Author Interview: Rebecca Talley

For her website click here
She blogs here

Rebecca, who are you as a person versus an author?

All I've ever aspired to be is a wife and mom. My greatest goal in this life is to stand in the celestial room of the temple with all of my kids there. I love being married and being a mom. I'm not so crazy about booger noses and sticky Kool-Aid messes on the floor, but I love watching my kids grow, I love to hear them bear their testimonies, I love to see them develop their talents, I love to listen to their questions.

I also love to teach. My favorite callings in the Church have been teaching, especially in Primary. I absolutely loved serving as the Primary chorister. It was so much fun.

I enjoy knitting, playing the piano, and redecorating the house, but have given most of that up in pursuit of writing.

I do yearn for a clean house and an organized basement so I can actually find my food storage (I know it’s down there somewhere).

After my kids are raised, I hope to serve a mission with my husband, travel to research my ancestors, and serve in the temple. Since I have a 3-year-old, that might be quite a few years down the road.

What genre(s) do you write in?

Mainly, I've written for children. All of my magazine stories have been targeted at children. I wrote a children’s picture book, “Grasshopper Pie” (WindRiver 2003), and I’ve graduated from the Institute of Children’s Literature.

I also write LDS romance and LDS women's fiction.

Do you seek to educate or entertain?

Probably a little of both. I think all good stories entertain, but the best ones also teach us a little about life and about ourselves. Through books, we can explore so much and learn so many things. I hope that my stories entertain, but also teach a little about how I view life and the world around me.

Where do you write your best stuff, and when?

I try to write every day, usually in the afternoon while my youngest sleeps, after all the chores are done. But, some days I just write whenever I get the chance. My life can be crazy at times so I'm always thankful for any time I have to write.

Why do you write?

I've always loved language and how words sound. I love to string together sentences and use different words. I write because it’s my way of creatively expressing what’s in my head and in my heart (the world is grateful that I don’t try to express myself through singing). I love to see a story take shape and share my stories with others.

Vanilla or chocolate?

Chocolate--the darker, the better.

Laptop, PC, Mac, longhand, other? Why?

I write on a laptop. Unfortunately, my youngest child has learned how to delete my writing and reboot my laptop. He has even figured out how to get past my password protection.
I like that my laptop allows me more opportunities to write because it's so versatile. However, I also use a notebook to write longhand because I love the feel of the pen in my fingers and the smoothness under my hand as it moves across the paper. It's very tactile and I like that.

What do you love to read?

I read LDS fiction and children's books. I shy away from national releases because I'm afraid they will have foul language and/or inappropriate scenes. If I don’t want my kids to read a book, I won’t read it either. The books I read have to be suitable for my kids to read. I loved, "Stargirl," by Jerry Spinelli and "Princess Academy," by Shannon Hale.

What is your current book?

My current book is Altared Plans. Here’s the tagline, “Abandoned at the altar, Caitlyn vows to never love again. Will Travis change her mind or will it be déjà vu?” The story chronicles Caitlyn’s reentry into dating life at BYU. It’s a romantic comedy that is a feel-good, escape-at-the-end-of-a-long-day kind of book.

One piece of advice/wisdom for the world?

Keeping the commandments of God is the only way to find true peace and joy in this life.

Dogs or cats?

Cats. My mother gave my grandparents a Siamese cat shortly before she passed away. I lived with my grandparents after my mother’s death and spent a lot of time with that cat. I was devastated when he died in my arms because he was a connection to my mom. I guess I’ll always have a soft spot for cats.

What do you want to be remembered for, or as?

I want to be remembered as a faithful member of the Church and as a devoted wife and mother. Having an eternal family is the very most important thing to me. I truly believe the words of David O. McKay when he said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” I want to raise strong, faithful, committed children who will marry in the temple and, in turn, raise their own children in the gospel.