Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

A rainy day, a bookstore, and the woman who knew exactly what you needed

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Author’s note: This post was first published in 2011. I’m revisiting it after learning that Gee Gee Rosell, the owner of Buxton Village Books, has passed away. She left a lasting impression on me then—and in the years since, through her continued support of my work and her quiet devotion to stories. This essay also appears in The Gee Gee Book, published by Beach Glass Books. When the Weather … [Read more...]

Switchback Time: How to Play with Structure in Your Novel

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Time, Tension, and the Art of Story Structure Think of time in a story as an escalator. Where does your character step on—and where do they get off? On each floor, the world will look a little different. In fiction, switchback time happens when a character is blocked by something in the past they must confront. To get a clear image of your novel’s structure, it can help to first write a … [Read more...]

Is your Novel Plot or Character Driven?

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When I was querying agents and publishers, I found this distinction incredibly helpful, if only because deciding what to highlight in a query letter can feel impossible. Understanding whether your novel is plot driven or character driven makes the job much easier. Here’s why: Plot-Driven Novels: If your novel is plot driven, a query that spends too much time describing your characters’ … [Read more...]

Why Readers Quit Books—and What Writers Can Learn

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What's the craziest reason you stopped reading a book? Three pages in and the female narrator is getting hot and sweaty in a dingy bathroom stall with a random guy while saying she's never done this kind of thing before. I didn't believe it. Credibility gone. It was a DNF (did not finish) for me. Have you ever quit a book for a crazy, or not-so-crazy reason? You’re not alone. I asked a group … [Read more...]

Blackout Poetry: Where Writing Meets Visual Art

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Blackout poetry is a creative blend of writing and visual art—and all you need to begin is imagination and a willingness to let go of logic. This art form welcomes everyone, including my engineer-minded husband and children. A friend once asked me if there are any guidelines. The best part is there aren’t any. There Are No Rules (Really) The words you choose don’t have to make logical … [Read more...]