writing tips Archives - Page 6 of 6

A Story Best Told in Third Person

August 7, 2011 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

The struggle over POV is real Have you ever struggled over what point-of-view is going to work best for your narrator? I recently changed a novel manuscript from first person POV (I) to third … Continue reading >>

Nix on Outlines for Elmore Leonard

November 14, 2010 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

Here’s a totally different take on outlines from Elmore Leonard, from an interview for The Detroit Free Press. He never uses them If you aren’t familiar with Leonard, he is “The greatest crime writer … Continue reading >>

Bad Character: BAD MARIE

September 2, 2010 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

If you like dark stories with flawed narrators who go to frightening extremes, Bad Marie, by Marcy Dermansky is for you. As a writer, I learned much from studying the main character, Marie. After … Continue reading >>

How To Write a Hook

July 21, 2010 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

One Electrifying Sentence: A hook encapsulates a book in one electrifying sentence. It will grab the attention of agents, editors, publishers, bookstore managers and clerks, bloggers, journalists, … Continue reading >>

Cultural References in Writing

July 12, 2010 By Linda K Sienkiewicz

A Fabulous Plastic Hoopla: In my novel, the narrator’s mother has a “fabulous plastic hoopla" where the saleslady extols the virtues of Tupperware to fawning women drinking vodka-spiked punch with a … Continue reading >>

Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line