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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
#17: The 6 Scenes Every Horror Novel Needs
In today's episode, we're going to talk about the key scenes that every horror novel needs to have in order to work and to satisfy fans of the genre. Here's a preview of what's included:
[01:10] In horror novels, bad things happen to good people. There are life and death stakes, a monster intent on death and destruction, claustrophobic settings, and a major fight for survival.
[02:25] Readers choose horror novels because they want to feel the thrill and the terror of being in a life and death situation without actually being in danger in real life. And like all genre fiction, you have to deliver the emotional experience readers are looking for in order for your story to work.
[03:05] Obligatory scenes are the key events, decisions, and discoveries that move a protagonist along their journey from point A to point B. They help us writers craft a story that works AND a story that will deliver a specific emotional experience.
[04:55] Key scene #1: A scene that includes a threat from, or an attack by, the monster (or antagonist). This is the global inciting incident of your story.
[06:00] Key scene #2: A scene where the protagonist ignores a crucial warning and consequently ends up on a path that's headed directly toward the monster. This usually occurs near the end of act one.
[07:20] Key scene #3: A scene where your protagonist understands the true nature of the monster (or antagonist) and realizes what he or she is up against. This usually happens around the midpoint of a novel, or in the middle of act two.
[08:50] Key scene #4: A scene where your protagonist learns, does, or realizes something that sets themselves up to be the monster’s final victim. This usually occurs near the end of act two.
[10:05] Key scene #5: A scene where your protagonist is at the mercy of the monster. This is the moment readers have been waiting for since page one.
[11:47] Key scene #6: A scene where readers learn whether the protagonist survives the confrontation with the monster (or not). Plus, a sense that "evil still lurks."
[13:45] Key points and episode recap.
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Links mentioned in this episode:
- Episode Freebie: Horror Genre Key Scenes PDF Cheat Sheet
- Horror Obligatory Scenes: The 6 Scenes Every Horror Novel Needs (article)
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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