This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Despite training as a journalist, Talli Roland has always preferred making up her own stories – complete with happy endings. She has published six humorous, romantic reads to date and her latest novel, The No-Kids Club, released earlier this month. Here, she chats to us about writing with a young child, self-publishing and more.
Where do you find inspiration for your books?
I’m not really sure! The ideas usually pop into my head those nights when I’m having trouble sleeping, and thinking up plotlines doesn’t exactly help. I usually get new ideas just when I’m about to finish a novel. I guess my head makes room for the next one!
Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?
My son is in nursery three mornings a week, and that’s when I get most of my work done now. I’m at my desk (read: dining table) by eight. I work for 90 minutes, then take a break for burnt toast – carbon enhances the flavor. Then I sit down again and work for another 90 minutes. Once my son is back home, all bets are off!
When you are writing, do you use any famous people or people you know as inspiration?
No, I don’t. I try to just get on with my own thing. Comparing myself to other greats inevitably depresses me, because alongside them, I feel rather inadequate!
What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?
I love the book Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld. It’s an achingly accurate depiction of what it’s like to be a teen, and so insightful.
What female writer has inspired you?
Carole Matthews is a definite inspiration. She’s a bestseller, she works super-hard and is so productive, and she’s a whiz at social media. Plus, she’s nice!
Can you give us three book recommendations?
Definitely Prep, for the reasons above! I also love Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed, as well as What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn. What Was Lost isn’t women’s fiction but it’s a wonderfully unique voice with a great plot.
What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?
I always plan, but somehow it goes awry! The first draft I tend to power through to the end. The second draft is when the hard work begins – when I start to structure the story. On the third and fourth drafts, I tweak the character journeys and their voices, and then I polish the writing on the fifth draft.
What was your journey to being a published author?
I’ve always enjoyed writing – it was the reason I trained as a journalist – and I’d thought about trying to get a novel published, but it wasn’t until my 30s that I seriously started writing fiction.
Over the next couple years, I wrote four novels and learned a lot! When the opportunity came to publish non-fiction travel guides, I jumped. Even though non-fiction wasn’t really what I wanted to do, I knew it could teach me a lot about the publishing process and maybe even help me get a foot in the door for my fiction. And it did! The same company that published my non-fiction also ended up publishing my fiction.After a stint self-publishing, I signed a contract with Lake Union (Amazon) publishing. They’ve published The Pollyanna Plan, out last March, and my new novel, The No-Kids Club.
What do you think is the biggest myth about being a novelist?
That we’re raking in loads of money and can just swan around, waiting for inspiration to strike. I wish! Writing is hard work and there are some days I wish I had the security and predictability of an office job.
What advice can you give to our readers who want to write a novel of their own?
Just do it! Don’t wait for the right time. Sit down and start writing. The most important thing is to get your bum on the chair.
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now I’m in the throes of revising The Everything Dream, a novel about a mother who must choose between following her passion and raising a family.
Thanks, Talli!