Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
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.
Episodes
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: rew...
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...
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 tal...
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 disconn...
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 w...
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 l...
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—...
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 bre...
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 ...
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,...
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 wi...
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, rule...
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 correct...
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.
Developmenta...
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 author...
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 kno...
#206. Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One Year
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 ep...
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 fro...
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 episo...
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...
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