Talli Roland's Blog, page 3
April 3, 2014
What I Did on Holiday
Hello! I'm back! I'm forty!
I have to say that so far, the forties have been strikingly similar to the thirties. Which can only be a good thing, since I loved my thirties.
We had a great time in the Cotswolds. Although the weather could have been a tad more spring-like, we were fairly fortunate in our outings, managing to dodge hail and rain and wind. Our cottage was cosy with plenty of doors for Baby TR to bang (don't tell the owner, but he banged one so much, he broke the ancient latch - oops!). Broadway, the small village where we stayed, was chock full of character and lovely little cafes and shops. By the end of the week, we were on a first-name basis with our regular breakfast spot and pub. All in all, it was a lovely holiday and a great way to ring in the new decade.
Back in the smoggy city -- seriously, who knew dust from the Sahara could make its way to London? -- I've been busy tearing into my manuscript and starting on the second draft, which is already requiring a lot of rewriting . . . but I think I'm on the right track. I'm working hard to get as much done as I can, because next week is the London Book Fair! I'll be meeting Jessica Bell and others on Sunday, dining with my lovely author-friend Mel Sherratt on Monday, attending an Amazon Publishing cocktail party of Tuesday . . . and I think I'm leaving out something, too! It's going to be crazy but fun.
I'll be back next Thursday with a full report, but until then, I leave you with some photos from our vacation.
A bridge over the River Windrush in Bournton-on-Water.
Lord of the Manor (aka Baby TR) in Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe.
The back garden of our cottage.
Looking out onto the Cotswolds hills from Hidcote Garden.
The best name for butter ever!
Baby TR's new friends.
Sudeley Castle.
Broadway Tower,
Bendy baby!
See you next week!
I have to say that so far, the forties have been strikingly similar to the thirties. Which can only be a good thing, since I loved my thirties.
We had a great time in the Cotswolds. Although the weather could have been a tad more spring-like, we were fairly fortunate in our outings, managing to dodge hail and rain and wind. Our cottage was cosy with plenty of doors for Baby TR to bang (don't tell the owner, but he banged one so much, he broke the ancient latch - oops!). Broadway, the small village where we stayed, was chock full of character and lovely little cafes and shops. By the end of the week, we were on a first-name basis with our regular breakfast spot and pub. All in all, it was a lovely holiday and a great way to ring in the new decade.
Back in the smoggy city -- seriously, who knew dust from the Sahara could make its way to London? -- I've been busy tearing into my manuscript and starting on the second draft, which is already requiring a lot of rewriting . . . but I think I'm on the right track. I'm working hard to get as much done as I can, because next week is the London Book Fair! I'll be meeting Jessica Bell and others on Sunday, dining with my lovely author-friend Mel Sherratt on Monday, attending an Amazon Publishing cocktail party of Tuesday . . . and I think I'm leaving out something, too! It's going to be crazy but fun.
I'll be back next Thursday with a full report, but until then, I leave you with some photos from our vacation.
A bridge over the River Windrush in Bournton-on-Water.
Lord of the Manor (aka Baby TR) in Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe.
The back garden of our cottage.
Looking out onto the Cotswolds hills from Hidcote Garden.
The best name for butter ever!
Baby TR's new friends.
Sudeley Castle.
Broadway Tower,
Bendy baby!See you next week!
March 20, 2014
Country Escape
Happy Thursday, all!
Huge thanks to everyone who wished me well on the re-launch of The Pollyanna Plan. I'm thrilled to report it's been in the top 100 on Amazon UK Kindle for almost ten days now. It's great to see it back there.
And next week, I'm celebrating something of a different sort: my fortieth birthday. Forty! Argh, I can barely believe it. But I'm a firm believer that age is in the mind, and Baby TR is certainly keeping me young. We have booked a cottage in the Cotswolds for a week, and I can't wait.
The Cotswolds are such a beautiful part of England, filled with thatched cottages, green countryside, romantic idylls. I'm not sure how much romance will be on the card with a toddler, but hey! One can dream.
I won't be posting next week, but I shall have plenty of photos upon my return. Until then, enjoy the rest of March!
Huge thanks to everyone who wished me well on the re-launch of The Pollyanna Plan. I'm thrilled to report it's been in the top 100 on Amazon UK Kindle for almost ten days now. It's great to see it back there.
And next week, I'm celebrating something of a different sort: my fortieth birthday. Forty! Argh, I can barely believe it. But I'm a firm believer that age is in the mind, and Baby TR is certainly keeping me young. We have booked a cottage in the Cotswolds for a week, and I can't wait.
The Cotswolds are such a beautiful part of England, filled with thatched cottages, green countryside, romantic idylls. I'm not sure how much romance will be on the card with a toddler, but hey! One can dream.
I won't be posting next week, but I shall have plenty of photos upon my return. Until then, enjoy the rest of March!
March 11, 2014
Born Again, Book-Style
I'm always a little confused about what day it is, but today I'm pretty clear: it's re-release day for The Pollyanna Plan! The inside is the same, but it has a lovely new cover -- and it's also available in print and audio, as well as an ebook (Amazon.com; Amazon UK).
It was fantastic to wake up this morning and see an advert for my little book at the very top of the UK Kindle Bookstore! Of course, I had to get a screen shot for posterity.
Heartfelt! Funny! They're talking about my book! Eek!
Exciting times.
And in more exciting news, I am over on Jera's Jamboree pontificating on the best and worst things about writing, and on the wonderful Chick Lit Love discussing the power of positive thinking.
It's all systems go, I tell you, and I've quite possibly consumed way too much caffeine.
I hope you're having as wonderful a Tuesday as I am (awkwardly worded sentence but I've had too much coffee to care!). Thank you all for your support over the past few years. It's been wonderful to have my blogging friends along for the ride.
It was fantastic to wake up this morning and see an advert for my little book at the very top of the UK Kindle Bookstore! Of course, I had to get a screen shot for posterity.
Heartfelt! Funny! They're talking about my book! Eek!
Exciting times.
And in more exciting news, I am over on Jera's Jamboree pontificating on the best and worst things about writing, and on the wonderful Chick Lit Love discussing the power of positive thinking.
It's all systems go, I tell you, and I've quite possibly consumed way too much caffeine.
I hope you're having as wonderful a Tuesday as I am (awkwardly worded sentence but I've had too much coffee to care!). Thank you all for your support over the past few years. It's been wonderful to have my blogging friends along for the ride.
March 6, 2014
New Beginnings . . . and Endings
Happy Thursday! Another week . . . and I'm happy to report that spring may have finally sprung in Britain. I have to say, after the rainy past few months, we definitely deserve it. Plus, I've crossed 68,000 words on my new novel and I'm closing in on the end. My first drafts are usually quite sparse, and this one will probably end up somewhere around 73,000. In the second, I'll flesh out characters and add in new scenes . . . it's where the real hard work begins.
Baby TR started nursery this weekend amidst the usual tears and angst (on both our parts!), and I managed to get an amazing amount of work done. I'd forgotten how productive it can be to have a chunk of time to actually write.And I've actually made it around to visit a few blogs, too. I'm really looking forward to making use of my new time when I start the editing phase, either next week or the week after. While I can pound out first drafts no problem, I really need some good headspace to dive in and edit.
I've also redesigned my website! My old one was a bit of a mish-mash, with lots of information everywhere. I wanted something clean and easy to navigate, so I've created a simple, scaled-down version which covers all the bases. It's now HTML instead of flash, which means it should work on all devices, too.
And next Tuesday, The Pollyanna Plan re-launches! It's so fantastic to give the novel a new lease of life. Fingers crossed it goes well. I received the audio book this week and it was beyond exciting (and strange!) to hear my characters' voices.
So, basically, it's been a wonderful week - apart from the cocktail-induced hangover yesterday, but I won't mention that.
What's new in your neck of the woods?
Baby TR started nursery this weekend amidst the usual tears and angst (on both our parts!), and I managed to get an amazing amount of work done. I'd forgotten how productive it can be to have a chunk of time to actually write.And I've actually made it around to visit a few blogs, too. I'm really looking forward to making use of my new time when I start the editing phase, either next week or the week after. While I can pound out first drafts no problem, I really need some good headspace to dive in and edit.
I've also redesigned my website! My old one was a bit of a mish-mash, with lots of information everywhere. I wanted something clean and easy to navigate, so I've created a simple, scaled-down version which covers all the bases. It's now HTML instead of flash, which means it should work on all devices, too.
And next Tuesday, The Pollyanna Plan re-launches! It's so fantastic to give the novel a new lease of life. Fingers crossed it goes well. I received the audio book this week and it was beyond exciting (and strange!) to hear my characters' voices.
So, basically, it's been a wonderful week - apart from the cocktail-induced hangover yesterday, but I won't mention that.
What's new in your neck of the woods?
February 27, 2014
The Daily Slog
Hello!
Well, you may (or may not) have noticed I neglected to post last week. The truth is, I had nothing to say. I've been busy writing writing writing, and when you're banging out the first draft, things aren't really that exciting. You put the words down, you move forward inch by inch, and eventually you make it to the end. Not exactly the stuff of a riveting post.
But apart from the daily slog, exciting things are in the works. I had a great conversation with Amazon marketing for the upcoming release of The Pollyanna Plan, and squeeee! It looks like my book will appear as the wake screen on UK Kindle Fires on launch day, apart from lots of other cool stuff. Imagine, I'll be turning on my Kindle Fire to see the cover of my very own book. Less than two weeks to go!
Away from the book world, my tiny little baby (okay, my strapping big toddler) will be starting nursery for a few mornings a week come Monday. While I'm anxious about letting go, I'm also excited at having time to: a. shower; b. eat using two hands; and c. WRITE! Maybe even start making blog rounds again!
And really, that's all the news in my world. Hope everything is well in your neck of the woods.
See you next week!
Well, you may (or may not) have noticed I neglected to post last week. The truth is, I had nothing to say. I've been busy writing writing writing, and when you're banging out the first draft, things aren't really that exciting. You put the words down, you move forward inch by inch, and eventually you make it to the end. Not exactly the stuff of a riveting post.
But apart from the daily slog, exciting things are in the works. I had a great conversation with Amazon marketing for the upcoming release of The Pollyanna Plan, and squeeee! It looks like my book will appear as the wake screen on UK Kindle Fires on launch day, apart from lots of other cool stuff. Imagine, I'll be turning on my Kindle Fire to see the cover of my very own book. Less than two weeks to go!
Away from the book world, my tiny little baby (okay, my strapping big toddler) will be starting nursery for a few mornings a week come Monday. While I'm anxious about letting go, I'm also excited at having time to: a. shower; b. eat using two hands; and c. WRITE! Maybe even start making blog rounds again!
And really, that's all the news in my world. Hope everything is well in your neck of the woods.
See you next week!
February 13, 2014
The Voices in My Head
Hello from a very soggy Britain! Although today was a brief respite from the lovely (read: not lovely) weather we've been having, apparently we are back to rain and gales tomorrow. Sigh. Well, I didn't come for the weather, that's for sure.
This has been a very busy week! I reviewed the proofs for The No-Kids Club (coming out in June), worked with match.com UK on creating some Valentine's stories for their Twitter followers, started writing my short story for Belinda Jones's Sunlounger edition, and made it to 35,000 words on the first draft of my new novel. Phew.
As always when I'm writing a first draft, those sneaky little voices pop into my head. Who's going to read this drivel? This is rubbish! So boring! So dull! People will hate it! They are quite insidious little devils, and they hang around pretty much every paragraph until the end. Diving onto Twitter and expressing my frustration at their whispering, I was relieved to see I'm not alone: many other writers suffer from them, too.
After six published novels (and four not!), I think I've learned to push them aside and soldier on. I don't ignore them, because I've learned to allow myself the freedom to write crap and boring twaddle on a first draft. Yes, it just may suck -- and yes, people may put it down after the first chapter. But that doesn't matter, because the first draft is just that: a first draft. There are at least four others waiting in the wings, and with every pass I'll re-structure, re-write, tidy, and edit to my heart's content (and often past my heart's content) until I'm finally happy.
And when this comes in the post . . .
It's all worth it!
Have a great day, everyone, and congrats to Vicky Lesage, who has won a copy of My Mini Midwife from last week's post!
This has been a very busy week! I reviewed the proofs for The No-Kids Club (coming out in June), worked with match.com UK on creating some Valentine's stories for their Twitter followers, started writing my short story for Belinda Jones's Sunlounger edition, and made it to 35,000 words on the first draft of my new novel. Phew.
As always when I'm writing a first draft, those sneaky little voices pop into my head. Who's going to read this drivel? This is rubbish! So boring! So dull! People will hate it! They are quite insidious little devils, and they hang around pretty much every paragraph until the end. Diving onto Twitter and expressing my frustration at their whispering, I was relieved to see I'm not alone: many other writers suffer from them, too.
After six published novels (and four not!), I think I've learned to push them aside and soldier on. I don't ignore them, because I've learned to allow myself the freedom to write crap and boring twaddle on a first draft. Yes, it just may suck -- and yes, people may put it down after the first chapter. But that doesn't matter, because the first draft is just that: a first draft. There are at least four others waiting in the wings, and with every pass I'll re-structure, re-write, tidy, and edit to my heart's content (and often past my heart's content) until I'm finally happy.
And when this comes in the post . . .
It's all worth it!
Have a great day, everyone, and congrats to Vicky Lesage, who has won a copy of My Mini Midwife from last week's post!
February 6, 2014
Mini Me
You'd be forgiven for thinking that this post is about Baby TR, since practically every post since his birth has included a photo or five. But you'd be wrong! It is still baby-related, because today, I'm turning the blog over to Denyse Kirkby, dear friend and author of My Mini Midwife.
I realised I wanted to become a midwife when I was very young and watched my mother help our goat give birth to twins. I was overwhelmed by what a tremendous privilege it was to be a part of welcoming those new-bornsI am very fortunate to be able to say that I have enjoyed every aspect of my career – from working in hospital on the antenatal, postnatal and labour wards, my time as an antenatal and newborn screening specialist midwife and working in community with a caseload of clients that ranged from 60 -100 women. Community midwifery allows you to get to know the people you are caring for to a deeper level than those you meet when you are hospital based.
Over time I began to develop a standard set of answers to questions expectant parents, and their families, asked of me about early pregnancy, what kind of care they will be given, what labour is like and so on. Then one couple said they wished they could carry me around in their handbag so they could ask me questions whenever they needed to, and that was when I had a My Mini Midwife light bulb moment. I’m really pleased with the result and I hope my readers are too.
There is a video with my top ten tips here: http://youtu.be/pvSjI7Hj6Ys and there will be a forum on my website from mid March which will have a peer led postnatal support group and more so please stop by and join in the conversations.
When not otherwise occupied, Dee can be found chatting to people on: Amazon author page: http://author.to/DJKirkby; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeeJKirkby; Twitter: https://twitter.com/djkirkby. Thank you Denyse!
For a chance to win a copy of Denyse's wonderful book (which I have read and found extremely informative while not overwhelming), leave a comment below saying how cute Baby TR is (ha!) or anything baby-related.
See you next week!
I realised I wanted to become a midwife when I was very young and watched my mother help our goat give birth to twins. I was overwhelmed by what a tremendous privilege it was to be a part of welcoming those new-bornsI am very fortunate to be able to say that I have enjoyed every aspect of my career – from working in hospital on the antenatal, postnatal and labour wards, my time as an antenatal and newborn screening specialist midwife and working in community with a caseload of clients that ranged from 60 -100 women. Community midwifery allows you to get to know the people you are caring for to a deeper level than those you meet when you are hospital based. Over time I began to develop a standard set of answers to questions expectant parents, and their families, asked of me about early pregnancy, what kind of care they will be given, what labour is like and so on. Then one couple said they wished they could carry me around in their handbag so they could ask me questions whenever they needed to, and that was when I had a My Mini Midwife light bulb moment. I’m really pleased with the result and I hope my readers are too.
There is a video with my top ten tips here: http://youtu.be/pvSjI7Hj6Ys and there will be a forum on my website from mid March which will have a peer led postnatal support group and more so please stop by and join in the conversations.
When not otherwise occupied, Dee can be found chatting to people on: Amazon author page: http://author.to/DJKirkby; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeeJKirkby; Twitter: https://twitter.com/djkirkby. Thank you Denyse!
For a chance to win a copy of Denyse's wonderful book (which I have read and found extremely informative while not overwhelming), leave a comment below saying how cute Baby TR is (ha!) or anything baby-related.
See you next week!
January 30, 2014
Non-Exciting News
Hello! It's Thursday! I remembered to post!
I wish I could say I had loads of exciting things to update you on. I'm drinking wine... that's exciting, isn't it? Maybe that will help jog my memory of excitement. *takes big sip* Um, nope.
Well, I'm 10,000 words into my new novel. To be honest, I reckon I've written the world's most boring opening to any novel, but I'm of the opinion that the most important thing is sitting your arse in the chair and just writing. I am all for crappy first drafts, which is probably why I loathe the second draft so much... because I have to whip my rubbish into shape.
In other non-exciting news, we got Baby TR's photos back from his first birthday photo shoot. Luckily, despite him not being able to sit still for longer than a nano-second, we managed to get some good ones.
About to hop off the chair at ANY second...
And, er, well, that's all my wine-addled brain can dredge up for now! The life of a writer -- so glamorous, I know. Tune in next week when I'll be able to update you on the status of the mould growing on the kitchen sponge.
That's it from TR Towers. Have a great weekend, everyone!
I wish I could say I had loads of exciting things to update you on. I'm drinking wine... that's exciting, isn't it? Maybe that will help jog my memory of excitement. *takes big sip* Um, nope.
Well, I'm 10,000 words into my new novel. To be honest, I reckon I've written the world's most boring opening to any novel, but I'm of the opinion that the most important thing is sitting your arse in the chair and just writing. I am all for crappy first drafts, which is probably why I loathe the second draft so much... because I have to whip my rubbish into shape.
In other non-exciting news, we got Baby TR's photos back from his first birthday photo shoot. Luckily, despite him not being able to sit still for longer than a nano-second, we managed to get some good ones.
About to hop off the chair at ANY second...And, er, well, that's all my wine-addled brain can dredge up for now! The life of a writer -- so glamorous, I know. Tune in next week when I'll be able to update you on the status of the mould growing on the kitchen sponge.
That's it from TR Towers. Have a great weekend, everyone!
January 23, 2014
Pan the Plan
You know, I'm just going to go with Thursday as my new posting day. Yeah, 'coz I don't seem able to remember I should be posting on Tuesday. So... happy Thursday!
The week has flown by in a blur of novel-planning. I use a handy-dandy software called Writers Cafe, which is the software-equivalent of PostIt notes. It lets you use run story-lines in parallel, and you can shift the virtual PostIts notes if need be. I've used it to plan the last three or four of my novels (I'm losing track!), and I've found it a great starting point.
Increasingly, though, I'm wondering why I bother to plan. Once I start writing, I usually take a look at the note in front of me and think: nah. Still, you have to begin somewhere! I'm not a pantser and I don't feel comfortable not writing towards something, so even if I'm not going to use what I originally set out, I like the security of it. I know ideas morph and change as writing happens, and I guess I've grown comfortable with that.
I'm hoping to finish my outline this week and get writing next Monday! Oh, I can't wait, I can't wait.
What are you working on these days?
The week has flown by in a blur of novel-planning. I use a handy-dandy software called Writers Cafe, which is the software-equivalent of PostIt notes. It lets you use run story-lines in parallel, and you can shift the virtual PostIts notes if need be. I've used it to plan the last three or four of my novels (I'm losing track!), and I've found it a great starting point.
Increasingly, though, I'm wondering why I bother to plan. Once I start writing, I usually take a look at the note in front of me and think: nah. Still, you have to begin somewhere! I'm not a pantser and I don't feel comfortable not writing towards something, so even if I'm not going to use what I originally set out, I like the security of it. I know ideas morph and change as writing happens, and I guess I've grown comfortable with that.
I'm hoping to finish my outline this week and get writing next Monday! Oh, I can't wait, I can't wait.
What are you working on these days?
January 16, 2014
Diving Into January
Eek! Somehow, even after missing last week, I had it in my head that Thursday, not Tuesday, is my posting day. I'll blame it on the jetlag... or the full moon... or the wine...
Anyway, we made it back to London! The overnight flight was as exhausting as usual, and settling in a jetlagged baby really is no fun. However, it's good to be home.
And since returning, it's been all systems go. I've started planning my new novel, and I'm so enjoying getting back into a fresh project. All the potential, excitement, and fun -- until I hit 20,000 words and it seems to come crashing down in a pile of poo around me. Copy edits for The Pollyanna Plan are finished, and the book has a lovely new cover for its release on March 11.
Don't you just love that blue?
Earlier this week, I headed off to King's Cross for the book launch of my wonderful friend and Amazon Publishing pal, Mel Sherratt. I tell you, if you like crime and psychological suspense, you have to read her books! I was lucky enough to read Watching Over You at an early stage, and it made me super scared.
Me with our Amazon editor.This weekend, we have a joint first birthday party with ten other babies for Baby TR and his pals. Heaven help me, is all I can say! I just may have to bring a bottle of wine.
Hope everyone is having a great January so far. Stay warm!
Anyway, we made it back to London! The overnight flight was as exhausting as usual, and settling in a jetlagged baby really is no fun. However, it's good to be home.
And since returning, it's been all systems go. I've started planning my new novel, and I'm so enjoying getting back into a fresh project. All the potential, excitement, and fun -- until I hit 20,000 words and it seems to come crashing down in a pile of poo around me. Copy edits for The Pollyanna Plan are finished, and the book has a lovely new cover for its release on March 11.
Don't you just love that blue?
Earlier this week, I headed off to King's Cross for the book launch of my wonderful friend and Amazon Publishing pal, Mel Sherratt. I tell you, if you like crime and psychological suspense, you have to read her books! I was lucky enough to read Watching Over You at an early stage, and it made me super scared.
Me with our Amazon editor.This weekend, we have a joint first birthday party with ten other babies for Baby TR and his pals. Heaven help me, is all I can say! I just may have to bring a bottle of wine.Hope everyone is having a great January so far. Stay warm!
