Overview
Fiction Writing Made Easy is your go-to podcast for practical, no-fluff tips on how to write, edit, and publish a novel—from first draft to finished book. Hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo, this show breaks down the fiction writing process into clear, actionable steps so you can finally make progress on your manuscript.
Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking to sharpen your skills, each episode offers insights on novel writing, story structure, character development, world-building, editing, and publishing. Savannah also shares mindset tips, writing routines, and revision strategies to help you stay motivated and finish your novel with confidence.
If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place:
- How do I write a novel without experience?
- What’s the best way to structure a story that works?
- How do I develop strong characters and build immersive worlds?
- How do I edit or revise my first draft?
- When is my book ready to publish?
- What are my self-publishing and traditional publishing options?
New episodes drop weekly to help you write a novel you're proud of—and get it into readers’ hands.
244 Episodes
If you've been working on your novel for months—or even years—without making real progress, this episode will help you understand why. Maybe you've started multiple books but never finished one. Maybe you sit down to write and have no idea what to work on. Or maybe you keep rewriting the same chapters over and over, hoping clarity will finally come. Here's what I want you to know: this isn't a talent problem or a motivation problem. It's a process problem—and process problems are fixable. In ...
Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2026
Learn how a self-proclaimed perfectionist wrote a 114,000-word first draft in just 88 days—while working full-time and without finding more hours in the day. Poornika didn't have endless hours to write. She had two hours a night after work, some longer weekend sessions, and a chronic illness that sometimes forced her to step away completely. And yet, she finished her novel in 88 days—and went on to sign with her dream agent. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Poornika Kakkanaiah, a for...
Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2026
If you've been trying to write a novel with a full-time job, family, and everything else life throws at you, this episode is for you. Maybe you squeeze writing into nights or weekends. You may start strong, then lose momentum when things don't go as planned. Or perhaps you keep telling yourself you’ll take your writing seriously when you have more time. In this episode, I’m sharing five practical shifts to prioritize your novel and start making steady progress, even when your time is limited ...
Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2026
The best writing advice sticks because it changes how you approach the page. In this special year-end episode, I’m counting down the top 10 most impactful writing tips from Fiction Writing Made Easy in 2025, pulled from this year's most listened-to episodes. These are the lessons writers kept coming back to. The ones that helped them stop second-guessing, get unstuck in the middle, and finally make real progress on their drafts. In the episode, you’ll hear me talk about things like: [07...
Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2025
Learn how a busy parent finished a novel by following a clear roadmap that made it possible to pause, return, and keep moving forward. Between raising four kids, navigating pregnancy and newborn life, and juggling everything that comes with being a busy parent, Madi didn't exactly have ideal writing conditions. And yet, she finished her novel. In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Madi, a former Notes to Novel student, to talk about what it actually looked like to write a book in the midd...
Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2025
What if the reason you haven't started writing your novel has nothing to do with how much you know? “I’m not ready yet” is one of the most common things I hear from writers. And on the surface, it makes sense. You want to feel prepared before starting something as big as writing a novel. But not feeling ready usually has very little to do with knowledge. More often, the root cause is a lack of clarity. In this bonus episode, I’m sharing stories from three writers who spent months, and e...
Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025
Unlock the clarity you need to write smoothly, avoid constant restarts, and finish a stronger first draft in less time. If you've ever tried to draft quickly and ended up with pages that feel unsalvageable, this episode will help you understand why that happens and what to do instead. You'll learn what makes fast drafting possible, how clarity speeds up your process, and why a little prep work often saves months of rewriting. You'll also hear how my writing students used this approach t...
Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025
Discover why “I’m not ready yet” is a fear-driven mindset and learn how to take small, confident steps that move your novel forward. So many writers get trapped in the feeling that they need more time, more research, or more clarity before they can truly start their first draft. And on the surface, that sounds reasonable. But most of the time, “I’m not ready yet” is a sign that you're scared to make the wrong choice, afraid to write something imperfect, or petrified you won't live up to your ...
Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025
Discover the mindset shifts to break out of analysis paralysis, choose progress over perfection, and build your novel layer by layer until it's complete. Feeling stuck writing your novel? You're not alone. Most writers think they're struggling because they don't have enough time, talent, or discipline. But more often than not, the real issue is actually mindset. In fact, it's the root cause of stuckness: rewriting the same chapters, second-guessing every decision, or trying to fix everything ...
Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025
Discover five practical line editing strategies that sharpen your prose, strengthen emotional clarity, and make each sentence more purposeful on the page. Line editing can feel intimidating, especially if you're not sure where to begin or how to make meaningful improvements at the sentence level. And if you've ever tried refining lines before your scenes are clear and working, you know how frustrating the process can be. In today’s episode, I’m joined by three brilliant book coaches and edito...
Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025
Learn how to build a focused, authentic author platform to connect with readers early, grow your visibility, and create lasting momentum for your book launch. In this episode, I’m joined by Shelby Leigh, bestselling author of four poetry books (with over 60,000 copies sold!) and the founder of Marketing by Shelby, where she's helped more than 8,000 authors and creatives learn how to market their books with ease. Shelby and I talk about how to start building your author platform before your bo...
Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025
Discover why clarity (not secrecy) is the key to keeping your readers engaged, curious, and emotionally invested in your story. Writers often think suspense means withholding information, but what if the opposite were true? In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel David Wallace, author, writing teacher, and founder of the annual Escape the Plot Forest Summit, to discuss why holding back details can leave readers confused or disconnected rather than curious. Daniel explains how sharing the right ...
Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025
Learn how to work with beta readers in a grounded, calm way so feedback feels useful, not overwhelming. You're nearing the finish line of your first draft, or maybe you've just crossed it. Either way, the question is the same… what happens next? Should you send it to friends? Hire an editor? Bury it in a drawer? Everyone keeps mentioning “beta readers,” but what does that actually mean? And how do you find the right ones without losing your mind or your confidence? In this episode, I’m breaki...
Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025
Ever wonder why some horror stories linger in your mind long after the lights go out? Jamie Nash reveals how structure (not jump scares or gore) creates true terror. In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Nash, screenwriter and author of Save the Cat! Writes Horror, the ultimate guide to creating “Monster in the House” stories that keep readers up at night. With over 25 years of experience writing and teaching horror (including films like V/H/S/2 and Lovely Molly), Jamie shares how to craft ter...
Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025
Learn the five key plot points that turn struggling manuscripts into finished novels—and exactly where they need to appear in your story structure. Have you ever felt like your story just isn't clicking, no matter how much effort you've put into it? Maybe you've polished your prose, developed your characters, and built an intriguing world—but something still feels off. In this episode, I sat down with Kristina Stanley—award-winning author, fiction editor, and founder of Fictionary—to uncover ...
Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025
Should you include a prologue or skip it? Here's how to make the right choice for your novel. Prologues are one of the most debated topics in fiction. Some literary agents warn against them, some readers skip them altogether, and yet many of the most beloved bestselling novels begin with one. The real question is this: Does your story need a prologue, or will Chapter One carry the weight on its own? In this episode, I'm breaking down when a prologue truly adds value, when it works against you...
Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2025
Learn how to write authentic, diverse characters without over-explaining or fearing criticism. Writing diverse characters can feel intimidating. You want to include different voices in your story, but worry about misrepresenting them. This leads many writers to either avoid diversity altogether or fall into the trap of over-explaining everything for a mainstream gaze, thereby diluting the power of their story. In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany Grimes, founder of Burgeon Design and Edit...
Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2025
Five book coaches reveal the editing secrets that turn messy first drafts into ready-to-publish manuscripts. Finishing a first draft is an incredible milestone, but what comes next can feel overwhelming. If you're staring at your messy pages and wondering how to even begin editing, you're not alone. The good news is that there is a way to move forward without spiraling into revision confusion or self-doubt. In this episode, I've invited five fiction writing coaches to share their best tips fo...
Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025
You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, but now you’re staring down the next challenge: how do you actually get it into readers’ hands? Marketing your book can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools—like AI—you can turn it into a streamlined, even fun, part of your creative process. In this episode, I’m breaking down five beginner-friendly ways AI can help you market your book and connect with readers, all while keeping your voice authentic and your ...
Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2025
Want to write a Romantasy that readers obsess over? Here’s how to deliver the tropes, intimacy, and magic readers crave. Romantasy is everywhere right now, and for good reason—it’s the perfect mix of swoony romance, epic fantasy, and unforgettable characters. But if you’ve ever thought, “How do I even start writing Romantasy?” you’re not alone. With so much hype around the genre, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the tropes, rules, and expectations. That’s why I sat down with Jenna Moreci,...
Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025
Discover the five essential strategies for mastering multiple-POV novels without confusing your readers. Have you ever wondered if you could write a multi-POV story like The Girl on the Train? Or how about The Six of Crows? The kind that pulls you into multiple characters' worlds so completely that you feel like you know each one personally? Writing a multiple-POV novel can create incredible depth and complexity when done correctly. But it can also turn your story into a confusing mess if you...
Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025
Discover the counterintuitive first draft editing approach that transforms messy manuscripts into page-turning novels readers love. Most fiction writers struggle with novel revision because they jump straight into editing their manuscript after finishing their first draft. This approach leads to endless rewrites, overwhelming confusion, and stories that get stuck in endless Chapter 1 revisions, never reaching completion. Developmental editor Alice Sudlow joins me to share her systematic appro...
Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025
Real writers share how they broke free from endless rewrites and abandoned drafts to finally finish their novels in just 90 days—using the exact framework that can unlock your story too. In this episode, I’m sharing real, inspiring stories from fiction writers who went from stuck and overwhelmed to finishing their novels using the exact framework I teach in Notes to Novel. You’ll hear from fantasy writers, contemporary fiction authors, and more—writers who were trapped in endless rewrites, dr...
Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025
Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve started writing, but something feels... off. The story isn’t coming together the way you imagined, and you’re not sure why. You’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this because they’re missing the foundational elements that make a story work. It’s not about writing beautiful sentences or having a brilliant idea—it’s about knowing how to build a story that readers can’t put down. In this episod...
Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2025
After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece that helped her finish writing not just one novel, but two books in a single year. Today I'm chatting with Gina Elizabeth, indie fantasy romance author of the Bonded in Blood series (and Notes to Novel graduate!), about her transformation from someone who couldn't finish a book to a published author of multiple books. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like: [04:00] Why she couldn't...
Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2025
The myth that plotting kills creativity is keeping countless discovery writers stuck in an endless cycle of abandoned manuscripts—but what if structure could actually set your creativity free? If you're a pantser convinced that outlining will ruin your creative process, or you've been discovery writing through multiple unfinished manuscripts, this episode will change how you think about story structure. You'll hear from three committed pantsers who thought outlining meant creative death. Kath...
Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2025
The myth of "writing free" is keeping talented writers stuck on Chapter One. Here's why story structure actually enhances creativity—and how to use it to finally finish your novel. You've been told that outlining kills creativity. That real writers don't need structure. That planning your novel will turn it into a formulaic mess. But what if everything you believe about story structure is wrong? In this episode, I'm revealing why the writers who resist structure often end up trapped in the sm...
Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2025
After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Neroli Lacey discovered that too much knowledge was actually keeping her stuck—until she learned to implement instead of accumulate. Today I'm chatting with Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer's Secret (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, International Book Awards Winner, and National Indie Excellence Award Winner), about how focusing on implementation over information finally helped her transform her me...
Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025
What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent or time? "I need to get this right before I move on" keeps aspiring authors stuck forever. But here's what I've discovered... Perfectionism isn't about having high standards. It's about fear. Fear of judgment, failure, or not being "good enough." In this episode, you'll hear from three reformed perfectionists who broke free from the endless editing trap and finished their novels. Meet Pornika, who dela...
Transcribed - Published: 24 July 2025
All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't finish your novel. Here's what's really happening—and the simple shift that changes everything. You know that browser folder labeled "Writing Advice"? The one with 147 articles about plot structure and 83 posts on character development? Yeah, that one. What if I told you it's actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, I'm exposing the "writing advice trap" that catches even the most dedicated writers. Aft...
Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2025
After years of rewriting the same sagging middle and juggling two confusing timelines, Kara Kentley discovered the romance structure secrets that transformed her messy draft into a published novel that sells daily. Today I'm chatting with Kara Kentley, contemporary romance author of Another Summer and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how learning genre expectations finally helped her finish the book she'd been struggling with for years. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like: ...
Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025
What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in your day? "I don't have time to write" might be the most common excuse that stops aspiring authors before they even start. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of writers… It’s not about how much time you have that matters. It’s about what you do with your limited time that counts. In this episode, you'll hear from three busy writers who had every legitimate reason to put their w...
Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2025
Feel stuck "finding time" to write your novel? You might be solving the wrong problem. Here's what's really going on—and what to do instead. Why does finding time to write feel impossible sometimes? We blame our busy schedules (and yes, that's definitely part of it). But there's something else lurking beneath the surface that stops your writing progress dead in its tracks. And it has a way of making you feel like you're failing at this whole writing thing. Which is so not true. In this episod...
Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025
What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything? Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write, but have absolutely no idea how to move forward. In this episode, you'll hear from three writers who faced this exact challenge in very dif...
Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025
Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you. If you've been dreaming about writing a novel but find yourself starting and stopping, getting stuck in the middle, or just staring at a blank page wondering where to even begin, you're not alone. Here's what I've noticed after working with hundreds of writers: the ones who actually finish their novels aren't more talented or creative than you. They've just learned to navigate around five specific...
Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025
Master character development with these five must-read books that transform static characters from boring to brilliant. You've created characters with compelling backstories, but somehow, they still feel... flat. They move through your plot but don't feel like real people. Here's the thing: character development is what makes readers fall in love with your story, not just read it. But it's also one of the trickiest parts of fiction writing. That’s why today, I'm sharing five books that have c...
Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025
Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing dreams. Receiving your first book review can be both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Whether it's a glowing five-star love letter or a brutal one-star takedown, reader reviews can send even the most confident authors into an emotional tailspin. I recently sat down with book coaches Emily Golden and Rachel May of Golden May Editing to discuss the challenge of negative reviews. Between ...
Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025
Master the art of creating irresistible, page-turning curiosity without confusing or frustrating your readers. Have you ever written what you thought was a brilliantly mysterious scene, only to have readers say they were completely lost? Or maybe you've struggled with knowing how much information to reveal and when? Here's what most writers don't realize: there's a fine line between being mysterious and being vague. And the writers who master evoking curiosity without being vague or confusing...
Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025
Discover the pros and cons of writing a novel from multiple POVs—including how to avoid the #1 mistake that kills multi-POV novels. Are multiple point-of-view characters right for your story? Will they create the kind of depth that keeps readers hooked, or will they just leave you with a tangled mess of voices that never quite click together? Writing a multi-POV novel is one of the most challenging approaches to storytelling. When done well, it creates a rich, immersive experience that ...
Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025
Master the fundamental building block of fiction writing with this one exercise that's helped writers break through years of stalled progress in just weeks. Ever wonder why some writers seem to improve rapidly while others stay stuck for years, despite writing every single day? 🤔 The difference isn't talent or luck—it's deliberate practice. Most aspiring novelists think that accumulating word count is the path to improvement. But here's the truth: without targeted practice and expert feedback...
Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025
Congratulations! You've finished writing your novel, and you've set your sights on self-publishing. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "Where do I start?" If you're feeling overwhelmed by the self-publishing process, you're not alone. Most first-time authors don't realize just how many decisions the self-publishing process involves. From choosing file formats and pricing strategies to designing covers and optimizing metadata—every choice you make directly impacts your...
Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025
Learn how dictation is your secret weapon for capturing story ideas, supporting overall health, and writing up to 3,000 words per hour. Are you curious about how dictation can improve your health and mobility, enhance your natural storytelling flow, and revolutionize your time management—even if you've tried and failed at it before? Well, then, you'll love this episode with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah is an author who's published 19 books—11 of which she wrote entirely through dictation. Sh...
Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025
Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn exactly what you can do to fix them. Congratulations, you finished your first draft! …But now what? If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed as you dive into editing your messy first draft, you're so not alone. As a developmental editor, I've reviewed hundreds of first drafts, and I've noticed that most new writers struggle with the same core issues—problems that have nothing to do with your wr...
Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025
Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your novel with clarity and confidence. Ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, excited about your story idea but utterly confused about how to describe its genre? 😩 This kind of uncertainty isn't just frustrating. It can have serious consequences for your writing, editing, and publishing journey. Here’s what you need to know: There are actually five different layers of genre that work ...
Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025
Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?" Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. Or maybe you’re just avoiding it altogether. If your excitement about finishing your draft has given way to editing anxiety, you're not...
Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025
Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fiction novel after decades of dreaming about it. Are you stuck with half-finished manuscripts or endlessly revising the same chapters? Does your story refuse to translate from your imagination to the page the way you envision it? You're not alone. The very perfectionism that drives you to write can become the biggest obstacle to finishing your novel. In this episode, Cheryl Arko shares her transform...
Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months. Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't know what you're doing." And then you're staring at a blinking cursor, completely frozen. Sound familiar? If you're nodding your head, you're not al...
Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025
Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans. Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱 That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist. Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone ...
Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025
Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magical, and challenging. But here's what you need to know right now: it's completely doable with the right approach. Something I've discovered after working with hundreds of writers is that finishing a novel requires more than just talent or a great idea. It takes the right mindset, practical tools, and a strategic approach that keeps you moving forward even when inspiration fades. Tune in to learn ...
Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025
Curious about writing books in more than one genre? Angela Haas shares a behind-the-scenes look at writing science fiction and romantic comedy! In today’s episode, we’re going behind the scenes of Angela Haas’s journey to hear how she self-published not one but two books in the last six months—one’s that’s a really fun space opera and the other that’s a romantic comedy. You’ll hear about her experience working with book editors, how she approaches the writing process as a die-hard pantser, an...
Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025
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