More than 20 Can Play...

Wow, guys. So I've been watching these Indelibles from afar for a year now, and I was just thrilled and honored when I was asked to join the group.

Back in the fall of 2011, I had an agent and was working on a book deal, but I could already see the publishing tides were turning. Things were changing for independent authors, and there were more and more great, self-published books hitting the market.

I was always a traditional girl. I had worked as an editor for years, and I believed in the system. But I can point to two distinct moments when my mind started to change.

The first was when fellow Indelible Elle Strauss posted a Ted talk by Margaret Atwood (link). You should take a moment and watch it. The short version is Atwood basically threw down the challenge: She didn't understand why anyone would take a traditional deal anymore.

"Sure, that's easy to say if you're Margaret Atwood," I thought.

The next thing that happened was my good friend (and fellow Indelible) Susan Quinn (link) began posting about her successes in independent publishing, her goals and her ability to reach them. I was editing books for several self-published authors, and I saw the quality storytelling going on. I knew she was right.

On Amazon

Finally, my own (former) agent advised me to self-publish my debut YA romantic-comedy The Truth About Faking (link), and from there, I was completely sold.

Joining forces with a fantastic group of fellow independent writers was the icing on the cake for me.

Writing is a lonely, isolating endeavor. Making the right decision in these publishing times is a scary thing, and it's so great to have good friends and fellow experts you can turn to for advice.

This group is just one example of how writers can work together, but there's absolutely no reason why it should be the only one. Reach out to fellow writers and form your own group!

And regardless of your path to publication, writers can (and should) help each other. We can (and should) encourage each other, and ultimately, we can  (and should) succeed together!

As I like to say, it takes months or years to write an amazing book, but it only takes days to read it. There's plenty of room at the table for everyone!

The Indelibles and groups like ours are about promoting the best part of being writers--helping each other. Grab the baton and do the same!

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Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a freelance editor when time permits, a caffeine addict, a chocoholic, a beach bum, a lover of YA and new adult romance (really any great love story), and occasionally she sleeps.

Leigh's new book on Amazon!

-THE TRUTH ABOUT FAKING (link) is her debut young adult romance.
-ROUGE (link) is the first book in her mature-YA/new adult romance series.

Leigh loves hearing from readers; stop by and say hello:

Blog * Facebook * Amazon Author page * Goodreads

The Art of Novel Ninjutsu

It's true. I'm a little ninja-obsessed. But not because I think killing people in their sleep is awesome. Or that I'd look good in black pajamas and toe-socks. It's writing ninjas that I think are cool.

See, writing ninjas train until our writing muscles are wearing and we just can't take any more.

And then we train some more.

We kill our darlings. Slit the throat of our beautiful prose.

We slash pages and pages of worthless stuff.

 

A writing ninja knows the importance of focus, imagination and feeling. She regularly seeks the opportunity to meditate on her story. 

The writing ninja can write anytime, anywhere. He knows the best time to get the job done is right now.

A writing ninja expects to work. Expects to be awesome. She expects it--and so it is true.

A writing ninja is successful not only because she is fearless and fierce, but also because she doesn't do what's always been done.

A writing ninja shows respect for those who have come before him and he helps those who are following behind.

The writing ninja knows he can always improve; that there is no end to learning. 

Wait. Didn't say this was the art of NOVEL ninjutsu? Sure, I didn't tell you how to write a novel. But I promise you, if you practice the way of the writing ninja, you will write THE END on the most amazing novel you can write. 

Because that's what writing ninjas do--they write, and they conquer.