Talli Roland's Blog, page 48

My Rejection Love Affair

Ah, rejection. You gotta love it -- if only because it gives you a valid reason to mope about and bemoan your life, then have yet another glass of wine. No matter what stage you're at as a writer, rejection is a part of life.

My first rejection came in 1989. Sadly I was too young to drown my sorrows but I'm sure that didn't stop my adolescent snark when publishers turned down my masterpiece. Inspired by Gordon Korman, a Canadian teen who published best-sellers, when I was eleven I started my n...

Ten for Tuesday: Bring Back the Eighties!

I'm a child of the Eighties and man oh man, did that decade rock the fashion world! Talking to my step-daughter yesterday about the fashions of yesteryear stirred up some long-lost memories of that golden time --- perfect for today's post!

1. Jelly shoes . I loved my baby-blue jelly shoes! The only problem was that the heel wasn't closed off so if you walked on gravel you'd get loads of little pebbles stuck inside. If you've ever worn a pair, you'll know what I mean.

2. Florescent socks...

DJ Kirkby: 'Without Alice'

I'm excited to have author DJ Kirkby here as part of her blog tour for her debut novel, Without Alice. It says a lot about this book that despite it being over 30 degrees on the Central Line, I couldn't stop turning the pages even as sweat dripped from my brow. The narrative sweeps you along through the lives of the characters, keeping you guessing and wondering how it all will resolve -- or indeed if it will -- in the end. With realistic, complex characters and an intriguing storyline, it's...

Lucky 13

Happy Friday the Thirteenth!

Things are a bit topsy-turvy here at the moment with house-guests encamped in my office and a fresh batch arriving next week, so I'll keep this short and sweet! Just a heads-up on some happenings here and elsewhere:

On Monday, I'll be hosting author DJ Kirkby who's currently making the rounds on her Without Alice blog tour. We'll have wine and cake (of course) and talk about her debut novel!

Jen Daiker's Guess that Character blogfest is next Thursday and Friday. If ...

Everything I Learned about Writing, I Learned from 'Friends'

Okay, obviously not everything. But my incessant watching of Friends (I don't care how many times I've seen each episode, it's still funny) has actually taught me a lot about characterisation, pace and plot.

Every character in Friends is different and distinct with their own foibles and quirks. Monica likes to clean; Chandler fears he's gay; Ross gets divorced; Rachel into fashion and shopping; and Phoebe's kinda ditsy. And poor Joey's not the brightest bulb. Everything they say and do suppor...

My Fairweather Ways

[image error] I've lived in four countries (Canada, US, Poland, UK) but when it comes to weather-obsession, the UK beats them all hands-down. The weather is constant topic of conversation, with one day as humid as the Gulf of Mexico and then next freakin' frigid. Over here, there's no such thing as a 'summer wardrobe' -- you need to keep your wool jumpers on hand all year round.
Over the past few years, I've noticed the weather has a direct impact on my writing patterns.
Sun. I wake up early (like, 5:30 a...

Ten for Tuesday: How to Tell When It's Time to Get Out More

I think that title is pretty self-explanatory, so here we go:

1. It's 3 p.m. and you still haven't brushed your hair -- and doing so seems like a big effort.

2. The highlight of the day is a five-minute walk to Tesco's and you need to take a nap when you get home again.

3. You've lost the ability to interact and scuttle around the street with your head down, unable to make eye-contact.

4. When you do engage in conversation you can't shut yourself up again and babble on for minutes at a time until...

Facing Fear

Thanks to everyone for the lovely anniversary wishes! We had great weekend -- in part because of the wonderful new bike scheme around London.
Before hopping on the bikes I repeated my firm pledge: no way would I cycle on the roads. We live next to a series of parks and there was no need to hit the streets. Plus, I'd seen cyclists sandwiched between buses and taxis and the very thought terrified me!
However, when we sat down outside City Hall, my husband pointed to the most easterly bike...

Loved Up

This Sunday is my first wedding anniversary! Yes, we've lasted a year -- (actually, six) living together. Two creative people from completely different cultures (Egyptian vs Canadian) in one small flat could be a recipe for disaster, but it works for us. And so, like the sap that I am, and because secretly I love stalking other people's wedding photos, I'm going to torment you with a few of mine!

With my maid of honour and best friend from high school and my wonderful parents, right outside...

Why Can't We All Get Along?

My naive dream that the literary world was a happy, jolly place with writers linking arms and swigging martinis was abruptly shattered back in March. Why March? That was when I read an article by Robert McCrum confirming what I'd so blithly ignored: the Class Pyramid of British Literature. McCrum writes that in literature, poets top the list while crime novelists and writers of celeb biographies languish at the bottom. Sure, sure. Nothing new there.

But what really depressed me was this: there...