Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
Do you have a story you can't stop thinking about? Maybe it's still just an idea. Maybe it's half a draft you haven't opened in months, or a finished manuscript that doesn't quite work yet. Wherever you are, it can be hard to know what your story needs next.
Fiction Writing Made Easy is a podcast for aspiring fiction authors who want clear, practical guidance on what to do next with their novels. Hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo, the show breaks down complicated writing concepts into simple, actionable lessons. Savannah explains why storytelling techniques work, how the different elements of a story fit together, and what that means for your own writing—often using examples from familiar books and movies.
Topics include developing your story idea, outlining a novel, creating characters readers care about, writing scenes that move your story forward, and figuring out what to fix when your draft isn't working. You'll also find genre deep dives on romance, fantasy, thrillers, and horror, mindset tips for difficult writing days, and advice on querying agents and self-publishing.
You'll also hear from editors and industry experts, as well as writers Savannah has taught who share how they finished—and often published—their books. With hundreds of episodes and over 3.8 million downloads, there's plenty to explore wherever you are with your book.
Hit follow for new episodes every week—and take the next step toward a novel you're proud of.
Episodes
284 episodes
#104: 10 Tips For Writing Better Dialogue
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for writing stronger, more impactful dialogue in your novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:00] Tip #1: Make sure your dialogue serves a purpose in the overarching stor...
#103: Morality Genre Conventions
In today’s episode, I’m covering the conventions of the morality genre using the movie A Man Called Otto as an example. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [05:09] The protagonist starts the story at their worst (with...
#102: 3 Common Interiority Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 3 most common interiority mistakes I see writers make, as well as how to fix them. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:20] Mistake 1: The “too passive” protagonist. Your protagonist sh...
#101: First Chapter Analysis: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
In today’s episode, Abigail K. Perry and I take a deep dive into the first chapter of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Here’s a preview of what we talk about:[05:38] A very quick summary of the first chapter...
#100: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (July 2023)
In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire week, and I’m going to share what I’m working on, what big projects I’m focused on right now, and basically, anything that happens during the week.
#99: 5 Mindset Tips to Help You Unlock Your Writing Potential
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a round-up of mindset tips from some of my peers! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:00] Rachel May of Golden May Editing shares a mindset tip about taking the pressure off of your writin...
#98: How to Add Subplots to Your Novel
In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to add subplots to your novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [1:50] Subplots are secondary storylines that receive less emphasis (and page time) than the main plot. The main purpose ...
#97: First Chapter Analysis: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. Join me and fellow developmental editor Abigail K. Perry as we talk through the first chapter of this popular fantasy nove...
#96: 5 Worldbuilding Tips for Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writers
In this episode, I’m sharing my top 5 worldbuilding tips for science fiction and fantasy writers, with examples from popular novels. Here's a preview of what's included in the episode:[02:39] Tip #1—Go narrow and deep in your wor...
#95: How to Start Writing Your Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top five tips to help you get started with your science fiction or fantasy novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [00:00] Step 1: Decide what kind of fantasy or science fiction story you’re...
#94: How to Reveal Your Character’s Inner Life on the Page
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about writing interiority—aka how to reveal your character’s inner life on the page. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:20] What is interiority? Interiority is on-the-page access ...
#93: First Chapter Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Legendborn by Tracey Deonn. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we talk through the first chapter of this popular YA fantasy novel. Here’s a pr...
#92: The 5 Functions of Dialogue in Your Story
In today’s episode, we’re going to look at the five functions of dialogue in your story. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:50] Function #1: Dialogue can help you advance the plot[05:50] Function #2: Dialogue can...
#91: Student Spotlight: How She Went From First Draft to Landing Her Dream Agent with Jamie Varon
In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jamie Varon to talk through her incredibly inspiring story of how she went from writing the first draft of her novel to landing her dream agent. Here’s a preview of what’s included:[04:15...
#90: How to Choose the Best Point of View for Your Story
In today’s episode, I’m going to walk you through how to choose the best point of view and tense for your story. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:35] Point of view is the lens through which your story is told. It’s whose ...
#89: Student Spotlight: How She Used Short Stories to Hone Her Craft (and Publish Her Debut Novel) with Pauline Yates
In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Pauline Yates to talk through how she used short stories to hone her craft and publish her debut novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:05] An introduction to Pauline Yates and h...
#88: Perfectionism vs. Procrastination: What's REALLY Going On?
In today’s episode, I’m talking about how perfectionism is really just another form of procrastination. I also share some words of wisdom to help you get back on track and moving forward with your writing again. Here’s a preview of what’...
#87: First Chapter Analysis: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we talk through the first chapter of this popular fantasy...
#86: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (February 2023)
In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind-the-scenes with me throughout my entire week, and I’m going to share what I’m working on, what big projects I’m focused on right now, and basically, anything that happens during the week.
#85: Student Spotlight: How She Overcame Her Fear of the Blank Page (and Indie Published Her Novel) with Jennifer Lauer
In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Jennifer Lauer to talk through how she overcame her fear of the blank page and indie published her debut novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:00] An ...
#84: The 6 Scenes Every Status Story Needs
In today’s episode, I’m covering the key scenes that every status story needs. I’ve also included examples of how they show up in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:40] Status stories center...
Bonus: Ask Savannah (Listener Q&A)
In today's extra special bonus episode, I'm going to answer some questions from my listeners! Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode:[01:15] Ame says, “Would you be able to talk more about the coming of age ...
#83: What Kind Of Editor Do You Need For Your Book?
In today's episode, we’re going to talk through the different types of editors you might need to work with to get your book ready to publish. Here's a preview of what's included: [01:40] A developmental editor is someone who ...
#82: Show, Don't Tell: What This Advice Really Means
In today’s episode, I’m sharing what the advice to “show, don’t tell” really means (and spoiler alert: it’s probably not what you think!). We’ll also talk about how to reveal your character’s emotions on the page, too. Here’s a preview of wh...
#81: First Chapter Analysis: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we talk through this popular contemporary romance. Here’s a preview of what we...