Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
FaktaFiksjonFiction 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.
Siste episoder av Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips podcast
- #220. How to Build an Author Platform (Even if You're an Introvert) with Shelby Leigh (00:32:05)
Learn how to build a focused, authentic author platform to connect with readers early, grow your visibility, and create lasting momentum for your book launch. In this episode, I’m joined by Shelby Leigh, bestselling author of four poetry books (with over 60,000 copies sold!) and the founder of Marketing by Shelby, where she's helped more than 8,000 authors and creatives learn how to market their books with ease. Shelby and I talk about how to start building your author platform before your bo...
- #219. How To Build Story Tension by Sharing More (Not Less) with Daniel David Wallace (00:29:00)
Discover why clarity (not secrecy) is the key to keeping your readers engaged, curious, and emotionally invested in your story. Writers often think suspense means withholding information, but what if the opposite were true? In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel David Wallace, author, writing teacher, and founder of the annual Escape the Plot Forest Summit, to discuss why holding back details can leave readers confused or disconnected rather than curious. Daniel explains how sharing the right ...
- #218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript (00:25:50)
Learn how to work with beta readers in a grounded, calm way so feedback feels useful, not overwhelming. You're nearing the finish line of your first draft, or maybe you've just crossed it. Either way, the question is the same… what happens next? Should you send it to friends? Hire an editor? Bury it in a drawer? Everyone keeps mentioning “beta readers,” but what does that actually mean? And how do you find the right ones without losing your mind or your confidence? In this episode, I’m breaki...
- #217. Save the Cat! Writes Horror: How to Write Truly Terrifying Stories With Jamie Nash (00:47:12)
Ever wonder why some horror stories linger in your mind long after the lights go out? Jamie Nash reveals how structure (not jump scares or gore) creates true terror. In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Nash, screenwriter and author of Save the Cat! Writes Horror, the ultimate guide to creating “Monster in the House” stories that keep readers up at night. With over 25 years of experience writing and teaching horror (including films like V/H/S/2 and Lovely Molly), Jamie shares how to craft ter...
- #216. Story Structure: The 5 Scenes Every Story Needs (With Kristina Stanley) (00:46:57)
Learn the five key plot points that turn struggling manuscripts into finished novels—and exactly where they need to appear in your story structure. Have you ever felt like your story just isn't clicking, no matter how much effort you've put into it? Maybe you've polished your prose, developed your characters, and built an intriguing world—but something still feels off. In this episode, I sat down with Kristina Stanley—award-winning author, fiction editor, and founder of Fictionary—to uncover ...
- #215. How to Write a Prologue Readers Won’t Skip (& When to Start at Chapter One Instead) (00:18:57)
Should you include a prologue or skip it? Here's how to make the right choice for your novel. Prologues are one of the most debated topics in fiction. Some literary agents warn against them, some readers skip them altogether, and yet many of the most beloved bestselling novels begin with one. The real question is this: Does your story need a prologue, or will Chapter One carry the weight on its own? In this episode, I'm breaking down when a prologue truly adds value, when it works against you...
- #214. Subverting the Mainstream Lens: Writing Stories That Stay True to Your People (With Tiffany Grimes) (00:35:37)
Learn how to write authentic, diverse characters without over-explaining or fearing criticism. Writing diverse characters can feel intimidating. You want to include different voices in your story, but worry about misrepresenting them. This leads many writers to either avoid diversity altogether or fall into the trap of over-explaining everything for a mainstream gaze, thereby diluting the power of their story. In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany Grimes, founder of Burgeon Design and Edit...
- #213. 5 Expert Tips To Edit Your Messy First Draft Without The Overwhelm (00:28:23)
Five book coaches reveal the editing secrets that turn messy first drafts into ready-to-publish manuscripts. Finishing a first draft is an incredible milestone, but what comes next can feel overwhelming. If you're staring at your messy pages and wondering how to even begin editing, you're not alone. The good news is that there is a way to move forward without spiraling into revision confusion or self-doubt. In this episode, I've invited five fiction writing coaches to share their best tips fo...
- #212. 5 Ways Writers Can Use AI to Help With Book Marketing (00:18:29)
You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, but now you’re staring down the next challenge: how do you actually get it into readers’ hands? Marketing your book can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools—like AI—you can turn it into a streamlined, even fun, part of your creative process. In this episode, I’m breaking down five beginner-friendly ways AI can help you market your book and connect with readers, all while keeping your voice authentic and your ...
- #211. How to Write Romantasy Power Couples Readers Obsess Over With Jenna Moreci (00:35:25)
Want to write a Romantasy that readers obsess over? Here’s how to deliver the tropes, intimacy, and magic readers crave. Romantasy is everywhere right now, and for good reason—it’s the perfect mix of swoony romance, epic fantasy, and unforgettable characters. But if you’ve ever thought, “How do I even start writing Romantasy?” you’re not alone. With so much hype around the genre, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the tropes, rules, and expectations. That’s why I sat down with Jenna Moreci,...
- #210. 5 Tips For Writing A Multiple POV Novel Without Confusing Your Readers (00:11:55)
Discover the five essential strategies for mastering multiple-POV novels without confusing your readers. Have you ever wondered if you could write a multi-POV story like The Girl on the Train? Or how about The Six of Crows? The kind that pulls you into multiple characters' worlds so completely that you feel like you know each one personally? Writing a multiple-POV novel can create incredible depth and complexity when done correctly. But it can also turn your story into a confusing mess if you...
- #209. How to Revise Your Novel Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind) With Alice Sudlow (00:54:30)
Discover the counterintuitive first draft editing approach that transforms messy manuscripts into page-turning novels readers love. Most fiction writers struggle with novel revision because they jump straight into editing their manuscript after finishing their first draft. This approach leads to endless rewrites, overwhelming confusion, and stories that get stuck in endless Chapter 1 revisions, never reaching completion. Developmental editor Alice Sudlow joins me to share her systematic appro...
- #208. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 6) (00:24:48)
Real writers share how they broke free from endless rewrites and abandoned drafts to finally finish their novels in just 90 days—using the exact framework that can unlock your story too. In this episode, I’m sharing real, inspiring stories from fiction writers who went from stuck and overwhelmed to finishing their novels using the exact framework I teach in Notes to Novel. You’ll hear from fantasy writers, contemporary fiction authors, and more—writers who were trapped in endless rewrites, dr...
- #207. What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works (00:12:35)
Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve started writing, but something feels... off. The story isn’t coming together the way you imagined, and you’re not sure why. You’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this because they’re missing the foundational elements that make a story work. It’s not about writing beautiful sentences or having a brilliant idea—it’s about knowing how to build a story that readers can’t put down. In this episod...
- #206. Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One Year (00:33:15)
After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece that helped her finish writing not just one novel, but two books in a single year. Today I'm chatting with Gina Elizabeth, indie fantasy romance author of the Bonded in Blood series (and Notes to Novel graduate!), about her transformation from someone who couldn't finish a book to a published author of multiple books. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like: [04:00] Why she couldn't...
- Bonus: Plotting for Pantsers: How 3 Writers Found Freedom in Story Structure (00:17:06)
The myth that plotting kills creativity is keeping countless discovery writers stuck in an endless cycle of abandoned manuscripts—but what if structure could actually set your creativity free? If you're a pantser convinced that outlining will ruin your creative process, or you've been discovery writing through multiple unfinished manuscripts, this episode will change how you think about story structure. You'll hear from three committed pantsers who thought outlining meant creative death. Kath...
- #205. How Story Structure Can Free Your Creativity and Help You Finish Your Novel (00:15:25)
The myth of "writing free" is keeping talented writers stuck on Chapter One. Here's why story structure actually enhances creativity—and how to use it to finally finish your novel. You've been told that outlining kills creativity. That real writers don't need structure. That planning your novel will turn it into a formulaic mess. But what if everything you believe about story structure is wrong? In this episode, I'm revealing why the writers who resist structure often end up trapped in the sm...
- #204. Student Spotlight: Why Overlearning Is Holding You Back: Neroli Lacey’s Journey to Publishing Success (00:26:01)
After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Neroli Lacey discovered that too much knowledge was actually keeping her stuck—until she learned to implement instead of accumulate. Today I'm chatting with Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer's Secret (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, International Book Awards Winner, and National Indie Excellence Award Winner), about how focusing on implementation over information finally helped her transform her me...
- Bonus: How 3 Perfectionists Finally Broke Free & Finished Their First Drafts (00:18:31)
What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent or time? "I need to get this right before I move on" keeps aspiring authors stuck forever. But here's what I've discovered... Perfectionism isn't about having high standards. It's about fear. Fear of judgment, failure, or not being "good enough." In this episode, you'll hear from three reformed perfectionists who broke free from the endless editing trap and finished their novels. Meet Pornika, who dela...
- #203. Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead) (00:17:42)
All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't finish your novel. Here's what's really happening—and the simple shift that changes everything. You know that browser folder labeled "Writing Advice"? The one with 147 articles about plot structure and 83 posts on character development? Yeah, that one. What if I told you it's actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, I'm exposing the "writing advice trap" that catches even the most dedicated writers. Aft...
- #202. Student Spotlight: How Kara Kentley Turned a Messy Draft Into a Published Romance (and How You Can Too) (00:52:05)
After years of rewriting the same sagging middle and juggling two confusing timelines, Kara Kentley discovered the romance structure secrets that transformed her messy draft into a published novel that sells daily. Today I'm chatting with Kara Kentley, contemporary romance author of Another Summer and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how learning genre expectations finally helped her finish the book she'd been struggling with for years. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like: ...
- Bonus: Making Time To Write: How 3 Busy Writers Finished Their First Drafts (00:16:50)
What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in your day? "I don't have time to write" might be the most common excuse that stops aspiring authors before they even start. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of writers… It’s not about how much time you have that matters. It’s about what you do with your limited time that counts. In this episode, you'll hear from three busy writers who had every legitimate reason to put their w...
- #201. The Time Myth: Why ‘Finding Time to Write’ Actually Makes It Harder (00:15:58)
Feel stuck "finding time" to write your novel? You might be solving the wrong problem. Here's what's really going on—and what to do instead. Why does finding time to write feel impossible sometimes? We blame our busy schedules (and yes, that's definitely part of it). But there's something else lurking beneath the surface that stops your writing progress dead in its tracks. And it has a way of making you feel like you're failing at this whole writing thing. Which is so not true. In this episod...
- Bonus: From Stuck to Breakthrough: How 3 Writers Found Their Path Forward (00:17:31)
What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything? Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write, but have absolutely no idea how to move forward. In this episode, you'll hear from three writers who faced this exact challenge in very dif...
- #200. Why Most Writers Give Up (And How to Finally Finish Your Novel) (00:16:18)
Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you. If you've been dreaming about writing a novel but find yourself starting and stopping, getting stuck in the middle, or just staring at a blank page wondering where to even begin, you're not alone. Here's what I've noticed after working with hundreds of writers: the ones who actually finish their novels aren't more talented or creative than you. They've just learned to navigate around five specific...