This week YA Author Olivia Swindler took over our Twitter as a part of our weekly Thursday Twitter Takeover. Olivia Swindler is the author of Cynthia Starts a Band (See YEM’s interview of Olivia Swindler here.) See highlights from the takeover below.
A little about me–I just moved back to the US after living in France for five years, my favorite co-worker is my dog, Luna (named for Luna Lovegood, of course!), and when I'm not writing, I work in communications #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/7XI9lUS2wR
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I wrote my first book, Cynthia Starts a Band, during the first COVID lockdown in France. #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
Before writing the book, I spent a lot of time thinking about what makes us who we are and who we become when the world’s not watching and that was what inspired the story! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I have always loved music, and having my main character be a musician felt like the perfect backdrop for my story #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
Researching got to be a little tricky–I was trying to look up a typical tour schedule, and because of COVID, everything had been canceled, I didn’t think about that when I started googling… #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
One of my favorite parts of the book is the multiple timelines–I think it is so helpful in understanding someone’s perspective to see it from various points of view. I loved exploring Eleanor’s (the main character) life before and after she left her band #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I am currently reading Palm Beach by Mary Adkins…what are you reading? #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
My biggest piece of advice to someone who wants to be a writer is simple–take time each day to write. I set a goal to write a little each day, and then when we went into lockdown, I already had the habit! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I write using a lot of dialogue, which comes from my deep love of sitcoms. I love quick dialogue and seeing how characters communicate with each other. What is your favorite tv show or movie? #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I love Friends, but I am also a huge fan of Schitt’s Creek and Brooklyn 99. I usually get hooked on a TV show because I fall in love with the characters; books are the same way! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
When I write, I normally I start with an idea for the plot, and then I feel like I get to know the characters along the way. It is fun; it feels like getting to know a new friend #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
What are some fictional characters you wish you could be friends with in real life? #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I read a lot. Not only in the genre I write, but I think it is helpful to read diversely. It is so helpful to see something from another angle or worldview! It makes my world bigger and helps me pick up on writing techniques I might not have used! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
Eleanor has a really close relationship with her cousin; this was inspired by my cousins, who I consider to be some of my best friends #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I wanted to write a hopeful story about starting over; it can feel scary to try to find ourselves again after something traumatic has happened, but I think there are pieces of us that are true about us no matter what #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
I didn’t want Eleanor to have someone else step in and solve her problem, she is surrounded by amazing people, but at the end of the day, she is the one who decides to take the first step towards getting her life back #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
The book contains a few songs, most of which I had written before I wrote the book. I am not musical (though I can play the ukulele), but it was fun to pretend I could perform them in writing this book! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
My (unrealistic) dream job is to be a musician, but since I lack all of the talent required to do so, I consider being able to write about music a great second option! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
That’s all for me. Thank you guys so much! Cynthia Starts a Band is available now! #YAauthorTakeover
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) April 28, 2022
