Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

10 Character Tips Every Novelist Should Know

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Create compelling characters Understand that this takes time and work When I was drafting Love and Other Incurable Ailments, I had to determine why a woman would give up her life and her job and move to another state in pursuit of a man she didn't know--it wasn't enough that Serenity was simply unhappy or lonely. It had to make sense to the reader. I also wanted Serenity to be a … [Read more...]

Not Everyone is Going to Like You

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For the camera and beyond: When I was a girl, my father would often encourage me to clown around for the camera. We enjoyed being silly together, but I soon learned to enjoy acting out. In this picture of me with my Raggedy Ann doll, I distinctly remember my father telling me to act surprised about something. It strikes me as strangely unnatural, but he laughed. I'm sure he loved … [Read more...]

What, Why, How: Poet Karin Hoffecker on her poetry and family

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What: My poetry is grounded in both external and internal landscapes. I have always been fascinated with the visual arts and nature—they are often subjects that appear in my poems. The poetry I write, honoring my internal map, is the result of exploring deep emotions shaped by experiences of loss and grief. Losing my adult son to a sudden and unexpected pulmonary embolism and both my parents … [Read more...]

Dinner with Elmore Leonard (sort of)

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A side of grits and a portrait of the Dickens of Detroit The specials at a local restaurant the other evening were called "A Taste of New Orleans," and my Blackened Twin Filets Diablo with jumbo shrimp, tomato butter, white wine, herbs and white cheddar grits didn't disappoint. Far more interesting, however was the portrait of one of my favorite local writers, the late Elmore Leonard, which … [Read more...]

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...]