Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

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

July 10, 2025 16 mins

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, yo...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 trickies...

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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 M...

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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 vagu...

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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 do...

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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 impro...

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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 st...

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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&apo...

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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 strug...

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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: ...

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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 exciteme...

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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 finish...

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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 bli...

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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 write...

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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 ...

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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...

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“I want to write a dual timeline novel, but I’m struggling to weave the storylines together. Help!” 👈 This is something I hear from writers all the time. And while it’s true that writing a story with dual timelines presents its own set of challenges, the possibilities are often worth the effort.

Tune in to this episode to learn the essential elements that make dual timeline novels work, common mistakes to avoid, and practical writi...

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