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Fiction Writing Made Easy
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.
Fiction Writing Made Easy
#73: The 4 Phases of Editing: How to Revise Your Novel
In today's episode, we’re going to talk about how to edit your messy first draft without slipping into overwhelm. Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:50] The very first thing you should do when you finish a first draft
[04:15] A quick overview of the four editing phases, and how breaking your edits down into these phases will help you reduce overwhelm.
[05:45] Phase 1: The “Story Level” edit
[09:25] Phase 2: The “Scene Level edit”
[13:35] How your editing plan might change depending on your publishing goals
[14:30] Phase 3: The “Page Level edit”
[16:20] Phase 4: The “Sentence Level edit”
[19:35] My answer to writers who ask me, “Can I do these phases out of order?” (spoiler alert: my answer is almost always no)
[20:00] FAQ: Is there a way to go through all four phases faster?
[20:45] Key points and episode recap
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Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Episode Freebie: Your Next Steps DIY Editing Checklist
- The Spun Yarn Beta Reading Service
- ProWritingAid
- Hemingway Editor
- Grammarly
- Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips
Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.
👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
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