What's in Your Swipe File?

I love swipe files. In my case it's more of a combination of a swipe pile and collection of swipe bookmarks, but anyway....

If you're not familiar with swipe files, it's basically a collection of information that you can use for inspiration in your writing. Here are some of the things I keep in my swipe file:

  • Magazine headlines if I think the format is interesting and worth using as a model at some point in the future.
  • Articles on topics I plan to write about, which I can use as source material or just a reminder to cover the topic (like bookmarking an article on a writer I may want to profile in the future).
  • Links to things I may want to feature or review, such as books, software programs, or even Web templates or blog plugins.

That covers the bulk of what I keep around to inspire me when I'm having a tough time writing. What do you keep in your swipe file?

Profile image for Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern is a professional blogger, freelance business writer, consultant, and indie author. She runs numerous websites & blogs including All Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Pros, NakedPR, and Kiss My Biz.

Jenn has 25 years' experience as a professional writer and editor and over 20 years' experience in marketing and PR (working heavily in digital PR, online marketing, social media, SEO, new media, and thought leadership publication). She also has 19 years' professional blogging and web publishing experience (including web development) and around 18 years of experience as an indie author / publisher.

Jenn also writes fiction under multiple pen names and is an Active member of the Horror Writers Association.

Subscribe to the All Freelance Writing newsletter to get freelance writing updates from Jenn in your inbox.

Get More Content Like This in Your Inbox

Did you enjoy this post? If so, please subscribe to the All Freelance Writing newsletter where you'll be notified of new blog articles and receive subscribers-only content.

Subscribe now.


2 thoughts on “What's in Your Swipe File?”

  1. My swipe file is basically a collection of quotes and topics I want to write about in the future. I also keep sources — links to clippings, pics, etc. — which I could peruse at a latter time. Thing is, I add to my swipe file constantly but haven’t exactly made anything off of it!

    Reply

Leave a Comment