Sunday, 17 June 2012

Author in the Headlights - Talli Roland


Today I'm happy to have Talli Roland dropping by to tell us a bit more about herself.

Talli writes fun, romantic fiction.  Born and raised in Canada, she now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (which, I understand, often involves coffee and wine!)

Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories – complete with happy endings.

Her debut novel, The Hating Game, was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favourite.

Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in both Britain and the United States.

Who has influenced your life the most?  My parents. They’ve always supported me, even if some of my life choices have been a little unconventional.
Which is your favourite book?  I love, love, love The Time Traveler’s Wife. On World Book night this year, I was lucky enough to be able to give away 25 copies. 
What would you save in a fire?  I’d have to say my husband first, my laptop second.  
Which film have you seen several times?  Love Actually and Notting Hill. I won’t say how many times I’ve actually watched them! I’m a sucker for romantic comedies set in London.
What in your life do you regret doing?  I wish I’d got serious about writing sooner. In a way, though, I’m glad I experienced many different jobs, because it certainly gave me a lot to write about!
What ambition do you have?  I’d love to run a marathon one day, which might be a long shot because I was a sprinter in my former life and endurance has never come easily.
If you were an animal, what would you be?  A cat! I love napping in the sun, and I don’t follow instructions well.
What temptation do you wish you could resist?  I’m like a moth to a flame when it comes to red Twizzlers (a flavoured liquorice popular in North America). Once I open the packet, I have to eat them all!
What, in others, makes you angry?  Nothing winds me up like hypocrisy.
What wisdom would you share with a child?  Don’t worry too much about what others think. Be yourself.
What is your philosophy of life?  Life is too short to waste time. If you want to make a change, go for it. 
What is your favourite song?  Anything by Bon Jovi. He’s my go-to man for rock anthems.
What is your favourite piece of music?  I love any piece by Sibelius or Chopin, my two favourite composers.
Which four people, dead or alive, would you like to invite to dinner and why?  Margaret Atwood, Rebecca Brooks, Amelia Earhart, and Cleopatra. That should make for an interesting mix!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you have been?  In my past life, I’ve been a teacher, a journalist, a PR executive, and a recruiter. I’d probably still be doing one of those jobs.
What has made you happiest?  Writing full-time. I love being in control of my hours, my output, and my career. Basically, I like being in control.
What would you want if you could choose anything?  A larger flat with a garden! Seriously, I crave outdoor space.
Who is the most fascinating person you’ve met?  Is it wrong, but I can’t think of anyone in particular? I’m always fascinated by people of different cultures -- my mother-in-law, in particular, since she grew up in rural Egypt in what seems like another world. I love hearing her stories (translated by my husband) of life in the village.
Where is your favourite place in the world?  Lopud, Croatia. It’s a small island just off the coast of Dubrovnik. No cars are allowed, and supplies come in by boat each morning. It’s a magical place.
Who is your real life hero?  My dad. He’s legally blind, but he’s had a very successful teaching career and continues to travel, bike-ride, and lead a much fuller life than me.
Five things you might not know about Talli Roland.
She detests vegetables! She keeps waiting to grow out of it.
She taught English in Poland for two years.
She lived in Texas for a few months, working as an intern for NBC. Interesting times, she says.
She is now a British citizen!
She lusts after Alan Rickman.


Thank you, Talli, for taking time to share that with us.


Talli's latest book, Construct a Couple, was published earlier this month.  You can check it out, along with all her other books, by clicking here.


To learn more about Talli, visit here website here, or read here blog here.  


And you can follow Talli on Twitter  @talliroland.  

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117 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting me, Rebecca, and for asking such great questions!

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  2. Great questions Bex and interesting answers Talli! Best of luck with Construct a Couple Talli.

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  3. Lovely interview. Really, Talli if Red Twizzlers are as bad as it gets then you're doing good! Can I please be a fly on the wall when you have your dinner party. That sounds like a pretty explosive mixture of guests to me.

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    1. Rosalind, I know! :) I chose that combination of guests exactly for that reason. The small talk would be incredible.

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    2. I'll be a fly on the wall too, and we'll need Twizzlers.

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  4. Great interview - love all those little details, and I want to go to Lopud now! Lots of luck with the novel :o)

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    1. Karen, Lopud is amazing! You definitely should go.

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  5. Great interview Bex. I especially liked the five things and Talli, your dad sounds amazing. I agree about Bon Jove too. :-)

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    1. Yay, another Bon Jovi fan! He rocks - literally.

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    2. Thanks, Emily. I liked the five things, too.

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  6. Clearly not enough coffee yet. That should have been Bon Jovi !!

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  7. What a lovely interview. Great questions, Rebecca. Talli, as always, never fails to inspire and entertain us with her answers. I must try these Red Twizzlers I keep hearing about ;) x x

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    1. Aw, thanks, Jan. And yes, you must try Red Twizzlers!

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    2. Thank you, Jan. I knew Talli would be a fun person to have on my blog.

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  8. Detests vegetables?! Ratatouille! Talli, as a vegetarian (me) it could be my mission to change all that... (If I choose to accept it. Self destruct blah, blah, blah..)

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    1. I know, I can't imagine detesting vegetables. Must make life quite difficult.

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    2. Susan, sorry! I have tried very hard to like them, I assure you, and the effort is still in progress! :)

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  9. Interesting interview, Talli and Bex. It's taken me until I was this age (don't bother guessing!) to actually like vegetables and most of those I do like are grilled, steamed or in cheese sauce. x

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    1. Thanks, Sue. I didn't know that you didn't like veg either. Simply can't imagine it, I love them.

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    2. Thanks, Sue! I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling to like veggies.

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  10. Its great to know you a little better. Actually, a lot better as that was an awesome interview. I don't follow instructions well either so we have something in common.

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    1. Stephen, thank you! Yeah, I'm not so great with instructions -- it makes me want to rebel.

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    2. Thanks, Stephen. I've never met Talli, we *talk* in the virtual world, but feel I know her even more, now!

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  11. I like the four people you would invite to dinner. I would love to be around that table. I bet you were glad to get out of Texas! Your interview is interesting, as are you.

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne! Yes, the dinner conversation would definitely be interesting. :)

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    2. Thanks, Yvonne. Talli's choice of dinner guests has turned out to be very popular.

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  12. So in a fire, would you save Alan Rickman before your laptop?

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    1. Alex! That's such a difficult question! Hmm... I'm still going to have to say my laptop.

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  13. What a great set of questions!

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    1. They are, aren't they? :)

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    2. Thanks, Rebecca. That felt strange. Not often I get to thank someone with the same name!

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  14. ...and I thought I was the only one with a 'thing' for Alan. :)

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    1. Em, I'll fight you for him! :) He's so hot.

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    2. I like him, but I think I'll leave you two ladies to fight it out :-)

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  15. And what a gorgeous slinky totally shiny and sparkly kitty you'll be lovely Talli!!!

    Love your pic too!! Take care
    x

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    1. Aw, thanks, Old Kitty! I'd like to have Charlie's fur, too.

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    2. Oh wouldn't she, Old KItty.

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  16. I'd want to be a cat, too. Ours are so pampered.

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    1. Some cats have a fabulous life... I want to be one of those!

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    2. I really don't know how I'd answer that question, but a pampered cat would be nice.

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  17. Talli is one of my FAVORITE bloggers. I loved learning more about her! Sibelius and Chopin = great music picks :)

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    1. Thank, you, Julie. Very glad you feel you've learned more about Talli from reading this.

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    2. Aw, thank you, Julie! :) And yes, you can't go wrong with Sibelius or Chopin.

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  18. Talli...that's because Alan Rickman is lust-worthy!

    Nice to meet you, Rebecca. Please do not enter me in the contest - I already have Construct a Couple on my Kindle.

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    1. Nice to meet you, too, Carol. And many thanks for following my blog. Much appreciated.

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    2. Carol, I'm glad you're on board with the Alan Rickman lusting!

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  19. GREAT interview! I think I learned more about Talli here than at any other time. I've never been a of romantic comedy (HATE the term chick-lit, sounds like chewing gum) but I've totally enjoyed every book of Talli's that I've read, which is most of them.

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    1. Thank you, Bish. That's a great way of summing up the term chick-lit. I do wish everything, especially books, didn't have to be pigeonholed.

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    2. Hi Bish! Thank you so much - and I'm with you; I'm not a fan of the term 'chick lit' either.

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  20. Oh, great interview! Very fun facts about Talli! I love her mix of easy going and interesting.

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    1. Thank you, Hart. I agree, fun facts, interesting and easy going sums Talli up!

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    2. Thank you so much, Hart! And Rebecca. :)

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  21. How much fun this was! Yes, to being a cat because nothing on this planet does napping better. I thought Talli was a soul mate and now that she's revealed her lust for Alan Rickman I'm sure of it.

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    1. Thank you, Clee. I knew Talli would be fun and interesting. Honoured she agreed to answer my questions.

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    2. Hi C Lee! So pleased I'm not alone in lusting after Alan. :) Thanks for dropping by!

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  22. That's a great photo! I share your addiction to twizzlers and couldn't begin to guess how many times we've seen Love Actually. Jon Bon Jovi was in my next door neighbor's high school graduating class...he says he didn't know him well but I still encourage him to invite him for a neighborhood bbq : )

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    1. I've never seen a bad photo of Talli, I don't think they exist. Keep encouraging your next door neighbour, you never know!

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    2. Thank you, Joyce! And Rebecca, I can assure you there are plenty of bad photos of me. I just don't post them!

      Joyce, I'm so jealous of your connection to Bon Jovi!

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  23. Great answers to great questions. Romantic movies set in London. Now that's specific.

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    1. Thanks, Maurice. I think it's great that a Canadian enjoys romantic moves set in London. Everyone automatically thinks Paris.

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    2. Thanks, Maurice! Actually, there are quite a few rom-coms set in London, so I have a broad range to choose from.

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  24. It's always fun to learn more about you Talli! I would love to hear more about when you interned for NBC! Thanks for leading a wonderful interview Rebecca! Julie

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    1. Thank you, Julie. Really enjoyed having Talli on my blog, and I can't wait to meet her next month.

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    2. Thanks, Julie! Oh, yes, the interning was definitely a very interesting time. You wouldn't believe some of the crazy stories we covered.

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  25. Great interview! Talli, do you EVER take a bad picture? You're always adorable! Be a cat right there with ya if I could. They have it good. Except the thumbs thing...

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    1. Thank you, Colene, And no, she doesn't. I love the cats with thumbs ad, always makes me laugh.

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    2. Thanks, Colene! And yes, I do take some *very* bad photos! :)

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  26. I had to giggle over Alan Rickman. I can understand your view of your dad. Love how he doesn't allow his limitations define him. Sounds like he passed that on to his daughter, too. Legally blind, as a friend says, doesn't make her like a bat but it does make her savor what she can see and do.

    Talli, do you have any ground space outside at all? There are some great gardens that can be made from just a couple of feet of dirt and a creative use of pots. Gardens grow up rather than spreading out. You can make some nice places to sit and relax in even a tiny space. Being in the military, we lived in some townhouses with a 4x5 concrete pad and anywhere from a 12-24 inches of dirt. I was amazed at what I could create in that space.

    Lovely interview, ladies.

    Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

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    1. Thanks, Sia. Talli's story reminded me of my mum. She'd always had dreadful eyesight. In her late 40s she had a cataract operation and, I think I'm right in saying, lens replacement. I walked in and it was the first time she'd seen me clearly. I was in my late 20s. Quite a moment.

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    2. Sia, exactly!

      A big sigh on the outdoor space. We do have a very small balcony out front where we could probably grow some potted plants. The issue is that we live on a very busy road with lots of buses going by, so it's not really relaxing. The back of the house is very quiet, but we don't have access to it. Thanks for the thought, though!

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  27. Those are awesome questions! You have led an interesting life Talli - lots of fodder for those stories :)

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    1. Thanks, Jemi! Yes, a lot of fodder for stories!

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    2. Thanks, Jemi, She has had, and continues to have, an interesting life.

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  28. Fun interview! You have very good tastes in movies and music :) And your parents sound amazing!

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    1. Thank you, Heather! And yes, I think they're amazing.

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    2. Thanks, Heather, and I agree with you.

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  29. Mmm, Alan Rickman... And Amelia Earhart sounds like a fascinating dinner guest.
    Great interview! I love red Twizzlers too :-)

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    1. Deniz, I envy your access to red Twizzlers. :)

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    2. Thank you, Deniz. I'm going to have to try these red Twizzlers, if I ever manage to track them down.

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  30. But Alan Rickman is so awesome! Even Snape was sexy. :)
    Great interview!

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    1. Lydia, I couldn't agree more. About Alan, anyway!

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    2. Thank you, Lydia. Shall have to borrow the Harry Potter DVD from my daughter and see if I think Snape's sexy :-)

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  31. What a fun read! I loved getting to know Talli better. :D

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  32. Great interview - good reading!

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  33. 'Even Snape was sexy' had me chuckling because it's so, so true! Thanks, Bex and Talli for a great interview. Talli, have you tried a veggie smoothie? Maybe a shot of cucumber vodka, not that I wish to lead you down the alcohol trail...

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    1. Thank you, Toni. Cucumber vodka? Does that really exist?

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  34. Alan Rickman FTW!lol

    So great to learn more about Talli! And I could watch Love, Actually every day. :)

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    1. Thanks, Pk. I'm with you on Love Actually, although I'm not sure about everyday.

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  35. Great to learn so many new things about my favorite author!

    Riya.

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  36. Great questions,there were some I would have had to take a long time to think of an answer.Talli,Alan Rickman? Really?
    Yes that would be a great dinner party only thing is Rebecca Brookes might not be free.

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    1. Thank you, Anne. My mother turned the tables and interviewed me. The questions were nothing like these, but I still found it hard.

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  37. Thank you, Rebecca, for helping us get to know Talli better. Great interview, ladies! :)

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    1. You're welcome, Karen, glad you enjoyed it.

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  38. I love your book covers, Talli. And I share your love of romantic comedies!

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    1. I'm with you there, Emily, they're great covers.

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  39. Talli, you don't like veg?! How do you stay so slim?! I'm much better at long distance running than sprinting so how about I run in front of you holding a pack of twirlers just out of your reach? Marathon, done!

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    1. I'll leave you two ladies to do the running, whether it be a sprint or a marathon. I'll be the one handing out water bottles!

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  40. What a fun interview, Rebecca and Talli. I love the questions. I didn't realize Talli had ever lived in the U.S., and I'm amazed she doesn't like vegetables.

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    1. Thank you, Patricia. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  41. A marathon, I have complete faith you could do it! And I'm right there with you when it comes to great romantic comedies, they can't be beat. Congrats on your newest release. Since the links are so handy, I think I'll check it out right now!

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    1. I'm sure she could do it, too, Heater.

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  42. This is awesome. Thanks for sharing, Talli!

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  43. Great interview! I bought two of Talli's books, both of which I finished in just a few days because they were so good that I couldn't stop reading them. I'm totally jealous of Talli for getting to write full-time, because I'm still at the day job (or I guess I should say day jobs).

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    1. Thank you, and good luck with your own writing.

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  44. Fantastic interview, Rebecca and Talli!

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    1. Thanks, Emma, so glad you enjoyed it.

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  45. Great answer as to which animal you'd be, Talli!

    Terrific interview!

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    1. Thank you, William, very pleased you enjoyed it.

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