Friday's at the Piedmont Grille

On Today's Menu -- Talli Roland

I'm really excited to have Talli here today. I've long been wanting to do an interview, and she graciously consented. Let's get right to it.

For those who don't know, you also write travel guides under the name Marsha Moore. Have you written any more with your travels to Egypt and Canada?

I haven’t, because I’ve been focusing mainly on fiction. I love travelling and travel writing but right now, I want to build up my fiction readership as much as I can. Fiction has always been my dream.

I know what you mean. I don't think I could write non-fiction in any aspect.

Your pen name is such a delightful creation and so fits your personality -- how did you ever come up with it?

Thank you! I’ve always wanted to choose my own name, so it was a very fun process. Since I write chick lit, I wanted something quite fun and also a bit different – so when it was Googled, it would be easy to find. My mum’s maiden name is Roland, so that sorted my surname. My editor at the time and I threw around a few first names, and we finally hit on Talli. I think Talli is taking over my whole persona now!

I love it. It reminds me of candy.

Do you have plans to write another book for your publisher or are you concentrating solely on e-books on your own?

Never say never, but right now I’m concentrating solely on putting out e-books myself. I love that I can set my own timelines and that I’m in control of the process. Not to mention the fact that I don’t need to divide my royalties! My sales were always mainly e-books, so it made sense to go out on my own. 

I hear you on the control issues.

With the publication of your self-published e-book Build a Man and the upcoming Construct a Couple you were thinking about paperback versions as well.  Have you made a decision? (inquiring minds want to know) 

I’m still on the fence, but I’m leaning towards not putting out a paperback copy. It’s a ‘nice to have’, but with most of my sales being e-books (even with the paperback copies of my first two novels available), I’m not sure it’s worth the time and the effort.  I’d rather spend that time writing!

I think that's the new 'normal' these days. E-books are the new paperback version.

What is the hardest part of writing for you -- revsisions? first drafts? edits?

Oh God, definitely the second draft. The first draft, I have a general outline, but I just sit down and write. The words pour out.  With the second draft, I need to take my drivel and shape it into something. There’s always a moment where I look with despair at what I’ve written, wondering if I can use any of it! 

Oh, it's nice to know we're not alone picking over our drivel. lol

Your chick lit titles have been wildly successful -- is there another genre you'd like to write in?

Chick lit suits my voice right now, and although I started off writing more literary fiction, I think I’ll stay writing chick lit for a while to come. Eventually, I’d like to move into commercial women’s fiction – less humour, more depth – but we’ll see what the future brings!

What is the most important advice you've received thus far that you'd wished you'd known earlier in your career?

Actually, no one’s told me this, but it’s something I discovered and I wish I’d known it earlier: pace yourself, because getting published is not the final goal. If you want to have a successful career in publishing, you need to think about your next book, and the one after that, and the one after that . . . Being published is not the end of the road.

I think that's important, to know where you're going after you write The End. Someone once told me to have a ten year goal. Right now I'm set for five and I think that's enough for now.

What is the most surprising thing you've learned about yourself in publishing both with a small press and self-publishing?

Wow, that’s a great question! Er . . . um . . .  *five minutes later* Do you know, I don’t think I’ve learned anything new about myself, but the process has reinforced things I already knew: that I like being in control, that I can easily obsess over unimportant things for hours (not good!), and that I’m very driven.

Well, your drive has certainly gotten you to the top of the chick lit market. I can't think of anyone who doesn't know you. And as always I wish you all the success in the world.

You can find Talli on her blog here.

You can find Talli Roland's books here.

You can find Marsha Moore's Travel Guides 24 Hours Paris, 24 Hours London here.

Thanks again Talli, it's been great having you.