Talli Roland's Blog, page 32

YAY! I'm Back, Baby!

OMG!
OMMMGGGG! Yay!
My blog is back. Phew.
I want to say a big thanks to Rosalind Adam (also a fellow A to Z'er) for campaigning on Twitter -- and getting others involved -- and getting Blogger's attention! I'm still not quite sure what happened other than an 'underlying bug', but wow, that was scary. When I woke up yesterday morning, my blog was just gone, with no explanation or notification.
Needless to say, I'm considering a switch to a self-hosted platform where the carpet cannot be pulled out from under me again! I'll blog about my experience in further detail in the future, but for now... back up your blog, because you just never know!
Anyway, today's Y post (along with a giveaway for a right royal book!) and yesterday's X post are over here. I'm determined to get through this A-Z Challenge! Comment here or there to be entered in the draw.
And now I'm going to go collapse in the corner with some wine. What a stressful few days; I felt like my favourite pet had died!

Watching Willow Watts

How's that for Ws, huh? It's the name of my next novel, so I thought I'd use the occasion to show off the PINK cover!

And the blurb!

For twenty-five-year-old Willow Watts, life has settled into a predictably dull routine: days behind the counter at her father's antique shop; nights watching fuzzy telly whilst the elderly residents of Britain's Ugliest Village bed down for yet another early night. But everything changes when Willow's epically embarrassing Marilyn Monroe impersonation is uploaded to YouTube. A canny viewer spots Marilyn's ghostly image hidden in the film and Willow becomes an international sensation.

Her dire little town is suddenly overrun with fans proclaiming her to be the 'new Marilyn'. Egged on by the villagers - whose shops and businesses are cashing in - Willow eagerly embraces her new identity, dying her hair platinum and scoffing cakes to achieve Marilyn's legendary curves.

But when the only man she has ever truly loved returns, seeking the old Willow, it's decision time. Should she risk stardom and the village's new-found fortune on love? Or is being Marilyn Willow's real ticket to happiness?

Yeah, baby! :)
It was a load of fun to write! It's due out in paperback in November, but like The Hating Game, it will available a few months before hand on Kindle. You can add it to Goodreads here, if you so desire.
And a final note before I go! The wonderful Laura over at Chick Lit Love is featuring my Top Tips to write chick lit each day until Saturday. Have a gander, if you like.

Vain Writer

Are you a vain writer?
I could try to be all clever about this and link it up to preciousness of words etcetera, but instead I'm going to be shallow and link it to appearance. Do you comb your hair and paint your nails (regardless of gender; who wouldn't like a little nail varnish on their bits?) before sitting down at the keyboard?
If you're anything like me, your hair will be barely brushed; your clothes will be covered with yesterday's dinner; and your face will remain unwashed until noon. Gosh, I've painted a very attractive picture of myself, haven't I? It seems the more primitive I feel, the better I can connect with my characters. When I'm all scrubbed up and dressed for the outside world, I just can't concentrate as well.
So tell me: vanity or grunge?

Under the Sun

It's not often London gets a string of sunny days in a row, let alone a over four-day weekend! And when that rare event happens, the streets are awash with people soaking it in. Today is the final Bank Holiday of Easter weekend, and low and behold, that golden orb is still shining.
So, while I'm well aware my posts recently have been a bit lacking in depth... well, one must sun oneself while one can!

We've a three-day work-week coming up this week, the Royal Wedding on Friday (another holiday) and then another holiday on Monday for the Bank Holiday. Have I made you jealous yet?

How was your weekend?

Turnip for the Books

Hehe! Get it? It's a turnip for the books!
Yeah, I know... and I'm sorry, but it's a four-day weekend here; the sun is out; it's HOT and my brain has turned to mushified mush.
So, I'll just direct you over here where there's a review of my novel (also beginning with T!).
And remember, there's a chance to win a copy of The Hating Game here.

And with that, me and my liquid brain are off to enjoy yet another fabulous day. Ta ta!

Sssssh! Gossip!

Happy Friday! I'm thrilled to have Rose Cooper, author and illustrator of Gossip from the Girls' Room, here today! Take it away, Rose.

As the author and illustrator of GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS' ROOM, A Blogtastic! Novel, I feel so very lucky that I get to combine the two things I love the most: writing and drawing.

The most embarrassing question I get asked (and try to dodge) is, "How long have you been drawing/doing art?" Especially when I'm surrounded by experienced artists at galleries or events. Sometimes I'll say "oh, since I was a kid," since really, I did draw as a kid. Or during moments where I feel like being completely honest, I'll quickly say, "beendoingthisfortwoyears." and then change the subject.

So yes, two years ago when I received my first book deal (and told they were keeping my illustrations) I started drawing again just for fun. Things quickly took a turn when I entered a gallery event on a dare, and actually made it in. I've been invited to many art shows and events, sold my art in boutiques, and now it's something I do all the time.

As a kid, I drew a little and wrote a lot. I proclaimed my career as a future author in 6th grade, but never in a gazillion years guessed that I would be an author AND illustrator of my own books. My mom kept all my drawings from when I was very young, so I dug out the box and got a good laugh!

I now sell my art (I like to think I've progressed some since those pictures!) and Blogtastic! book inspired items in my Etsy shop (www.HappilyEtsyAfter.etsy.com) .

Wow, talk about talent! I can't even draw a stick figure; everything I sketch looks like a malnourished worm. Rose's wonderful blog is here, her website is here, and you can buy her fantastic novel is here! Thank you, Rose.

Romantic Novelists' Association

Yay for the RNA!
If you live in the UK or Ireland and you write novels with a romantic element, I strongly suggest joining the RNA. They have a wonderful New Writers' Scheme, where unpublished writers can attend all RNA events and get their MS appraised. I took advantage of the scheme a few years ago, and I received wonderfully detailed, helpful feedback that definitely took my writing to the next level.
I'm now a full member, and I've been lucky enough to attend last year's conference, several parties and London chapter meetings. I have to say that I've never met such a supportive, friendly group of people. Interacting with other members -- both in person and online -- has been a great learning experience, and I'm always stunned at the collective level of expertise within the group.
A big thank you to everyone in the RNA who has made me feel so welcome.
Tomorrow kicks off the four-day weekend here in the UK, and while I'll be posting for the A to Z Challenge (Rose Cooper's here tomorrow!), I may not be commenting with my usual fervour. So... happy holidays to all, and have a fantastic long weekend!

Queasy Peasy

I love the word 'queasy' -- so expressive! So, as a tribute to such a fab word, here are a few things that make me queasy.
Squishing bugs. I just can't do it. I'd rather ignore ants and spiders, etc., than contemplate squashing them.
The smell of roast duck. I really can't stomach it. It's a curse, because Egyptians (one to whom I'm married) seem to think 'God got it right with ducks' (a direct quote). Somehow, I can't imagine God meant to create an animal that smells like dirty socks when it's cooking...
Gin. There's a story behind that one, but I don't think I'll share it right now!
Bad reviews. Enough said.
Leftovers. Bllleeerrrrgggh. Cold, minging bits of cooked food turn my tummy.
Actually, that was surprisingly hard. Maybe I'm less squeamish than I thought!
What makes you queasy?

Pimms O'Clock!

In the summer, a good substitute for wine o'clock is Pimm's o'clock! If you've ever wondered what cucumber tastes like in a cocktail, then Pimms is for you. (Note: you don't really taste it, and if you do eat the cucumber at the end, it's surprisingly refreshing.)
It took me awhile to come around to Pimms. Why would I want to battle my way through fruit to drink a strange brown mixture? But once you start, you really can't stop -- it slides down all too easily. For anyone who hasn't had it, I'd say it's like a cross between Long Island Iced Tea and California Root Beer (I'm aware that sound foul, but that's the closest I can come to explaining it).
A big thanks to everyone who commented on the video yesterday; you're all too kind! I know watching videos takes extra time and we're all trying to get to as many blogs as we can, so I really appreciate it. I'm aware you may be videoed out, but if not, lovely Laura has posted another short one on my writing process over on Chick Lit Love. Even if you don't have time to watch the video but you're into chick lit, you might want to pop over and say hi!
Thanks again for all the wonderful support. I HEART you all!

Vid-e-O!

Do you like how I've managed to work 'O' into my title? (Yes, I'm well aware it's a rather lame effort.) BUT! Exciting stuff for me today, because I'm on VIDEO! And no, video hasn't killed the novelist, because the lovely Laura of the Daily Dodo and the wonderful Julian Preston have made me look rather normal!
Pop over to watch the short interview if you have a second. And congratulate Laura on her followers -- she's only been blogging for a month and she already has over 100!
And that's not all, because she's also launched a great new site called Chick Lit Love, where you can win a signed copy of The Hating Game (open worldwide!). She's a busy gal, and so SO nice.
Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you like the video...eeeeep...!