The Inside Scoop
Select a category
Writing Wisdom
-
June 6, 2018Swoon Author Jennifer Honeybourn's Editing Update: A Learning Process
I love a shiny new idea, but first drafts are not super easy for me. This is probably because I... -
June 4, 2018Setting the Scene: 3 Tips for Researching a Location
“Write what you know” isn’t always the best advice, but “write what you know of” usually is. When it comes... -
May 31, 2018Swoon Author Danielle Banas' Editing Update: An Actual Emotional Rollercoaster
This was my family and friends when I told them I had received my first edit letter: “What?” they said,... -
May 24, 2018Swoon Author Shani Petroff: Based on Another True Story
I love taking something that happened to me, twisting it around, adding new elements, taking out a bunch of others,... -
May 23, 2018Swoon Author SM Koz's Editing Update: Embrace the Delete Button
I should start by pointing out that I know I’m an oddball when it comes to editing. I actually really... -
May 17, 2018
Swoon Author Shani Petroff: Love for My Plus-Size Protagonist
I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my life. Yet, as I was setting out to work on Airports,... -
May 11, 2018Swoon Author Alex Evansley's Editing Update: Rewriting vs. Revising, and Other Real Talk from the LSTT Editorial Process
There’s nothing quite like the moment you write “The End” on a work in progress. Whether it’s a short story,... -
May 10, 2018Swoon Author Karole Cozzo: 7 Tips for Handling Constructive Criticism
Constructive criticism and writing go together like new shoes and blisters, nature hikes and poison ivy, three frozen mango margaritas... -
May 8, 2018Mapping the Jungle: An Editor’s Pitch for Outlines
I thought I’d drop by today and chat a bit about my love for outlines, and why I think they... -
May 2, 2018Swoon Author Jen Wilde's Editing Update: The Joy of Editing
I have a lot of old stuff sitting in my garage. I know that seems like a strange way to... -
April 27, 2018Swoon Author Sandy Hall: The Struggle with Inspiration Drought
Lately, I’ve been experiencing something super frustrating: I’ve been dealing with an “inspiration drought.” I haven’t had a decent story... -
April 19, 2018From the Swoon Squad: Don't Give Up (Part III)
Hey there, Swooners, We are so excited to welcome three new authors into the Swoon family! There were SO many... -
April 13, 2018Swoon Author Alyssa Brandon: Characters – To Have, to Hold, to Hate?
Should you love or hate your characters? Are their your friends? Or are they just tools to get your story... -
April 11, 2018Swoon Author Shani Petroff's Editing Update: Setting the Tone
When I wrote Romeo & What’s Her Name I included a lot of physical comedy. The main character Emily would... -
April 5, 2018Swoon Author Karole Cozzo's Editing Update: A Few Points to Consider
Hey gang! I’m happy to be checking in with the Swoon Reads community today and giving you some updates on... -
March 29, 2018
Swoon Author Alyssa Brandon: The Idea vs. The Process
Whenever I tell people about having written a book and that I’m working on another one, one of the first... -
March 27, 2018
Write in the Now: Plot vs. Backstory
Up your stakes and make sure your plot is moving forward. -
March 23, 2018Swoon Author L.E. DeLano: Ask Yourself (And Your Character) “What Did You Learn?”
I will confess right now that I wasn’t sure how I was going to end Dreamer. I knew where I... -
March 21, 2018Swoon Author Sandy Hall's Editing Update: A Draft to Remember
We, as in authors, talk a lot about planning, writing, revising, and editing. Which makes sense; we devote our lives... -
March 7, 2018Swoon Author Alyssa Brandon's Editing Update: Different in a Good Way
For me, editing was the most time consuming bit of writing Bound to You. Finishing the first draft was easy... -
March 1, 2018Swoon Author Kelly Zekas: From Acting Like a Writer to Becoming One
When I was six I was a fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream. I didn't have much to do, but...