Be Cool

Composed in Akron, Ohio--

One of the secrets to running your own company is dedicating yourself to the work, but I also recommend working at relaxation.  All of us need should schedule downtime to do things that give us joy and peace.  Reading can be just the ticket. 

I've just finished a three-day engagement for an insurance provider here in the Buckeye State.  I'm teaching their sales professionals and executive team to be better speakers.  Nerves are an issue for most speakers, so I guess I'm teaching people to be cool under pressure.  Coincidentally, I enjoyed an audio book by that name on the drive down to Akron. 

Be Cool was published in 1999, but the fiction machine known as Elmore Leonard continues to crank out the hits.  Leonard's been in the news lately because his old book 3:10 to Yuma was recently made into a movie. 

The author is known for his sharp dialogue.  He writes the way people talk. I’ve met Leonard; he lives just down the street from me in the adjacent city of Michigan. As it turns out, I know the name sakes of several people in Be Cool.

Elliott Wilhelm (the "Samoan" thug) is named after the head of the Detroit Film Theatre. The DJ in the book, Ken Calvert, is named after the legendary Motown DJ. Journalist Mike Downey is named after the real newspaper guy, who is a terrific writer. 

I highly recommend Leonard’s fabulous story-telling for anyone who wants to escape real life for a while. This audio book was read by actor Campbell Scott, perhaps most famous for his role opposite Steve Martin in The Spanish Prisoner.

Like 3:10 to Yuma many of Leonard's books, Be Cool was made into a motion picture.  John Travolta was excellent in the role of Chili Palmer.