This Week in Talia News

I'm going to try to keep a weekly update of how things are going. So, here is the first edition of 'This Week in Talia News'.

I was interviewed on two blogs:

Adventures In Writing

David Cleinman's Works and Writings

The article I was interviewed for in a local publication came out - however, there were a lot of spelling and grammar errors in the article. I'm worried that people will think that's how I write.

I received a good review for Damaged: Natalie's Story on Goodreads. I love it when I get good reviews. I love seeing that people are enjoying my books.

I finished the second draft of my third book and sent it to a couple people to read and review.

Next week's goal: I haven't decided for sure. If the reviews come in quickly, I'll get to work on them. If not, I'll do the first edit on my fourth book. Lots of promoting - I slacked a little the past two weeks trying to finish a couple of things.

Happy Endings

I am one of those people who loves a happy ending. I recently had a few people tell me they don't like happy endings in books because it's not what happens in real life.

Yes, well, we are talking about fiction books and not real life. Which kind of makes me contradict myself. Here I am, writing 'real life' stories and I like giving my characters happy endings. Hmmm.

I don't know what it is, but when I come to the end of reading a book, I want closure. Now, I know this isn't possible in series, lots of them will leave you hanging. But, many books can be closed properly. I like to know what happens.

My first two books have endings that show what happens in the future. That is what those characters needed.

My third book will not have the same kind of ending. But, it is still a 'closure' type of ending.

My fourth book, I think I'll leave open. It will have enough closure for my liking, but will leave it open for a sequel or for reader's minds to wander.

I'm not sure what I'll do after that. I think each character needs their story told until they are happy. Whether it's leaving it open or having an epilogue of some sort. I'm just the writer. The characters are the ones in charge.

What do you think about endings? Should the end of a book have closure? What about happy endings? Should we not write them because they don't always happen in real life?

Author Interview

Time for another author interview. Find out more about me here:

David Cleinman's Works and Writings

Questions for Writers #4

Last week, I asked whether you like it noisy or quiet when you write. Many of you said you listen to some sort of music. So, here's the next question:

Do you have a playlist for your books? How many songs are on it? Do they fit the story? Or are they songs you enjoyed while writing? Do you post the playlist somewhere?

I do have a playlist for my books. Sometimes it's only one or two songs, and other times it's many more. Mostly, they are songs I think fit the characters or the story line, but sometimes it's just a song that I think these characters would like.

Featured Author

I'm being featured on a blog today! The Cozy Corner Reading Room has samples of my books and an interview. Please check it out!

Book #4

Tonight, I feel on top of the world! I finished the first draft of my fourth book. I began writing it March 11, 2011. So, it took less than a month to complete. I'm very excited about this book - and a little worried. It's my first paranormal story making it new territory for me.

I'm not ready to go into details yet, other than to say it's not about vampires or werewolves. It's about teens with 'gifts'.

Right now, I'm setting it aside. I'm going to go back to my third book which needs some editing. I had a few people read it and tell me what they thought. Now, I'll be taking their opinions and going back through it. After the edit, I'll send it back out to these people to see how they like the new version. Then another edit and I hope to get it out for summer.

Once that it is done, I'll go back to this book and do my first edit on it. I'm very hopeful that I will have this one released by the end of the year.

And... I already have book five in my head - and a little on paper. I had to write down some things, the character kept yelling in my head : )

Questions for Writers #3

Do you like it quiet when you write? Or do you like some sort of background noise? TV? Music? Can you write when there are people around talking? Tell me about your writing environment.

Me? I "can" write anywhere. I prefer to write when I can hear myself think, however, 99% of the time I need some background noise. Sometimes it's the TV, but most of the time it's music. Music helps my creative juices flow. Writing when the kids are fighting or whining doesn't go well at all. If I'm writing when that is going on, I have to stop.