David's Song Taken from the book cover: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience. A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy.
Author A.R. Talley April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.
- What gave you the inspiration to write this book? The book was inspired by a real life experience of running into an old friend (a guy who I had a huge crush on as a young adult - we never dated, never were anything more than friends, but I never forgot him.) Afterwards, I started wondering what would have happened if life had worked out differently - if different choices had been made on both our parts. In considering that 'alternate reality',David's Song was born.
- Who is your favorite character in the book? That's a hard question. It would be easier to say who was my least favorite. But if I have to choose one, it would probably be David Andrews - mostly because I would like to be like him. Not a man, necessarily, but I would like to be confident, talented, attractive, but still have the vulnerability that allowed me to really need relationships.
- Which came first, the title or the novel? Definitely the novel came first. It was my husband who actually came up with the title for me. He's been a HUGE support all through the writing process.
- What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why? I think that would have to be the scene in the library when Annie's little deception is revealed. I love to read and reread that scene. When I read it, I see the tension between the three protagonists. It's the first real suggestion that Jeremy has feelings for Annie. I think it also suggests that David is uncomfortable when he is with both Dana and Annie because his feelings are changing. And it highlights Annie's distorted thinking about herself and her influence on others.
- Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now? I'm nor sure how to explain this. I have learned far more than I thought I would about writing in general. At first I had real issues with grammar. I just didn't remember the things I was taught in elementary school. :) I have a daughter who majored in English at BYU who edited my work. She would put notes in the margins explaining the rules, which helped immeasurably. But probably the most important thing I have learned was to trust those I have chosen as editors. At first I worried that if I took their suggestions that somehow the story was no longer mine, that somehow it became their work instead. But as I worked with my husband on the first drafts ofDavid's Song, he helped me flush out characters, giving me a more objective perspective. With his help, I was able to make revisions that kept characters personalities
clear. It took me awhile to realize it was a simple insecurity about my writing ability that I needed to overcome. I still struggle occasionally with the same issue, but now I think it's a matter of pride. I do know, have learned, that editors are my friends and that if I listen to them, my writing will continue to improve. - What do you like most about the cover of the book? I think it looks elegant, especially since I am self-published. I think it's relative to the story without looking cheesy. I have seen some really retched self-published book covers. Come to think of it, I've seen some really bad traditionally published covers as well.
- What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2013? Some of the books I was looking forward to have already been released. One of those was Prodigy by Marie Lu, the sequel to Legend. Another was Clockwork Princess, by Cassandra Clare, the conclusion of the Mortal Instruments trilogy. Still to come, I'm looking forward to Fly Away, by Kristen Hannah, that's the sequel to Firefly Lane, which is one of my all time favorite books. I'm also looking forward to A Step of Faith, by Richard Paul Evans, which is the next installment of his The Walkseries.
- What was your favorite book in 2012? I couldn't decide on just one, so here's my top three (these are books I read in 2012, not necessarily published in 2012). Ruth, by Elizabeth Gaskell, Lady of the Rivers, by Philippa Gregory, and Legend, by Marie Lu.
- What’s up next for you? I actually have three books in the queue. I need to do one more editorial pass onJeremy's Promise, the sequel to David's Song, before I publish it later this year. The third book in the trilogy is currently under revision - hopefully ready for publication in 2014. I have another novel entitled, The Night is Gone, which I am currently revising. I am hoping to enter it into the Marilyn Brown Literary Contest later this year. Then I have two other novels just in the beginning stages. I hope to give them a little more attention once all this revising is done. No titles as of yet for those works.
- Is there anything that you would like to add? Thank you for the interview. It's been really fun to answer your questions. And I hope you enjoyed David's Song and that others will take a look at it. I think it's a good story, and hopefully will cause people to take a moment to reflect on the choices they've made in their lives. I think people tend to wish life was different, but when really examined, very few would actually make different choices. At least, that was true for me. Thanks!
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