He made his literary debut in 1878 with the book En digters drøm, published under the pen name Simon de Vita.

Here he met his future wife, and he married Wenche von der Lippe Nilsen in 1887.

[2] This book also included the story "Berre ein hund", which had been published in the literary and cultural magazine Nyt Tidsskrift in 1885.

[2] His poem "Vi vil os et Land" from 1894, included in the poetry collection Bersøglis- og andre Viser from 1895, became a popular song with a melody composed by Christian Sinding.

[2] Literary historian Kristian Elster characterized Bersøglis- og andre Viser as Sivle's most outstanding poetry collection.

[6] Sivle suffered from various personal problems during his life, including nerve troubles, alcohol abuse and financial straits.