Meet Leslie Piggott

We recently connected with Leslie Piggott and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I have always loved being creative. I have an engineering degree and my husband describes me as “the most creative engineer he knows.” From watercolor to knitting to quilting and beyond, I try to do something creative every day. I find that my writing is enhanced by starting the work day with a simple watercolor painting. It stimulates my right brain. I have a personal goal of writing 1500 to 2000 words a day in my current manuscript. If I’m struggling with writer’s block, I take a break and do something else creative. Additionally, I find that exercising gives me an opportunity to brainstorm ideas for future books or plot twists within my current project. I’m a runner and I can allow my mind to wander through various scenarios as I log miles in my neighborhood.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a crime novelist. I began my career as an author during the pandemic by writing poetry. It was my outlet to cope with all we were experiencing in the world at that time. I created watercolor paintings to complement my poems and was encouraged to publish them by friends and family. This process led me to trying my hand at writing a novel. I’ve always loved mysteries and began by writing a stand alone medical thriller: “Rising Pressure”. I chose this genre as my background in medical research made the subject matter familiar and comfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed creating the fictitious world within that book and branched out from there to create the “Cari Turnlyle Series”. This mystery series follows journalist Cari Turnlyle as she investigates suspicious activities and deaths in the fictional town of Brenington, New York. Cari frequently calls on her childhood friend, Detective Genevieve Viacorte, to assist in her sleuthing. Cari is determined and relentless in her search for the truth. The female duo play off of each other’s strengths to solve murders and put the bad guys behind bars. The series begins with “Chasing the Edge” which released in July of 2022. The newest book in the series launches on July 31, 2025, with book 7: “Identity Unveiled”. All of my books are available online in multiple formats, including audio, paperback, and e-book. If you’re in the Austin area, be sure to stop by Meridian in Buda on August 11, 2025 between 5-6:30 to get your book signed!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were consistency, creativity, and open-mindedness. When writing a novel, you really need to work on it a little bit each day. I usually take weekends off, but adding a chapter or two to the book each day keeps the storyline fresh in your mind. I make a habit of leaving myself notes at the end of the document each day to remind myself of my train of thought. This helps me avoid having to reread what I’ve already written before I start writing again the next day. Creativity is obviously a key component of fiction writing. No one is going to finish a boring book unless it’s for a school class perhaps. Finally, it’s important to have an open mind and an adventurous spirit when you’re writing. It’s okay to fail. Your first draft might not hit home; be open to making changes or deleting sections that don’t jive with the rest of your story. Take advice from friends who are willing to read your work in an advanced stage. Teamwork makes the dream work! I have a friend who reads all of my manuscripts before I send them to my editor. She finds typos I’ve missed and gives me feedback regarding the general flow of the book. Speaking of editors, it’s essential to use an editor. You won’t find all of your errors on your own. Having a fresh set of eyes to review your writing will make your book better. Editors not only find typos, they are trained to assess the writing style and reading ease of your book. Above all, don’t give up. Believe in yourself and your creative idea for a novel. All of the hard work will feel so rewarding when you hold the published book in your hand the first time.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge for an “indie” (independent) author is getting people to buy and read their books. While I’m part of a co-op called Indies United Publishing House, I still do a lot of my own marketing and advertising. I create book trailers, ads using Canva, and posts on social media. I also created my own website by watching lots of videos and reading a few articles too. Almost everything I do is DIY (do-it-yourself) rather than paying a professional for it. As someone who is naturally creative, I design all my book covers. I try to minimize overhead costs for each book. I take advantage of free entrepreneur seminars to improve my marketing strategies. It’s a constant challenge, but as with everything, consistency is important.

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