Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

When Writer Meets Reader: Intent and Interpretation of Theme

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Theme's the Thing: 5 Points Themes are the universal lessons and abstract ideas that we draw from our own experiences when writing and creating art, as well as when we read, and interpret art. If a friend asks you, "What's your novel about?" you can tell them about the plot, or you can describe the theme. Theme is the main idea, the concept or message in the story. I recently found my notes … [Read more...]

Strangers on the Bus: Public Transit in Lake Effect Snow

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Working in Cleveland in the 70s Powered by a phenomenon called Lake Affect snow, northern Ohio can transform to a hellish snowscape in mere hours. Winters there aren't just challenging, they are relentless and unforgiving, and many are etched in my memory. I went to art school and worked in downtown Cleveland in the seventies. My first job was in the art department at Gallo Displays, and … [Read more...]

When Social Media Hurts: Finding Balance and Protecting Your Peace

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The danger in chasing approval Social media can be a wonderful place. It connects us to friends, readers, fellow creatives, and communities we might never have found otherwise. But it can also sabotage us when we let it feed our need for constant validation. Have you ever found yourself checking back to see how many likes your post or reel received? Or wondering, “Why did that person's reel … [Read more...]

Break Writer’s Block: 5 Ways Reading Can Rekindle Creativity

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What are your writing goals for 2025? If you're feeling mired in winter blues or post-holiday blahs, maybe you're finding it hard to get back into your groove. Whenever I struggle with my writing, I read. Immersive reading can be a powerful tool to combat writer’s block by stimulating creativity and breaking those mental barriers. Here’s how it works: 1. Reading Expands Your … [Read more...]

Books! 2024 Wrap-up from favorites to the ho-hum

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My wrap-up includes literary fiction, memoir and historical fiction Top favorites include Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: Witty, unexpected, engaging, and so entertaining; Bonnie Jo Campbell's The Waters: A brutal and compelling novel of three generations of strong women living in rural Michigan; and Susan E. Wadds' What the Living Do, with a tough but flawed narrator who … [Read more...]