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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
#78: Counting Down The Best Writing Tips From FWME In 2022
In this episode, I'm doing a little countdown of some of the best and most listened-to clips from the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast in 2022. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode:
[01:40] Tip #10: Test out your idea by writing a 1-2 sentence summary of your entire story, focusing on the main story thread.
[04:15] Tip #9: Create a scene-by-scene roadmap for your entire story (and then pressure-test it!) before you start writing.
[07:10] Tip #8: Write (and edit) your story in scenes, not chapters! This will help you stay on track and produce a well-paced story.
[10:40] Tip #7: Not everything that happens in a story needs to be dramatized in a full-blown scene. Sometimes, you can summarize!
[13:05] Tip #6: Establish your character’s mental and emotional state at the very beginning of each one of your scenes.
[16:45] Tip #5: When you finish writing a first draft, the very first thing you should do is take a break!
[19:50] Tip #4: Make sure something meaningful happens in your opening pages if you want to catch the reader’s attention!
[22:35] Tip #3: If you want to hook an agent’s attention with your query letter, don’t be vague when summarizing your story–be specific!
[25:15] Tip #2: If you want to get a traditional publishing deal, consider self-publishing (first) to gain experience and grow your audience.
[26:55] Tip #1: Don’t assume a traditional publisher will provide significant marketing help if you get a book deal.
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Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! Click here to follow now!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Click here to learn more about the First 5 Pages Workshop!
- Ep. 54 - How to Test Your Story Idea Before Writing
- Ep. 55 - 3 Tips for Writing a First Draft in 90 Days
- Ep. 56 - 5 Reasons Why Readers Stop Reading
- Ep. 58 - 10 Querying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Ep. 61 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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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