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Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice — Arts
Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice

Fiction Writing Made Easy is your go-to creative writing 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 and write a novel you’re proud of.

Whether you’re a first-time author, an aspiring novelist, or a seasoned writer looking to strengthen your craft, each episode will help you understand what makes a story work at the deepest level—so you can stop second-guessing your ideas and start building a stronger novel from the inside out.

You’ll learn how to develop your premise, structure your plot, create compelling characters, write stronger scenes, world-build without infodumping, revise your draft, and navigate your publishing options with more clarity and confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered things like…

How do I write a novel if I’ve never done this before?

What’s the best way to structure a story that works?

How do I develop strong characters readers will care about?

How do I build an immersive world without info-dumping?

How do I write scenes that move the story forward?

How do I edit my first draft?

How do I know when my book is ready to publish?

Should I pursue self-publishing or traditional publishing?

…you’re in the right place.

New episodes drop weekly to help you simplify the novel-writing process, strengthen your storytelling skills, and get your book into readers’ hands.

—

Popular Episode Topics Include: Fiction Writing Tips, Story Structure, Plotting a Novel, Character Development, Writing Stronger Scenes, World Building, Novel Revision, Story Development, How to Outline a Novel, Character Arcs, Genre Fiction, Editing a Novel, Fiction Writing Mistakes to Avoid, Revision Strategies, Writing Advice

Copyright: © 2025 Savannah Gilbo, Inc. | Fiction Writing Made Easy

Latest Episodes:

#127: First Chapter Analysis: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

“It might seem strange to start a story with an ending, but all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time.” - Abigail K. Perry
In this episode, we’re talking about The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom to see how and why it works. Join Abigail K. Perry and me as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story.
Read the blog post here!
Here's a preview of what's included:
[02:40] Chapter summary: Abigail reads a summary of the first chapter and talks about how (and why) the author gives away the ending of the story upfront.
[15:52] Macro analysis: We talk through the 7 Key Questions as laid out by Paula Munier in her book, The Writer's Guide to Beginnings, and how the chapter serves as a compelling opening for a character-driven story.
[21:42] Abigail talks about how this story is a great example of a novel with a unique voice.
[45:46] Micro analysis: We talk through the structure of the scene using the 5 Commandment scene framework as laid out by Shawn Coyne at The Story Grid, including the use of “postcard scenes”—a term they borrowed from Donald Maass.
[58:30] Final thoughts: The first chapter is essential in driving the story forward so writers should ensure that they are delivering enough of the big picture to engage readers.
Links mentioned in this episode:

Check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry here! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry.
The Writer's Guide to Beginnings by Paula Munier
The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne

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#126: Save The Cat! Troubleshooting Common Plot Problems With Jessica Brody Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

“Every time you write something hard, it changes you as a writer, and it makes you a better writer.” - Jessica Brody
Today I'm sharing a conversation with Jessica Brody where we talk about some of the most common mistakes writers make when outlining, writing, and editing their books using the “Save the Cat” method.
Read the blog post here!
Here's a preview of what's included:
[02:30] Jessica introduces herself and shares her experience writing fiction using the Save The Cat! plotting method.
[04:00] Savannah asks Jessica about marrying the external plot of a story to the protagonist's internal arc. Savannah sees a lot of writers focus solely on the external plot events and not enough on character growth and development. Jessica shares her thoughts on how to make sure you're balancing both plot and character as you write.
[11:45] Savannah asks Jessica to talk about two important multi-scene beats—the Fun and Games beat and the Bad Guys Close In beat. Jessica shares her thoughts on breaking these longer beats down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
[18:00] Savannah asks Jessica about being too rigid with the Save The Cat! structure. Specifically, what happens if your beats don't line up with the percentages recommended? Jessica shares her thoughts.
[21:50] Jessica talks about how she had a hard time with the All Is Lost beat and the Dark Night Of The Soul beat until she figured out a very important distinction.
[30:40] Jessica talks about some things to consider in terms of your first 25-50 pages when it comes time to query agents.
Links mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Jessica Brody on her website or connect with her on Instagram
Check out Jessica's craft books to go deeper into the STC! method—Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and Save the Cat! Writes a YA Novel
Join Jessica's membership, The Writing Mastery Academy , and get $20 off your annual membership using code 'FWME'

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#125: Novel Writing Pitfalls: Don't Make These 5 Mistakes Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

“ The purpose of a first draft is not to come up with something that's perfect. Instead, the purpose is to explore your story and get it out of your head.” - Savannah Gilbo
Transform your writing as I reveal 5 all-too-common mistakes that plague writers. Learn the savvy strategies to sidestep these blunders and discover my top-notch tips for rectifying them if you've already fallen prey.
Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:20] Having gratitude for every mistake encountered and acknowledging that they served as valuable lessons. The repetition of these errors helped Savannah develop numerous solutions, contributing to her growth as a writer, editor, and book coach
[05:38] The essence of a story lies in how external events impact someone striving for a challenging goal and the subsequent transformation they undergo. The narrative's power lies in the underlying story, not just the eloquence of words. Without a compelling story, the manuscript lacks substance.
[11:07] Common worries and self-doubt faced by writers often revolve around questioning one's capability and self-worth. Shift to tackling these concerns by identifying the content genre of the story, offering a pathway to navigate and overcome these common anxieties in writing.
[17:53] Advice to choose one or two writing methods that resonate with writers and focus on them. Whether it's scene structure or character development, selecting a preferred approach like scene and sequel or goal-motivation-conflict is encouraged.
Links mentioned in this episode:

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#124: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 3) Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

“That's how much my writing's improved. But not just the writing, it's the ease. It's not a struggle when I sit down in front of the laptop to write. Everything just seems a lot easier.” - Morgan Schrock
In today's episode, I reached out to some of my Notes to Novels Season 3 students and asked them to share the number one thing they learned about writing a first draft. You're going to get to hear from real writers who are in the trenches, actively working on their novels and I think it'll be very fun for you to hear how they did it plus some of their biggest takeaways.
Read the blog post here!
Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:26] Lindsay Sfara shares her experience where she initially faced challenges with an insufficiently detailed outline, leading to a lack of direction in her superhero fantasy novel.
She highlights her struggles and the transformative impact of the Notes to Novel course.
[07:56] Liya Gray has been working on a YA series since 2015, facing challenges and halting progress. She credits Savannah’s course for unlocking a new understanding of her story's structure, and realizing the difference between scenes and chapters.
[12:43] Ami Blackford talks about her insights into the Notes to Novel course and its impact on her writing journey. Amy, initially felt there were missing pieces in her eighth novel's outline but she highlights four significant takeaways from the course regarding theme, content genre vs. commercial genre, structured scenes, and fast first draft and magical edits.
[18:46] Tanja Fabsits shares her experience with her first novel, and a significant realization during the course was related to scene structure, but her favorite takeaway was the overall feeling of relaxing into the outlining process.
[20:56] Morgan Schrock, with a background in scientific writing for journals, decided to write a fiction novel. Her most significant realization was that the middle of her story felt boring, and she identified the problem as a lack of agency for her main character. The course's outlining technique proved to be a game-changer for her.
Links mentioned in this episode:

Lindsay Sfara - Instagram
Liya Grey - Website, Instagram, Facebook
Ami Blackford - Website, Instagram, Facebook
Tanja Fabsits - Book
Morgan Shrock - X, Instagram
Free Workshop - The Confident Writer's Roadmap

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#123: How To Overcome The 5 Types Of Imposter Syndrome Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

“Try learning new skills and then putting what you learn into practice right away, because, at the end of the day, you can only really learn through doing anyway.” - Savannah Gilbo
Is imposter syndrome holding you back from writing a novel? Here are the EXACT action steps you can take right now to combat your feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and fear—and to overcome imposter syndrome for good.
Read the blog post here!
Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:28] What exactly is imposter syndrome? How can you conquer it?
[06:18] How overindulgence in work can drain the creativity and enjoyment from crafting a novel and may even jeopardize your relationships.
[11:06] Overly independent writers tend to reject assistance or input from others, even when it is necessary, out of the fear of being perceived as incompetent.
[14:13] Writers who believe that continually reading more craft books, enrolling in additional training, or rewriting the opening chapter repeatedly, might eventually amass enough knowledge to create a flawless novel.

Links mentioned in this episode:

All podcast episodes are available here.

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#122: Counting Down The Best Writing Tips From FWME In 2023 Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

“My point is that you have to do the work to make the mistakes and learn.” - Savannah Gilbo

The past year on Fiction Writing Made Easy has been a treasure trove of insights, expert advice, and creative hacks, all neatly bundled up in amazing podcast episodes and interviews.
Today, we dive into a delightful countdown, revisiting the very best tips that get into the heart of fiction writing, and uncovering the gems that made 2023 an inspiration for writers.
Read the blog post here!
Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[01:00] Savannah’s favorite ways to brainstorm subplots and then layer them into your story in an organic way.
[13:34] The best technique to write quality fiction that readers will connect to.
[21:30] Being willing as writers to put things out there that aren’t perfect.
[35:09] As a writer, create your milestone list from one to ten.
Links mentioned in this episode:

All podcast episodes are available here.

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FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

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#121: 5 Takeaways From Coaching Writers in 2023 Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

“The more work you do up front and the more you get your mindset right, the more likely your chances of success are.” - Savannah Gilbo
In this episode, I'm giving you a glimpse behind the scenes and sharing some of the key takeaways I learned from coaching writers this year. I hope that you'll be able to reap some of the benefits of these lessons so that you can move forward with your writing in the most efficient way possible.
Read the blog post here!
Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:50] It's easier to make progress when surrounded by a community of like-minded writers.
[05:48] Before your query letter and submission materials, you should have a finished draft of your synopsis and get outside feedback from a developmental editor or beta readers.
[09:53] Why do more writers seem to be choosing self-publishing over traditional publishing?
[15:04] Savannah’s recommendation of starting a story at a different place and how perfectionism has also impacted almost every writer I worked with this year.
Links mentioned in this episode:

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#120: First Chapter Analysis: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

“I think that's really important at the end of every time that you write a scene. Ask yourself, how can I raise the stakes even more?” - Abigail K. Perry

Join us today as we embark on a thrilling literary journey through the fantastical world of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros. In this episode, I'm joined by Abigail K. Perry and I encourage you to read this mesmerizing tale, peel it apart with us, and participate in our analysis of it.
Read the blog post here!
Here's a preview of what's included:
[05:42] Chapter summary: The first chapter of Fourth Wing leaves readers hanging on the edge, both emotionally and figuratively, setting the stage for a tale brimming with intrigue, familial conflict, and the high stakes of a world defined by war and loyalty.
[11:53] Macro analysis: This novel aims to captivate readers with its combination of action, fantasy, and romance within the new adult framework. The novel features a skillful balance between internal character development and external conflicts, seeking approval from parents, creating a rich narrative that explores both the character's inner struggles and the broader context of a war-torn world filled with secrets and conspiracies.
[32:54] Micro analysis: Discussing differing views on the crisis and turning point, a debate about whether to consider the author’s writing as one scene or split it into multiple scenes, and understanding the protagonist’s goal and actions and decisions within it. Also, there is the effectiveness of putting a crisis on the page, illustrating the character's internal struggle and the stakes involved.
[53:08] Final thoughts: The balance between setup and resolution in scenes, emphasizing the need for purposeful content that propels the plot forward, and the careful construction of scenes, focusing on character development, plot progression, and the effective integration of stakes and conflicts.
Links mentioned in this episode:

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#119: Student Spotlight: How Fern Bernstein Wrote A Dual Timeline Novel Based On The Edies of Grey Gardens Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

“It's the inciting incident, the turning point, the crisis moment, the climax, and the resolution, and each scene really needs to have that to move the story forward.” - Fern Bernstein
In today's episode, I’m sitting down for a conversation with Fern Bernstein to talk about her debut novel, Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens. Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:44] Savannah reads the back cover of Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens to get context for today’s discussion.
[12:14] The history and unanswered questions around the Edie’s, how they inspired Fern’s book, and the character work and story structure Fern worked through with Savannah about these wonderful women of Grey Gardens, East Hampton, New York.
[21:11] Going through the outline, having consecutive drafts, and the balancing act of taking the reader through a particular emotional journey through two different timelines.
[32:37] How beta readers impacted Fern’s opinion of her writing and being open to feedback and constructive criticism as a writer.
Links mentioned in this episode:

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#118: How To Find The Major Dramatic Question Of Your Story Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

“Every story has one main question that it raises in the beginning and answers by the end.” - Savannah Gilbo
In this latest podcast episode, we'll explore a fundamental element of storytelling: the Major Dramatic Question (MDQ). From the outset of your story, readers should be gripped by this central question. Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:31] Savannah talks about why the major dramatic question (MDQ) of a story is a helpful question for writers and how you can find the MDQ of your story.
[04:27] What's going to help you write a story that's full of narrative drive (the thing that keeps readers turning the pages)?
[08:12] Once you know your story's Major Dramatic Question (MDQ), what do you do with it?
[09:44] How your story’s MDQ can help during the publishing process and can pique a potential reader's interest.
Links mentioned in this episode:

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