Monday, November 14, 2011

November, Four Years On

Happy Monday, everyone. It's misty and grey here... the perfect day for a little (indoor) reflection. Four years ago this month, I left behind my corporate life and made the jump to full-time writing. Okay, so it was really more of a desperate scramble  (if you've ever read my story about the errant BlackBerry, you'll know what I mean), but still!

Looking back, it was a definite leap of faith. 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 this 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 other books: 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 that leap of faith paid off? I think you know my answer!

(Many thanks to Sharon Mayhew for inspiring me to write this post.)

97 comments:

  1. And HOW it has payed off! You're a sparkling gem, a lovely twitter star, and a brilliant writer. For my part, I'm very happy you took that leap! Carry on! And yes, pour that champers today, there's good reason to celebrate. :)

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  2. They say you make your own luck. You're living proof "they" are right.

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  3. I think it's important that we listen to ourselves, and take those leaps of faith every now and then. What a journey they lead us on! Congrats on your success ...

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  4. very cool. I'm sort of mid-leap, and it's scary. But you're a wonderful example and very encouraging. Yay! Here's to lucky leaps~ <3

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  5. Talli, I loved reading this. You know I've always admired your drive and discipline and I just really enjoyed this very succinct, professional recap of your background.

    Hats off, girl.

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  6. SO good to hear! I'm so happy for you! (And I'm about to embark on my own leap of faith, so I love to hear about them paying off.)

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  7. Only four years? Wow! I think that's such a wonderful journey. I'm privileged to have followed you along on part of your journey.

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  8. Well I love your books, so I'm glad you took that leap of faith. :)

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  9. Congratulations on four well-spent years! I'm so glad you took that leap (says another former journalist on the same path). Here's to many more happy, productive years.

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  10. Thank you so much, everyone. It's been wonderful sharing all this with you.

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  11. The really nice thing is you've only just begun. There are many more books for you to write. Congratulations.

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  12. Happy fourth anniversary, Talli...so glad it's worked out for you!

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  13. You have to take that leap of faith from time to time. Life's too boring and predictable otherwise!

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  14. Wonderful to hear you followed your bliss! You are an inspiration!

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  15. That's pretty amazing, Talli! See what we can achieve when we put our minds to it? Nothing is impossible :o) Way to go!

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  16. It's always fun to hear author's journeys.

    Leaps of faith are scary but they don't come without a lot ofthought. Glad your's paid off sweetie!

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  17. When you take those leaps, as scary as they are, you open up all kinds of possibilities that wouldn't have existed if you'd played it safe.

    Good for you!

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  18. I'm so glad you made that leap, Talli. Thanks for sharing this. You're truly an inspiration.

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  19. I would say that it did! Congrats on stepping out and meeting success! :)

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  20. I definitely think that leap of faith has paid off, and here's to many more years. :)

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  21. I think your story's an inspiration, Talli! Taking that leap of faith must have been terrifying, but you've made it and that's what counts! Congratulations x

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  22. I bet you didn't predict that path, either! Awesome accomplishments, Talli.

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  23. Definitely a good choice, Talli! Your leap of faith paid off and inspired others.

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  24. Lovely Talli!! Keep leaping!!!! You have nice long legs so jump those hurdles and get that gold medal! Oooh you must do 24hours London for the Olympics!!!! Oh yes!! Take care
    x

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  25. I, for one, am happy that you took that leap!!! Yay you!!! :)

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  26. You're a complete inspiration! Congratulations on being fab (ps - flapjacks were fab and it isn't raining - hurrah!)

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  27. What a journey, Talli. A dream come true.

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  28. Such an inspiring post :) Thank you for this, I kind of needed it. I just graduated from college and in the middle of my first WIP, so I'm a bit mid-air in terms of my own leap of faith. I'm just hoping I don't crash. Stories like yours make me feel better :)

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

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  29. Congratulations on taking that giant leap! And for all the published books, too :)

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  30. Thank you for sharing your journey. I don't think I really knew how it went from start to now. You've done so much Talli. Congrats!

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  31. That's great, and so well deserved. Glad it all worked out for you.

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  32. That is quite a leap of faith! Looks like it paid off in completely amazing ways. Congrats on it all!

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  33. You've definitely accomplished a lot in the past four years! Good for you! I admire anyone who can take that leap of faith, because it can be very scary to do that. I think a lot of people dream about leaving their day jobs to pursue writing full-time, but they either can't afford to or they're too scared to. But on the other hand, they may end up regretting their decision later on because they won't get to find out if their dream could have come true. But your dream did come true! So congratulations!

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  34. Thanks for this inspirational post! Look how much you've accomplished in 4 years! I'm so glad that you took the leap! Julie

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  35. I'm standing at the edge of a leap of faith. Next year I'm hoping to quit my 'day job' and start writing full time. It's terrifying to give up a career that you know pays the bills. But in my heart I know it's the right thing to do and I have a wonderful husband standing by my side supporting the dream. Thank you for sharing your story, it gives me hope that maybe I can do it too.

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  36. I love reading posts like this one. It's so important to put your writing first if you want to make it your career. I wish you the best of luck as you continuing on your writing journey!

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  37. Congrats Talli that is quite a journey.

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  38. Certainly faith and very inspirational!

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  39. Yay for leaps of faith! Love that yours worked out so well (and that you worked so hard to make it work). SO inspirational. Thanks, Talli!

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  40. WOW! In just four years, all of that! Big congratulations Talli.

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  41. Talli rocks! I'll remember your story when my PMA is wearing thin. Hope you're going for the sparkly stuff tonight.

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  42. WOW, Talli that's great! I don't know the BlackBerry story, but would love to hear it! Congrats! I'm so glad you did take the leap of faith. One day I hope to take that leap as well.

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  43. You've made amazing progress! And keep at it, eh? teehee. I have a little envy for the leeway to leave the day job behind, but I suppose I am just on a slower train...

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  44. That is so great that you are able to look back, reflect on taking that chance, and know that it's for the best. May much more success glady make it's way to your doorstep.

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  45. I admire people who make the break and commit themselves to something they really want to do. Congratulations and many more successes to come:-)

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  46. Congrats Talli, you're sure a motivation to me, and I guess, many others.

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  47. Thank you for this post Talli! I quit my corporate job just this last April...I am in total scramble phase. Trying my writing...trying my photography. I LOVED reading your successes and it only gives me faith to keep moving forward. Congratulations too!!

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  48. Talli, Congratulations to you! As I've said before, I love it when good things happen to nice (and hardworking) people. So glad your change worked out well for you. Oh, and I LOVE your books! :)

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  49. Good for you. I think this has paid off in spades. You've achieved so much in these four years. So impressive. x

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  50. Aw, congratulations Talli! What an amazing four years to have had!

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  51. That is one cool journey. :) Congratulations!

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  52. It's great to read about your success and bravery. Keep it rolling.

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  53. Yaaaaaay! I'm reading Watching...right now actually. Love it!

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  54. I missed the errant blackberry but hey, a leap is a leap. Sometimes faith is all we have :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  55. It takes a lot of courage to make a leap like that! I'm so glad you did :)

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  56. Great job! You have achieved a lot through your talent, patience, and determination. I`m so glad and proud that I have found you and your blog in the blogosphere. Looking forward to your new book!

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  57. Congratulations Talli. I'm certainly glad you made the leap. You might have been in the air for a while, but you landed neatly in the end :)

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  58. Great post Talli! Congratulations on all your successes and here's to many more to come! :)

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  59. It's great that you had the courage to take that chance and make it work. You are an inspiration to others who may be contemplating something similar.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  60. Congratulations, Talli! Happy 4th anniversary!

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  61. Congrats on all your successes so far! It's good to hear about writers taking the plunge and coming out on top at the other end :D

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  62. Huge congratulations upon your success. You did the right thing and have found your place within the writing world. Hugs x

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  63. This post was just what I need right now :-)

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  64. YOu are a star and inspiration to all of us Talli - well done you!xx

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  65. A truly inspiring post, Talli - well done for taking that leap of faith. And I guess it also proves that having one book out there leads on to even more success!

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  66. I'm leaping! I'm leaping! And I'm leaping for you! You done good, Ms. Talli!

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  67. I am happy for you and for me because I finally get to read your books. As you know I have read the The Hating Game, Watching Willow Watts and now Build A Man! Love Them All!
    So glad that you took that leap. Congrats, Talli.

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  68. Happy Anniversary Beauty!!!! What a great leap of faith and I'm so glad you did it. We're all better for it.

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  69. Sounds like a whirlwind journey. Good for you!

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  70. I'm very glad you took that leap of faith because I adore your work and I can't wait to read more! You truly are an inspiration! :)

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  71. So pleased you took that advice otherwise perhaps we may not be reading your wonderful novels.

    Yvonne.

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  72. Have to say I like your new picture. Very professional. Inspires me to do something like that, at least for the holidays. I wonder if I can still fit into my fancy clothes hahaha.

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  73. What a great story, Talli. Your success is so encouraging and inspiring to all of us aspiring writers out there! You're a sweet, talented person and deserve all of those great things!

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  74. I love your Blackberry story. I'm glad you had support from your husband to take a leap of faith and I'm glad it took off. You've come so far from the Marsha Moore I first Met who had one travel guide out and a second on the way + the Talli Roland who hadn't yet announced her publishing contract for The Hating Game. You've achieved a lot these 4 years.

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  76. You've got quite a lot under your belt, Talli. Wishing you continued success.

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  77. You're seriously amazing. I look up to you a lot. You give me the push I can't give myself and this post was beautiful. Thank you for always being you, and for always sharing your story!

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  78. It's not just your leap of faith but your perserverence that has brought you so far. That's a very difficult thing to keep going after so many rejections. It's great that you never gave up on your dream. You are an inspiration!

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  79. Congratulations, Talli! It's been great to be able to follow you along your journey and I wish you much more success to come!

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  80. Wow - you're a fast writer! That's a lot of books in four years. And I'm sure there are many more to come!

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  81. Awesome, Talli. I love reading success stories. May you have many more books in the future.

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  82. What a lovely story about following your heart- I am all about that! Here is to many more years ahead :)

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  83. 88 comments *faints* but thanks for this great positive post - great encouragement and incentive who are where you were 4 years ago!!

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  84. Hi, Talli! I just found your blog through a comment you left on my writer's group site, MVRWA. What in inspirational story, especially for someone like me, who's in the pre-publishing phase. I'm looking forward to reading your books, and following your blog.

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  85. Wow! Talli you are a powerhouse, fours years, you have done so well and by the amount of comments you have it shows how much you are admired.Not only that but you take the time to encourage other people, taking time from your busy life to write comments on blogs, I don't think you know how much they mean, coming from you. So congratultions on all your acheivements I know you have many more books in your head.x

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  86. That sounds really similar to my situation.

    Quit job in '05 and went freelance so I could work at home. Finally I had the time to write. I most certainly do not regret it. No way!

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  87. Congratulations Talli!
    I'm a great believer in living your dream and making things happen. If you hadn't left your 'corporate' life, the you'd still be there pushing the pen or is it tapping the keys for someone else. So well done. You're an inspiration to all wannabe writers!
    Best Wishes,
    Jean

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  88. I love to hear the wonderful successes of people who pursue their dreams! It's inspiring to those of us who just started our journey, or still contemplating whether they should try it. Bravo to you, for doing what most don't have the courage to do, and I'm so happy that your work is paying off!

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  89. This was a fun post that tickles the spirit of any writer--published or about to be! Congratulations, Talli! : )

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  90. Fiction is a strange fish.

    I once saw a famous actor give a reading from his writings at the Bath Literary Festival. He openly admitted he couldn't write fiction; he could only recount witty anecdotes he had actually experienced.

    The story he read out was funny but in the end it just petered-out because that's what happened in real life and he couldn't imagine a more dramatic or satisfying ending.

    So writing fiction is not easy... BZ!

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  91. Hi Talli .. well done on all counts .. you've taken the risk, you've worked hard, you've worked even harder, you've learnt along the way .. and success does and will come - it's a great journey for us to share with you .. cheers Hilary

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Coffee and wine for all!