The Writing Life Archives - Page 2 of 13

How to finish the damn book: Advice from Jacquelyn Mitchard

October 30, 2025 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

If it was easy, maybe we’d all have a book Did you know 97% of books started are never finished? One year after I finished and published my first book, I began to worry I’d never finish book … Continue reading >>

Using Fiction to Process Real-Life Tragedy and Family Secrets

June 30, 2025 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

The emotional and creative journey behind In the Context of Love—a novel inspired by unspoken truths. How do we make sense of tragedy? We live every day knowing that bad things happen--on a … Continue reading >>

10 Character Tips Every Novelist Should Know

May 19, 2025 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

Create compelling characters Doing this takes time and work When I was drafting Love and Other Incurable Ailments, I had to determine why a woman would give up her life and her job and move to … Continue reading >>

Beyond the Smile: Elevating Character and Emotions in Writing

April 14, 2025 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

Don't let a smile do all the lifting! One of the steps I take when editing a manuscript is search for particular words, such as smile. Every word matters especially when it comes to character's … Continue reading >>

When Writer Meets Reader: Intent and Interpretation of Theme

February 10, 2025 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

Theme's the Thing: 5 Points Themes are the universal lessons and abstract ideas that we draw from our own experiences when writing and creating art, as well as when we read, and interpret art. If a … Continue reading >>

Break Writer’s Block: 5 Ways Reading Can Rekindle Creativity

January 13, 2025 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

What are your writing goals for 2025? If you're feeling mired in winter blues or post-holiday blahs, maybe you're finding it hard to get back into your groove. Whenever I struggle with my writing, I … Continue reading >>

Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line