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
#80: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned From Writing a First Draft
In today’s episode, I asked five of my Notes to Novel students to share their biggest lessons learned while working through their first drafts. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:00] Kelsey Evans on how understanding he...
#79: 3 Things to Focus on if You’re a Brand New Writer
In today’s episode, I’m going to share the three things to focus on if you’re a brand new writer—or if I was coaching someone who was brand new to writing. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:17] Getting your mindset rig...
#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 id...
#77: 5 Takeaways from Coaching Writers in 2022
In today’s episode, I’m sharing some of the key takeaways I learned from coaching writers in 2022. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:30] Takeaway #1: Don’t be afraid to try new things! Plus, the story of how two differ...
#76: Student Spotlight: The Power of Outlining (and How He Finished a First Draft in 3 Months) With James Beswick
In today's episode, I’m sitting down with James Beswick to talk through his incredibly inspiring story of how he finished his first draft in three months. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:30] An introduction to James ...
#75: Crime Genre Conventions
In today's episode, I’m covering the conventions of the crime genre. This includes the character roles, settings, and events that need to be present in a crime story in order for it to work and satisfy fans of the genre. Here’s a preview...
#74: When Should You Write in Scene vs. Summary?
In today's episode, I’m covering the difference between writing in scene versus writing in summary. Here’s a preview of what’s included:[01:45] Scenes are concrete moments that unfold in real time. Readers “watch” the characters m...
#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&n...
#72: The 6 Scenes Every Morality Story Needs
In today's episode, I’m covering the key scenes that every morality story needs. I’ve also included examples of how they show up in the movie Flight. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:45] Morality stories center around...
#71: Student Spotlight: How She Wrote a Novel in 6 Months (and Landed an Agent 10 Months Later) with Stefanie Medrek
In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Stefanie Medrek to talk through her incredibly inspiring story of how she went from having an idea for a story to landing an agent. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [05:00] The exact mom...
#70: Status Genre Conventions
In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the conventions of the status genre. I'm also going to show you how these conventions show up in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Here's a preview of what's included:[01:45] Stat...
#69: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the seventh book in the Harry Potter...
#68: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the sixth book in the Harry Potter...
#67: The Pros And Cons Of Independent Publishing
In today’s episode, I’m going to walk you through the pros and cons of indie publishing. Here’s a preview of what you’ll hear in the episode:[01:30] Indie publishing is the pure do-it-yourself publishing path. It's where you, the author,...
#66: The Pros And Cons Of Traditional Publishing
In today’s episode, I’m going to walk you through the pros and cons of traditional publishing. Here’s a preview of what you’ll hear in the episode:[01:35] Traditional publishing refers to the established system of submitting a finished m...
#65: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix with Abigail Perry
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the fifth book in the Harry Pot...
#64: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire with Abigail Perry
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the fourth book ...
#63: Don't Start a Scene Without These 3 Things
In this episode, I'm sharing the three contextual elements you'll want to include at the beginning of each one of your scenes. We'll also look at how these three elements show up in the opening of a scene from the novel An Ember in t...
#62: The 6 Key Scenes Every Crime Novel Needs
In today's episode, we're going to talk about the key scenes that every crime story needs to have in order to work and to satisfy fans of the genre. Here's a preview of what's included:[01:15] Crime stories are all about the ques...
#61: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban with Abigail Perry
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the third b...
#60: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets with Abigail Perry
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the second b...
#59: First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone with Abigail Perry
In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the first book...
#58: 10 Querying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
In this episode, I'm sharing the 10 most common querying mistakes I see writers make and how to avoid them. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode:[02:45] Mistake #1: Your story isn't 100% read...
Bonus: Be A Bestseller 3.0 Summit Interview with Emma Dhesi
In today’s extra special bonus episode, I'm sharing an interview I did earlier this year with Emma Dhesi for her Be A Bestseller Summit. We talked about genre and how your story’s genre can help you write a story that works. And ...