Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

Dress like a Poet for National Poetry Month

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The Red Scarf: A dear poet friend laughed as she told me the story of feeling a little chilly went she went to the gym. She wore her red scarf while working out, just until she warmed up. Someone who knew her said something like, "Oh, you poets. Always have to look different," as if wearing a red scarf was only an affectation. How pretentious to wear a scarf in a gym. Only a poet. So my … [Read more...]

Writing Morally Grey Characters: Tips from crime writer Charles Salzberg

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Please enjoy this guest post written by Charles Salzberg, journalist, teacher and author of detective and crime fiction, as well as numerous works of nonfiction: Rather than risk boredom, why not have fun writing about a law-breaking jerk instead? Squeaky clean: As a child, unlike my younger brother who always seemed to be in some kind of trouble, I was the “good son.” From his school … [Read more...]

Writers, Respect What You Do

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As if... When I was an aspiring writer, I didn’t always prioritize my work. One conversation changed that. Years ago, I told my therapist I often felt guilty when I was writing. He drew back as if startled. "Why?" he asked, frowning. I shrugged, said "Like I should be cleaning or something…” and then stopped. I was about to say "more constructive." As if my writing isn't … [Read more...]

Totally Shredded: Revisiting a favorite food from childhood

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The Routine: In the morning, I prepare our older dog Clementine’s food– a special low protein kibble with a pump of fish oil and a sprinkling of tartar-removal flakes. Then I use a small syringe to shoot her liquid bacon-flavored medication, .5 ML, into a Pill Pocket, a big chewy doggy gummy with a hole in it. I tuck two and a half pills inside, too. I give her the Pill Pocket outside. Her … [Read more...]

The book I never wanted to write

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Sleepwalker: I'm proud to announce publication of my fifth poetry chapbook, Sleepwalker. This collection contains the poems I never wanted to write, the ones I fought against writing for years. These poems speak to the painful healing after my eldest son’s suicide. They unearth the heartbreak of motherhood and deep loss. They embrace who my son was and what he will never … [Read more...]