Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

Beyond the Smile: Elevating Character and Emotions in Writing

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Don't let a smile do all the lifting! One of the steps I take when editing a manuscript is search for particular words, such as smile. Every word matters especially when it comes to character's gestures and facial expressions. I want to avoid stale or easy gestures such as shrugs, eye rolls and angry glares. A smile alone shouldn’t be left to do all your heavy lifting. What exactly does that … [Read more...]

Yous got the last laugh: How my husband’s favorite pronoun was vindicated

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Who are yous really? The first time I heard my husband refer to the people in our household collectively as "yous" I laughed out loud. I'd never heard the word. He insisted it was a real word, and, furthermore, said he'd been using it all his life. Much to his own peril. Apparently, he also used yous at work. His coworkers thought it was hilarious. He didn't care. He kept you guysusing … [Read more...]

What, Why, How: author Kate Woodworth on writing climate change

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What: Little Great Island tells the story of a small Maine island community needing to reinvent itself in the face of climate change. Told from the point of view of a handful of community members, the story focuses on Harry Richardson, a recent widower and a long-time summer visitor, who wants to sell his family home so he can escape painful memories. Island-born Mari McGavin, on the other … [Read more...]

Magical Realism: Blurring the Lines Between Reality and Wonder

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Why veer into magic realism for a third novel? Magic realism is a literary style that blends the real and the fantastic, presenting extraordinary elements as a natural part of everyday life. Unlike pure fantasy, which creates entirely new worlds, magic realism is rooted in reality, often featuring ordinary settings and characters who accept the magical as normal. Author Susan Sage's previous … [Read more...]

How Diversity in Literature and Teaching Strengthens America

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Missing Voices in High School Lit This post about teaching diversity comes from fellow writer, retired teacher and Detroiter John Jeffire, who graciously allowed me to share it here. As a young person studying American Literature in grade school, I was led to believe that the only literature produced in our country was written by white males. In high school, everything was basically … [Read more...]