Talli Roland speaks about ‘Taking the Plunge’

I wanted to start 2012 with a series of posts from people who have ‘taken the plunge’ or ‘followed their dreams’ or had a ‘now or never’ moment, because it MIGHT just inspire you to be a bit brave too…

First up, the delightful Talli Roland:

I tried for five minutes (at least) to come up with a cliché-free title for this post . . . and failed. Because ‘following your dreams’ is such a cliché, isn’t it? Just uttering the phrase aloud is enough to ensure a eye-roll from anyone within earshot. In fact, I usually employ a pre-emptive eye-roll myself.

But for all the nausea-inducing triteness it conjures up, there’s nothing more satisfying than making a start at something you truly love. Four years ago, I left behind my corporate life and made the jump to full-time writing, with the goal of becoming a novelist. And not just a novelist: a published one.

Looking back, it was a definite leap of faith – but when is following your dreams ever practical? I’d trained as a journalist, so I knew I had the mechanics of writing somewhat conquered. But could I write fiction, a completely different kettle of fish? I’d never written a full-length ‘adult’ novel. In fact, the last oeuvre I’d penned was at age thirteen. Eep!

Motivated by fear, I sat at my desk and started writing. Eighty thousand words and a few months later, and my first novel was complete. Cue copious rejections! And repeat for novel number two and three and four… and five.

Thankfully, along the way, I met a publisher who contracted me to write a London travel guide, 24 Hours London. Although it wasn’t fiction – and not my dream – I was thrilled to finally tell people that YES! I had something published! My book was in the shops, I got the Mayor of London’s endorsement, and things were finally moving.

And move they did! Since that first London book, I’ve published four others (including three novels): 24 Hours Paris, The Hating Game, Watching Willow Watts, and Build A Man. From a standing start four years ago, sometimes I can’t believe what the past few years have brought – and I couldn’t be more thankful.

So has ‘taking the plunge’ paid off? I think you know my answer!

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About Talli: Talli Roland has three loves in her life: chick lit, coffee and wine. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Her debut novel, The Hating Game, was an Amazon Top 100 bestseller and shortlisted for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance, and her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as a 2011 Amazon Customer Favourite. Build A Man is her latest release. Talli blogs here and can be found on Twitter here.