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| Michelle D. Argyle |
When I
heard about Indiestructible, my heart
began to race. I’ve never been an author to think self-publishing or
small-press publishing is the only way to go, but I have always
strongly believed no one path is best for any one author. Whenever I stop by a
blog post that shouts and screams things like “don’t ever use adverbs!” or
“never start a novel with your character waking up!” or “self-publishing is for
those not good enough”, I get a nasty taste in my mouth.
I don’t believe in
rules for writers. I believe in good grammar and spelling. I believe most
stories follow the same types of structure to work, but I do not believe there
are rules everyone should follow no matter what. That’s what makes
writing art and creative. It’s not a mold. We are not
robots or machines. And publishing … well, it’s the same thing. There is no one
way to do it. Any way you go about it can be done poorly, but the opposite is
also true.
So Indiestructible is everything I
embrace. It loudly declares how proud authors are of going down a different
path from the norm. I’ve never been one to follow the bigger group of people.
When I married, I had a dress made instead of going to buy one. It was from a
Renaissance pattern because I wanted something completely different. I’ve
always liked to feel different and unique, so it’s no wonder that in my
publishing career I have followed a similar path—one not so well trodden. We
authors who trod this path are indestructible. We are not better than
others who go a more traditional route. What we are is unconventional, and I
think that makes a difference in how we approach our writing. It gives us a
fun, creative, and unique flair that adds to the richness of everything else out
there.
I hope
writers all of kinds pick up Indiestructible and
leave with a wider view of what’s out there. I know I have!
________________________
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| Just $0.99 on Amazon |
100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.
Contributing authors:
Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen
Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn
________________________
About Michelle D. Argyle:
Argyle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She loves the
seasons, but late summer and early fall are her favorites. She adores
chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in
whatever time she can grab between her sword-wielding husband and energetic
daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life. Michelle currently has
four novels published: MONARCH, THE
BREAKAWAY,
BONDED, and PIECES.
________________________
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Rules Schmules, eh? I am not a big fan, either. I'm doing a mix of traditional and self publishing, which surely is the most schizophrenic possible plan. I just feel like I need to let the works go the route they want to.
ReplyDeleteI think the hybrid authors these days are making a wise choice. It makes me think of the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" sort of approach. As far as writing, yep, I it's so important to let a book do what it needs to do without forcing it. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteIf everybody had followed the rules, Ernest Hemingway would've fallen by the wayside.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kitty! That would be a sad loss indeed, wouldn't it? I'm so glad the artistic field is a place where we can really just let go. At least, for the most part I try to! Sometimes it's easy to forget.
DeleteRenaissance wedding dress = awesome. :) Love this, Michelle! I already have INDIESTRUCTIBLE on my Kindle and have enjoyed it so far. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYeah, Katy, I should show you my dress! It's quite the piece, hah. Thanks for your support of Indiestructible!
DeleteThis is a GREAT book, it really is. In fact, just now I left a review on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Cathy! Reviews are the best and truest gold for all these authors. :)
DeleteInteresting thoughts. Although, at this point I think more people are self publishing than going the traditional route. Some people are even self publishing to build a platform and then going the traditional route.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Beth, I'm seeing more and more of that, as well. It wasn't my plan to do so, but it looks like I'm going in the direction of using it as a platform as well and then moving on later to more traditional. I was kind of pushed into that corner, but I'm liking it here so far.
DeleteYou're right - there is more than one way to do it. I know a lot of authors want agents, but I never even considered that route. The result is I'm very happy with my small press.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I'm so happy you're pleased with your small press and that it has gone well for you! I think that can be such a risky route (now that I've gone through a bit of a rocky road with one myself). You have definitely been successful, which is really great!
DeleteI'm the same way. I'm not a fan of rules especially when it comes to self-expression or the arts. After all I'm a child of the 60's and have always had a tendency toward breaking rules. If a writer says something that makes sense and is completely understandable and "broke the rules" in doing so then I feel as though they've created their own personal rules of writing. And later they can break their own rules if they want to. Readability is the important thing.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Arlee, you hit right on what I believe -- personal rules. I definitely create my own and stick by them unless the piece I'm working on requires me to bend or break them. I'm never afraid to try something new!
DeleteMy publisher is actually very passionate about this--the idea of no writing rules. He says there's really only one golden rule, and that is "to engage your readers." This was very transformational for my writing, especially coming from someone so involved and respected in the profession.
ReplyDeleteNadine, I agree with your publisher!
DeleteYou need to know the rules before you break them. We have individual voices, they should never be lost in the clamour to follow the crowd.
ReplyDeleteI can think of many authors who ignored the advice. Different writing books emphasize different skills, but my faves are by those who tell you to use your own voice.
I think it's important to know the "rules" too, but it's important to make them your own and figure out what works for you. It can be so hard to find your voice sometimes!
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