Linda K Sienkiewicz

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Books
  • Blog
  • News
  • Etc.
    • Press Kit
    • Events
    • Art
    • Publishing Credits and Awards
  • Social Media
  • Email

The Heart of Storytelling

June 17, 2019 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

Storytelling Image by Mystic Art Design on Pixabay

These fabulous “rules” (I prefer to call them writing tips) for storytelling were handed out at a recent conference, with credit to Pixar Story Artist Emma Coats. I refer to them often, so I thought I’d share.

Start storytelling!

Once upon a time there was _________. Every day, ________. Because of that, _________. Because of that, ________. Until finally, __________.

THEME: Trying for a theme is important, but you many not see what the
story is actually about till you write the end.

ENDINGS: Try writing the ending before you finish the middle. Endings are hard; get yours working upfront.

What’s the essence of your story? The most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build from there.

Why must you tell THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that feeds your story? That’s the heart of it.

Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in your head, like a perfect idea, you’ll never share it with anyone.

Focus on Characters

What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?

Give your characters opinions. Passive or malleable might seem likable, but it’s poison to the audience.

If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations.

What are the stakes? Give us a reason to root for the characters. Stack the odds against them.

Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are are cheating.

Most people admire characters for trying more than for their successes.

storytelling

Use crafting skills

When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up.

Pull apart or analyze the stories you like. What you like in them is a part of you; you’ve got to recognize it before you can use it.

Simplify. Focus. Combine characters if there are too many. Hop over detours. You may feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.

Discount the first thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th — get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself (and you’ll surprise your reader).

No work is ever wasted. If it’s not working, let go and move on–it’ll come back around to be useful later.

You have to learn the difference between doing your best and fussing. Story is testing, not refining.


Thank you for visiting.

Linda K. Sienkiewicz is a writer, poet, and artist:
Multi-finalist award winning novel In the Context of Love
Picture book Gordy and the Ghost Crab

Latest poetry chapbook: Sleepwalker

Connect with Linda: LinkTree

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: characters, crafting, fiction writing, storytelling, writing tips

Easter Eggs in Trees – Traditions

March 18, 2016 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

easter egg tree tradition

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 … Continue reading >>

Filed Under: Art & Crafting, It's Personal Tagged With: crafting, easter eggs, family, tradition

Advent Calendar Project

November 30, 2015 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

When my children were little we had a felt advent calendar with a tree and little plastic ornaments with velcro on the back. Each day you took an ornament from the calendar and stuck it on the tree. … Continue reading >>

Filed Under: Art & Crafting Tagged With: Christmas, craft, crafting, family

My Book as a Clutch Purse

October 12, 2015 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

  Since 2009, I've recycled hundreds of dictionaries, encyclopedias, art books, books on Shakespeare, Stephen King novels, and even Little Golden Books into clutch purses and handbags, to … Continue reading >>

Filed Under: Art & Crafting Tagged With: book purse, books, crafting

Frustration, or Lost in Translation

July 13, 2015 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

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 … Continue reading >>

Filed Under: Art & Crafting, It's Personal Tagged With: crafting, failure, family

What, Why, How: Debbie Ritter

May 1, 2015 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

WHAT? I am an artist who specializes in creating people and characters of all kinds from a unique combination of wood, wire, clay, and paint. WHY?  Since I enjoy reading and also people … Continue reading >>

Filed Under: What, Why, How Tagged With: crafting, sewing

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

About Linda

Award- winning writer, poet & artist. Cynical optimist. Super klutz. Corgi fan. Author of two novels, a children's picture book, and five poetry chapbooks. More here.

Follow this Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to Linda's blog...

Categories

  • Agents & Querying (7)
  • Art & Crafting (20)
  • Books (70)
  • Grief and Loss (19)
  • In the Context of Love (14)
  • It's Personal (229)
  • Publicity & Marketing (33)
  • What, Why, How (163)
  • Writing (111)

Let’s Connect!

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a giveaway, fun event, or an announcement!

Search this blog

Top Posts

  • Proper use of "I" and "Me" - Grammar Basics
  • Book Art: Crafting Paper Roses
  • Blackout Poetry - as creative as you want to get
  • Gen Z “Chaos Theory” Fashion
  • Quick Bicycle Helmet Visor How-to
  • What's so special about Howard Street?

Blog Tags

Agents anxiety art books children's books childrens books Christmas Clementine corgi crafting creativity Detroit dogs family fantasy Fiction grammar grief Historical Fiction humor idol talk loss love marketing memoir motivation Music mystery nonfiction novel pandemic poet poetry Publishing reading romance sewing sexual assault shame short stories social media storytelling suicide writing writing tips
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Recent News
  • Social Media

Recent Blog Posts

  • Romance rides high on the genre wave. Maybe.
  • 10 Character Tips Every Novelist Should Know
  • Not Everyone is Going to Like You
  • What, Why, How: Poet Karin Hoffecker
  • Dinner with Elmore Leonard (sort of)
  • Beyond the Smile: Elevating Character and Emotions in Writing
  • A (Mostly) Clean Challenge: Writing a Novel with Minimal Profanity
  • The entertaining side of Chat GPT

Blog Tags

Agents anxiety art books children's books childrens books Christmas Clementine corgi crafting creativity Detroit dogs family fantasy Fiction grammar grief Historical Fiction humor idol talk loss love marketing memoir motivation Music mystery nonfiction novel pandemic poet poetry Publishing reading romance sewing sexual assault shame short stories social media storytelling suicide writing writing tips

Search

Let’s Connect!

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a giveaway, important event, or publishing announcement!

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Books
  • Blog
  • News
  • Etc.
  • Social Media
  • Email

Copyright © 2025 · Website design & development by Little Leaf