Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

A Family Not Forgotten

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It didn't seem that long ago that the grave markers of this family of four in Mount Avon Cemetery were bestowed with American flags, bouquets of flowers, miniature plastic soccer balls, dolls and butterflies, and the grass around them had been trimmed and tidy. The colorful and playful decorations had drawn me to look closer. I remember being startled to read that Jacob … [Read more...]

Book Launch Party Photos

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This was the night I'd dreamed of for so long - my book launch party. In the Context of Love is published and released into the world! It's a time to celebrate, but also an opportunity to gather my friends, neighbors, and family together to say thank you. Writing is a solitary act, but I couldn't have done it without their  support and encouragement. The metro Detroit area has an incredible … [Read more...]

Authors: the Truth About Reader Reviews

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My book is officially published, and readers are posting reviews. As a new author, I was excited and nervous, and hopefully prepared for reader reviews. All reader reviews--good and bad. The Good, The Bad, and the So-so When you are finally published, be ready. Because if someone loves a book, it's almost certain that someone else hates it. It's the nature of … [Read more...]

Book Promotion for Anxious Authors

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Writers are introverts. We have to be dragged out of the house to socialize. Promotion of our books and ourselves as writers is something we find really difficult. So what is an author supposed to do? Finding the answer was my goal at AWP 2015, before the debut of my novel, In the Context of Love.  I found several great tips on book promotion that are timeless, and not that difficult, even for an … [Read more...]

How to Contrast Setting with Emotion

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Contrast emotion with setting in fiction This is a simple trick that can maximize any scene's emotional impact. A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton offers a great contrast between setting and emotion. The opening scene is in a bedroom in a Wisconsin farmhouse on a brilliant Monday morning in June. Alice lies in bed and contemplates her perfect life … [Read more...]