Monday evening: I had major nerves at the thought of taking the plane to NYC and leaving my family. I mean how would they survive without me for 48 hours? I got through the flight even with the non-stop coughing, very sick woman sitting behind me. Forget hand sanitizer, can anyone say body sanitizer? When I got there, my cousin was waiting for me in style... a Beemer from the zip-car lot. That's my boy! We went to a quaint Italian restaurant and I had some great quality time with my cuz at his bachelor pad in Lincoln Center.
Tuesday: Adorned in my T-shirt that read in bright colors, "Ask me about getting wasted," I was headed to the Jacob Javitz Center for the book expo... the same one that Babs is speaking at about her decorating book and Fergie is attending while tons of reporters stalk her amidst her scandal. When I got there I realized that most of the exhibitors were there, but setting up, not yet "exhibitting." Okay, a little setback in the itinerary. So I took a deep breath and tried to rewire my thinking. The BEA came with a pretty hefty cost per day. I could only afford one day. I decided I would squeeze my time on Wednesday, before my return flight, into the BEA. I told the girl at the desk I was leaving and to register me for the next day. Before leaving, I decided I would look around and get as far as I could. I had my bookmarks and business cards and I was ready to mingle despite my trepidation. The Javitz is huge and "book" people can be intimidating. There were plenty of lectures going on. I was walking through a sea of people with badges. I was the only one without one. I decided to keep going up the escalator to the exhibit area. I saw wonderfully interesting displays and spoke to wonderfully interesting people. Then something caught my eye..It was my publisher's booth right before my eyes... and MY BOOK! This is it. This display will be up for the whole show. Wow this was great placement. At least that was a score. And I met some pretty cool people. I gave out most all of my bookmarks. My return to the show was still up in the air.
Then I took off to meet terrific friends ( Luis at Fox) , have lunch in Rockefeller Center wih Jaclyn and Danielle, shop at Macy's with Jaclyn, head to the The Muse hotel for drinks to meet more friends and family (Liz, Sheryl and Fara), then to the theater district for dinner before returning to the Lincoln Center and my cousin Vinnie.

Wednesday: The next day I awoke to realize I needed to run downstairs to Starbucks. That's when I was greeted by Regis as in Philbin. A little later I would see his cohort on the street doing a segment for Regis and Kelly. Then I enjoyed the tiny part of tranquility one can find in NYC. .. Central Park...A gorgeous day, watching the horse and buggies go by, along with the nannies, the joggers and bikers. That's when I realized... I need to make the most of whatever time I have left. I knew I was near ABC studios. I quickly asked my super hubby to get me the address to Joy Behar's show. He texted me back with it and armed with a book in my purse, I was on the move. I arrived at the studio after walking ten blocks west in 95 degree weather. I was told to hit all points of ABC, security included, until I finally reached the messenger center. Voila! I was told to write a note and put the book in a special bag. I hope this book will actually make it into Joy's hands... The guard said by noon she would have it. Really?? Okay, I'm gonna go with that and hope she received it. Next I retrieved my bags, headed to the subway ( a scary reminder of what I don't like about the city) and then to meet a friend for lunch. Then I hailed a cab for about a half hour (they were all on shift change). Then I got "Mr. Cabbie's Wild Ride through Queens." And that was just what I needed to make me long for home and get the heck outta dodge. A friend was waiting for me at the airport and we had a wonderful chat on the plane ride home. It was fun while it lasted, but oh so great to see the palm trees that greeted me at the airport when we landed, sunshine and my family.

Thank You Boynton Beach

Just a quick update for all who are following the progress of my book. It made it into the pages of a local magazine, Boynton Life. If you live in the area please check it out or go to www.boyntonlifemag.com to see the article. I'm still out there trying to let people know about it, as I am so proud of the "after effects" the novel has had in helping people. Thanks for all your support Boynton Life magazine. If anyone has any other great ideas for A Wasted Life, please share.

Two Degrees of Separation- from Oprah!

I can hardly believe it has been a month since it happened. I think it's amazing even though nothing really came of it... it is just a hoot and a story I will be telling my grandkids.

It's no secret to my close friends and family that I love, love, love Ms. Oprah Winfrey. I even gave her a mention in my book. So it would come as no shock to anyone to know that I have been composing a letter to her since the moment I finished writing my book. I just had a wild inclination to share it with her and perhaps she would consider it one day for her book club or make mention of it in her O magazine. Wild thought, I know. It started as an idea that a client gave me, when he asked me how I was going to get my book in Oprah's hands, or anyone else for that matter. A man with much business savvy and marketing expertise, he threw out some ideas to get noticed, one being to hire an impersonator of someone the person I was sending the book to admired.

Hmmmm, I got to thinking...Oprah was a big Barack Obama supporter. Perhaps Michelle would be the way to go. So I googled impersonators in the Chicago area where Oprah's Harpo Studio is located. I came up short on Michelles, but almost jumped out of my chair when I saw Barack. Mr. Reggie Brown had it all, the looks, the voice and had been on George Lopez and Hannah Montana. I found my man and I was sold. I wrote to him, never thinking he would accept my offer to go to Harpo and deliver my book to Oprah. After all, this man was being paid well to do appearances and high-powered functions and here I am with my lil ole girl-next-door request.

Be that as it may, I was driving home one afternoon with a friend in the car when I got his call. I couldn't believe my ears. He wanted to help me out but unfortunately he was living in California now. Bummer. But he was nice as he could be and he said that next time he was in Chicago to visit family he would let me know. He told me perhaps in April. I was a little disappointed and did not want to wait but I figured I would spend that time perfecting my letter and designing a pretty box to send it in, along with the book of course.

So you could imagine my surprise when he called me a week later and told me he was unexpectedly going to be in Chicago in about two weeks. He wanted me to send him a copy of the book so he could read it. Once we got all the logistics straight, I needed to overnight the book to him so he would get it in time and then send out my box to his parents home in Chicago so it would be waiting for him when he arrived...I was so excited!

I worked on getting some contacts for him so that he would at least get to a receptionist, however I would've been thrilled if he just made contact with the security guard. I felt that no matter what, this situation will get talked about and then maybe my book would wind up in someones hands who could make decisions and not just tossed in the garbage. So everything was going smoothly and the package was waiting for him when he arrived in Chicago. He planned to visit Harpo Studios on Friday when she tapes live. He called me play by play. He had a buddy of his dress up as secret service to make it look official. He called me while he walked down Washington Avenue and people were asking him for his autograph and coming over to see him. He was pumped and I was pumped for him. He had his own agenda that day, but I didn't care. I was happy to be part of it all, even if it was via the phone. I prepped him on what to say and wished him my best as he got ready to approach the building. He then added a tidbit of info that really sent me into a tizzy. He didn't need my contact that day because he had one of his own... a friend who worked there in a high position for O radio would be meeting him at the door to escort him in. Well get out of town!!!

I was jumping out of my skin, met a girlfriend to tell her about it and then rushed home to watch Ms. O at 4 p.m. my time. He was there. He called me. He said he came in and the receptionist was blushing and people came out to see him. He was escorted across the street to security clearance and then took a walk through part of the studio. He said it was so beautiful in there and the decor was amazing with fireplaces and so inviting. He took a walk down the "blue" hallway that i am guessing leads to where she tapes the show. He could see it. He was equally thrilled as I was. Pink and Dwayne Johnson were guests that day. I was watching, knowing he was standing right there with my box. He called me back when the show was over to tell me that the hand off to his friend was successful. She told him that she would do her best to get it to Ms. Winfrey.... okay freaking out! Good going Reggie. He was also invited back to see the show and perhaps get a chance to meet her. Yeah for him!

It has been a month and although I did not hear from anyone, nor did I expect to... I am still tickled and laugh inside every time I think of Oprah and that she may be reading or have read my book on her way to somewhere fabulous or maybe even while curled up next to her five dogs or winding down before bed with some green tea.
HA! What a thrill.. and a good feeling to know I did something...I tried for the impossible.

Here's more of what folks are saying about A Wasted Life

- Marlo,

I want to thank you for autographing and personalizing my copy of A Wasted Life. Rich and I both read it and enjoyed it so very much. What a very talented writer you are! I thoroughly enjoyed your easy style, especially the dialogues, and the way you told the story from both your perspective and your father's. What a wonderful adventure it was for me! Of course what really is important is the intrinsic message of the story. Living life to the fullest, being grateful for all the people and blessings one has, and not being afraid to tell those you love how you feel about them every day is what it's all about. Life is too short to do anything but that, as you stated so well. It is a message for all people and for all time. -Rich and Marie

- Marlo, I wanted to let you know that my Aunt read your book and LOVED IT ♥ ~ she has been smoke free for 27 days !!- Utona O'Shea

Great things are happening!

I am a bit excited and overwhelmed by some of the "happenings" as of late. First of all I received a phone call tonight that really proves to me that this book of mine and the written word is powerful. Our cousin Gwen called me tonight and I haven't heard from her in a while. She sounded like she had either been crying or maybe had a slight cold. I asked her if everything was okay and she just stormed me with her overwhelming feelings from reading my book. She said she was moved to tears and that it was fantastic. I felt so proud to hear praise but then what she told me next really filled me up with pride that this Lil ole book of mine has the power to be such a true gift in all different and unexpected ways to those who read it. She told me that because of what she read, particularly the part about Joey's fight with cancer, she has not had a cigarette in days. She added that she is really reevaluating her life and how she is going to live her next half, smoke free. Wow, I am so proud of her and boy do I wish her luck.

Oddly enough, this is a real full circle happening for me because her daughter Rikki is one of the catalysts that led me to reevaluate life in general and to chase my dream of writing a book.

And so I continue to try to get the word out but it is a hard road when you are just an ordinary gal. However I will have an article out in the March edition of Boynton Life Magazine and I will be trying to work on getting into more publications. I've also been invited to be a guest speaker at a book club. For those of you who love to read I am also a member and an author on goodreads.com.

Enjoy!

Well it is the new year and I am ready to get to the business of marketing for the book. Thank you to all my family, friends and associates who have supported me on this journey so far. Your comments keep coming as you read and I am really enjoying all the feedback. it really makes me happy to know I can touch lives, heal and inspire through this book. It is surprising to me and makes me feel that all my hard work was worth it. Here are some of the comments I have recently received:

"I just finished your book. Wow !! It truly moved me.
Not just that, it was very well written and entertaining.
My first stop at the library each week is the shelf of new authors/fiction.
I'm constantly looking for something fresh and exciting. This is it !!
I also relate to the character, Joey. He reminds me very much of my brother. I laughed, I cried, there's nothing better a book can do for you.
Congratulations..........Well done !!" - Maggie at Cacace Studio & Gallery

"Marlo, I received your book today and just finished reading it. It was the most magnificent book I have ever read. Beautifully written. touched me very deeply." - Utona O'Shea

"In your novel, I just finished the chapter in which you superbly describe the Madonia Brothers Bakery. I felt I was there, shuffling the toe of my shoe around in the powder on the floor, while waiting in line for a canoli. The best thing about the story continues to be that it is a page turner that moves right along."
- Larry Offner, editor

Tonight's the online book event. Can't wait!
9:30 - 11:30 p.m. on Facebook, this site and my email.