Linda replied: Thanks you for asking. The book is due out officially in all the bookstores across the country on March 31st, but it just so happens that I will offer the book to my friends on QVC on Monday, March 10. I'll be there all day if you have a second. Or you an catch me on my book tour, which will be the first two weeks of April.

Linda replied: I was watching the President, and didn't know about the verdict until after the President spoke. I was very happy for the Goldman and Brown families.

Linda replied:: What? Did you see me an hour ago? Is that how you knew about the cab? My toughest challenge... I think it would have to be my battle with bulimia. Because it could have killed me, and I knew it. To this day, I find myself going to thoughts of doing it when I've had a bad day. It's really a toss between that and being part of my father's Alzheimer's.

Linda replied:: I live in New York City, so I have to get up about 5:45am in order to get to the studio in Brooklyn. Rehearsal is from 7:30 to 8:30. Also in that time we have to get dressed, made up, and do our hair. And at 8:30 we start to film the show. My day differs every day. Sometimes I can be there all day and night, and other times I can be done early in the morning. It takes a full day to shoot one hour of television. And that day can be from 8:30 to 8:30 that night. If it's a party or a big production number, it can go into the wee hours.

Linda replied: That's a great question. I think it has to do with me more than the medium in which I work. I feel now more confident, more sure of myselfas an actress. I take bigger risks, and have a lot more fun with it than I did back then. I know the medium has changed, and I see the changes every year. I'm not sure how I feel about them, whether I think it's changed for good or for bad. What do you think?

Linda replied: Give me a minute... I'm thinking... The most wonderful Valentine present I ever received was a hand-made card from my husband, Frank. It was very simple, and because it was hand-made, it meant so much to me.

I think if you take a simple rose, give it to her with a hand-made card, and possibly a hot dog at lunch, and way, "I didn't want to scare you or come on too strong, but I really like you. Happy Valentine's Day." She will die... she will die! And you must let me know on my home page how it turned out. And don't forget the hot dog... it will make you homey, cuddly, fuzzy. She'll think you're adorable.

Linda replied: I love being a homemaker. I like everything to do with a house. When I have time I like to cook. I like to look for antiques, and I like to move things around rooms. I love to garden. I like to get dirty, and eat hot dog.

Linda replied: I have for so many years worn the same makeup, which is Pan Stick by Max Factor. It has the best coverage. I buy it at the drugstore. It works.

Linda replied: Liberace and I met because he, too, was a fan of Another World. He had sent me an invitation to opening night at Radio City. Days before that, I accidentally met him at Tiffany's. He got very, very excited when he met me, and asked if I was coming to his opening night. I was so thrilled and honored. I said yes, and Frank and I went to the show at Radio City, and afterwards to the private party in the Trump building.

He told me that night that he would love to come on Another World and work with me. And, as you all know, he attended two of my weddings. It was a great joy to know such a consummate and gifted performer. But an even greater joy to know such a deeply giving and loving man. I miss him still.

Linda replied: 9-1/2, and boy do I hope you're a shoe manufacturer!

Linda replied: Thank you very, very much. I know weight is such a difficult thing. It's the battle that we never seem to be far from. I lost my weight with the Bonios plan, and because it was so successful for me, I made an infomercial for them. I would be happy to give you the number in order to contact them for more information. 1-800-760-5490. I really hope it helps, and good luck.

Linda replied: I absolutely loved the spoofs. I was very, very flattered. And Nora Dunn was a fan of Attitudes, and that's what gave her the idea for the piece. And yes, I met her many times, not only on Attitudes, but also I once spoofed her on Regis and Kathie Lee.

There's a very funny story about my late father, when SNL was spoofing us. He thought I was actually on the show. Nora did me so well that even my own father was confused, and I was never able to convince him otherwise.

Linda replied: Boy... I'm sure there are a million of them. I know there have been days where I hated what I did, or didn't like the way I played something. But I guess the biggest mistake was when I didn't talk John Aprea into staying on the show... because I could have. Stupid.

Linda replied: No, we have several directors. And occasionally a visiting director. I think we have four contract directors.

Linda replied: It was the most thrilling moment of my career. And it wasn't just because I won such a wonderful award, it was the friends in the audience, my colleagues and peers, who stood up, and who seemed genuinely thrilled for me. It's a night I will never forget.

Linda replied: It's very frustrating for all of us at Another World. We don't have the answer, really. Sometimes it's because the writing isn't compelling enough. I certainlny think the acting and the effort on everyone's part is really good. But it's really tough to put on a show every day, and with such competition from the other networks, and get new viewers. What do you think the problem is?

Linda replied: The guides and tips and tricks and philosophy behind this book applies to all of us--men and women. My husband read the book and said, "Wow, I'd better stop buying blue shirts!" He got it. So if you buy the book, and I hope you do, please let me know (on my Web page) how you like it...from a man's point of view.

Linda replied: I do get recognized when I'm out, quite a bit. And no, it's never tiresome. If you want to know the truth, I am very grateful. It means that I'm not washed up... that you must like what I do. I believe that signing a note to someone is an honor for me, and part of why I'm an actress.

Linda replied: I began my career in California in nighttime television, and in films. It's always fun to go off and do something different than the soap. But my life now is in New York, and it's hard to get me to pursue other film roles because of all the complications it makes. Although I've just done a Homicide for NBC that will air February 14th, and boy would I love to go back there periodically.

So if you would like to write to Tom Fontana and say, "Boy, was she great! I'd loveto see her again!" I'd be really grateful.

Linda replied: How could I prove to you that I am here? Ask me something that only Linda could answer, and believe me, I'll tell you the truth.

Linda replied: Aren't you sweet? Thank you! Thank you very much. After the day I spent crying over Gabe, I'm not feeling very pretty. So your words mean a great deal.

Linda replied: I'm not sure where you live, but I know Another World was changed in Los Angeles and parts of the west because of that new soap, Sunset Beach.

Linda replied: We all miss Frankie. It was a great character, and certainly one that I worked with a lot. So that was a very sad day for many of us. The way it was handled, I believe, personally, was insensitive to women. She was murdered brutally. I thought it was excessive and unnecessary, especially since she was the mother of a young child. It was just too graphic for me, and I don't think that's great television.

Linda replied: I love Phantom! Which part do you do? Of course you should continue to act... We all have to start somewhere. Get yourself into some acting classes at school, and also some psychology classes. And take a lot of history. You have to be smart to be a good actor.

Linda replied: I hope so, but ask me to come. My publisher has no plans to send me to Canada. I would love to come, it's been a long time since I've been there. I love Canada. So please, get a campaign together to get me up!

Linda replied: I know it probably seems that I have no tiime for anything, but I do. I make time for my family, and friends, my home in Connecticut. And when you really like to do something, somehow you find the hours to do it. I love designing, always have. So somehow there's hours in a day where I get the work done.

Linda replied: You're so nice to say that. I've often thought about doing a cosmetics line, and still talk about it. Maybe in the next year or two. It would have to be something very simple, very inexpensive, and really useable... so it would be just something that became part of our everyday lives, something we wouldn't have to worry about ever again. Do you know what I mean?

Linda replied: I think about Attitudes. It was a lovely time for me. We had a lot of fun, for a long time. You always miss those memories. Dee is back in New York with her husband and two children. SHe has made a pilot for a talk show of her own. And I'm sure she will be singing again, working as an actor, and I'm sure you'll all see her again.

Linda replied: That's probably one of the nicest things anyone ever said to me. What do you think... should we have our faces done? I haven't done it yet, how about you? Fifty's not so bad, is it?

Linda replied: No, she doesn't die. You know that she has left the show, and I guess you also must know how sad I am about that. But always, the character could return.

Linda replied: Thank you for the lovely compliment. I've completed 14 years, and I'm in my 15th season. My favorite storyline? There are two: One was all the capers and fun and friendship with Wally, Cass and Felicia. And two: the alcohol story line, after Lucas died.

Linda replied: I don't really have any interest in directing. I'd love to produce, but not direct. I did co-produce a pilot with RIcky Paul Goldin (ex-Dean), called "The Dano Files," and I loved that. So one of these days, hopefully, I will produce something that gets on the air... and it doesn't have to be something I'm in.

Linda replied: Daytime television is in a world by itself. The characters and stories allow the viewing public to really feel they're a part of the television family.

Linda replied: We, too, are very anxious about being cancelled, and are very frustrated every time our numbers don't go up, especially when we've done a good job or had a particularly strong story. I don't really know why the show isn't getting the recognition it deserves. NBC has now put an emphasis on daytime... maybe that will make a difference. Writing is everything, and telling stories that keep you watching is the most important thing. It's always hard to get great writers.

Linda replied: I'm very touched that you would ask the question the way you did. Inspiration comes, I believe, from many places. I admire my mother... my husband.. friends who always let me know they're right with me, no matter what... great performances... great writing.. great acts of courage and kindness. I think if we look around us, we can find inspiration in the smallest of things.

Linda replied: The input is sometimes very difficult. If something is already written that takes a character in a different direction, it's hard to stop it if the story has already been laid out. I really disliked the Felicia/Sharlene story, where I became her therapist of sorts. And I couldn't stop it. I thought it was absolutely out of character for Felicia. I still believe that. And it's now been dropped, but I still had to play it.

I have been asked through the years, when a story is being considered, if I wanted to play it... such as the alcohol story line. So in that sense, yes, I have had input

Linda replied: Another World has always been filmed in Brooklyn, New York, in an old, old studio, where in fact, a lot of the Hallmark Hall of Fame shows were filmed. And rumor would have it that Esther Williams' swimming pool is in the basement.

Linda replied: I assume if you're talking about the aired show today, as opposed to the one that I taped. Lorna is all right, out of danger, and will now be hidden from Cindy. But if you're asking me about Gabe, I've been taping his death scenes the last few days. Crystal Lake was last seen by all of us when Walter kidnapped Felicia and put her in the attic. I would love to see her again... and so would Stephen. So I'll pass that along.

Linda replied: I've never been blessed with my own children, but I have two wonderfu stepchildren--David and Elisa--and they now have husbands and wives. And the great joy for me now is three granddaughters: Jenna, Hannah, and Abigail. My hat goes off to you for being able to juggle motherhood, career, husband, dogs, cooking, cleaning.. all of it. Bravo!

I do contribute time and energy to my favorite charity, HeartShare. My focus has always been the children.

Linda replied: I do have a positive attitude, and I'm lucky because I've never stopped being grateful. I think when you look around you, and see all the sadness in the world, you realize how much all of us really do have.

Linda replied: It was the best... the absolute best. I still chuckle when I think about that. I'm still seeing Brent right now, wherever he is, smiling.

Linda replied: HeartShare is a New York-based charity, serving the developmentally disabled. They were founded in 1914, and now addist over 1,000 children, families, and adults in programs ranging from foster care and adoption to community-based family service centers, youth centers, a school-based beacon program, and families and children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Their Spring Gala is on March 19th at the New York Marriot Marquis. For information, call (718) 330-0600.

Linda replied: Keep it simple.

Linda replied: Wow... there are so many great restaurants, and I don't go out very much. I have been to and really liked the Grammercy Tavern... I spent New Year's Eve at The Rainbow Room and had a great time... Frank and I go to a little place on the East side called Lumi's, on 70th and Lex. And another favorite is Fresco's on 52nd between Madison and Park, owned by Rosanna Scotto's [Channel 5 (FOX) News Anchor] family.

Linda replied: I don't know if it's secret... I care more about what I want in the scene than what I'm saying. So I'm not afraid of the words, and thus they're easy to memorize.

Linda replied: I absolutely knew she would catch on, the moment she was on camera. The reason is that the audience feels her heart, her honesty, her friendship... she's funny, but what they love most is her spirit, and they believe her. She had to be only a hit, and she is. And you're absolutely right. It's such a great statement that we've made her a hit, because it means we want better, more quality, more uplifting, more entertaining television... not tabloid.

Linda replied: Yes. I have a very strong belief in God, and a hereafter. I believe in the goodness of others. I believe in people's spirits living on around us, helping us, taking care of us. I was raised Catholic. Don't go as often as I should, but do attend services. I like having God in my life. It gives me someone that I can count on.