Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

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 art, from literature to paintings to … [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...]

Speak without Shame: Sexual Assault

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TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains details which may be triggering to survivors of sexual assault. Admitting that you've been sexually assaulted isn't easy. The shame, the self blame, and the humiliation over being violated runs deep. For some, it's easier to pretend it didn't happen, until something jolts your memory and it all comes rushing back. Was it that bad? For me, the trigger was … [Read more...]

Frustration, or Lost in Translation

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When imagination is bigger than the child It’s important to teach children that when you reach a dead end, it’s okay to set the project aside. Sometimes the solution comes when you’re not even looking for it. Dead ends aren’t failures—they are pauses. Step back, breathe, return later. The process matters more than instant answers. The other day, my seven-year old granddaughter and I … [Read more...]