Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

Creating Community, One Chalkboard Message at a Time

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A coping mechanism that began in 2021: At the height of the pandemic, uncertainty filled the air. We searched for ways to cope, to connect, and to hold onto hope. For me, that came in the form of a simple chalkboard. Every month, I picked up my chalk and lettered a new message—sometimes uplifting, sometimes humorous, but always with the intent of bringing a little light to friends and strangers … [Read more...]

This Self-Checkout Queen Needs a Crown

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Adulting like a pro I just self-checked a boatload worth of groceries at Kroger, and I deserve a trophy. At the very least, I should get a discount and key to the break room. Do you know how hard it is to coordinate that much food without the system accusing you of theft? You have to scan every item just right. You have to look up every vegetable. And not once did I need help finding a bar … [Read more...]

Small Talk: the Social Ritual We Pretend Not to Need

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Are we really doing small talk wrong? The ads on Instagram for coaching people in conversation so you don't sound "weak"—i.g. never ask “how’s it going” or “what’s new”—make me wonder if I'm talking small talk wrong. I'm not alone in stumbling through small talk. I attend a yearly benefit where I know one couple fairly well and a handful of people only marginally. Those once-a-year … [Read more...]

What, Why, How: Jan Rydzon on writing a small-town mystery, female sleuths, and the secrets that bind us

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What: I write small-town mysteries and suspense, featuring female amateur sleuths. Most of my stories grow out of family dramas and close relationships, where the tension between secrets and loyalties fuels the stories. I’ve always loved elegant old houses and mansions, and they often become characters in my books, but in Misery Cove, a rundown lakeside motel drives the action. My novels … [Read more...]

Kegels, Kenny G, and the Curse of Bad Waiting Room Music

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The music was worse than the dentist: Recently, I spent a half-hour doing Kegel exercises at the dentist, not to distract myself from the cleaning, but from the awful music. This wasn’t soothing spa music, oldies, or top 40 fluff. It was some contemporary country crap—and I’m really sorry if that’s your jam, but I found it intolerable—monotone and formulaic. Each song sounded the same, like … [Read more...]