Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

Why Rush to Publish?

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You wrote a book! You want it published! Now! Congratulations! I've felt that same excitement. However, I urge you to resist that impulse to self-publish right away. I know you're excited and, trust me, I know time is the downside of traditional publishing. It can take years. First you have to query agents. That can take a year or more of submitting your … [Read more...]

Dialogue Tags – Don’t Get Crazy

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Nancy Pontificated I'll never forget the time a line of dialogue in a Nancy Drew book that ended ...Nancy pontificated. I laughed out loud. Everyone knows Nancy Drew has strong opinions. She's always pontificating! Why would the author need to interject herself into the dialogue with such a dialogue tag as pontificated?! Said would have easily done the job, and I could have … [Read more...]

Nickels, Pickles and Chewing Gum

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Getting my 8 year-old granddaughter to memorize something to exercise her brain wasn't my intention, but it sure turned out to be fun for us both. Choo'n Gum As I drove her to my house for a sleepover, we heard this song with the silliest lyrics ever on Kids Place Live. Choo'n Gum, sung by Teresa Brewer with Jimmy Lytell & the Dixieland All Stars, was a Billboard … [Read more...]

Dining in the Dark – A Sensory Experience

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When my husband first told me he wanted to eat at NOX Dine in the Dark restaurant in Singapore, I thought he was crazy. Dining in the dark? Imagine eating a three course meal in total blindness. Why would anyone want to do that? Heightened expectations Well, I'm so glad I did. It turned out to be educating in many ways. NOX was the highlight of our holiday, … [Read more...]

Easter Eggs in Trees – Traditions

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My daughter looked puzzled when I told her I wanted to make Easter Egg Trees with the grandkids. "What's an Easter Egg tree?" And "Who ever came up with the idea of hanging eggs from trees?" I do wonder indeed! Sign of new life Apparently the origins have been lost, but the tradition may have begun in Germany when eggs, being signs of new life, were hung on the … [Read more...]