140 episodes

How do I write a book? How do I create compelling characters that readers will love? How do I build a believable world for my story? What does it even mean to write a story that works? Do you have any writing tips? These are just some of the big questions that developmental editor and book coach, Savannah Gilbo, digs into on the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast. Each week, Savannah shares actionable tools, tips, and strategies that will help you write, edit, and publish your book. So, whether you're brand new to writing, or a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you!

Fiction Writing Made Easy Savannah Gilbo

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 8 Ratings

How do I write a book? How do I create compelling characters that readers will love? How do I build a believable world for my story? What does it even mean to write a story that works? Do you have any writing tips? These are just some of the big questions that developmental editor and book coach, Savannah Gilbo, digs into on the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast. Each week, Savannah shares actionable tools, tips, and strategies that will help you write, edit, and publish your book. So, whether you're brand new to writing, or a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you!

    #135: Mastering Point of View and Voice: Expert Tips From Gabriela Pereira Of DIY MFA

    #135: Mastering Point of View and Voice: Expert Tips From Gabriela Pereira Of DIY MFA

    “You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necessarily knows.” - Gabriela Pereira

    In today’s episode, I ask Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA for her thoughts on some of the most commonly asked questions I get about point of view and voice—and she shares some of her favorite tips and strategies for mastering POV and voice in your writing.  Here’s a preview of what’s included:

    [1:51] What's Gabriela’s advice for writers trying to choose the "right" point of view for their book?

    [05:01] 3 Tips from Gabriela for mastering POV and voice in your writing.

    [15:27] Using an omniscient third-person narrator may feel easier than a limited third-person but this isn’t necessarily true. We discuss how to utilize third-party omniscient without feeling dated.  

    [21:10] We talk about voice and Gabriela shares why she hates when people say "Find your voice".

    [38:20] The takeaway from this conversation is the importance of approaching the editing process systematically. For instance, beginning with the big picture before focusing on minor sentence-level adjustments, ultimately leads to a better editing process. It is valuable to also maintain consistency in voice and POV, making sure that the writer's voice shines through for clarity and coherence of the story.

    Links mentioned in this episode:
    Gabriela Pereira's WebsiteBook: DIY MFAEpisode #90 How to Choose the Best Point of View for Your StoryRead this episode's blog post here!Click here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.
    Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show!

    Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

    • 42 min
    #134: How To Stop Procrastinating: 5 Productivity Tips For Writers

    #134: How To Stop Procrastinating: 5 Productivity Tips For Writers

    “It's really important to focus on the big picture story first and not worry about granular details that you can figure out later.” - Savannah Gilbo

    Get more done in less time, overcome procrastination, and become a master at time management with these 5 super simple productivity tips that I’ve been using daily for the last 10 years.

    Read the blog post here!

    Here’s a preview of what’s included:

    [01:07] What is productivity and why does it matter?

    [04:44] How to time block your days in a way that works for YOU—plus, what this looks like for me (spoiler alert: I’m a night owl so I do my best work at night!).

    [10:49] Tips for prioritizing your most important tasks so you don’t get stuck in the weeds doing things that don’t move the needle in terms of finishing your book.

    [17:12] Why multitasking is NOT the answer to higher productivity—and a few surprising ways writers multi-task without even realizing it.

    [27:26] Cultivating these habits is a gradual process that requires consistent effort. If incorporating all five tips seems overwhelming, experiment with a single tip this week. As you progress, incorporate additional habits and eventually, you'll evolve into a more productive writer.

    Links Mentioned In This Episode:
    Story Starter KitClick here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.
    Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show!

    Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

    • 29 min
    #133: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (March 2024)

    #133: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (March 2024)

    “Sometimes it's easy to take feedback to mean that your story's broken when it's not.” - Savannah Gilbo

    I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire work week! You’ll see how I plan my days, what projects I work on, what I learn from the writers I work with, and so much more!

    Read the blog post here!

    Here’s a preview of what’s included:

    [01:48] Sunday Update - This week will be a mixed bag. I’m taking a 2-day online course from Laura Belgray, who’s sharing a behind-the-scenes look at her most recent book launch. The other fun thing I’m doing is giving a presentation for ProWritingAid’s Romance Writers Week. Also, the third Crescent City book from Sarah J. Maas comes out this week, and I am so excited to read that.

    [06:48] Monday Update - Today, there are two big things I need to do: craft some emails for the Women In Publishing Summit, which I'm speaking at in March. The other big thing I'm working on is growing my email list and one of the ways I’m planning to do that is to be a guest on as many other writing podcasts as possible.

    [11:08] Tuesday Update - I’m coaching a writer who is working on two stories at once. Working on two projects at once would be hard for most people to handle. However, because this author has two novels in different stages of the process, it allows her to use different parts of her brain on different days.

    [16:33] Wednesday Update - The virtual class that Laura Belgray is hosting is about how she launched her book, Tough Titties, and it was awesome. I also have a little bit of a selfish reason for wanting to see what she did because I have a book coming out later this year, and I’m hoping to learn from what Laura did so that I can have a great book launch myself.

    [21:03] Thursday Update - It's so easy to second-guess ourselves when it comes to mapping out or outlining our stories. There are so many decisions to be made. If you are a student of my Notes to Novel class, you can submit your loglines for me to review during any of our Q&A calls. If you don't know what a logline is, it’s essentially a 1-2 sentence summary of your story—and you can craft it before you’ve even outlined or written a single word of your book.

    [28:57] Friday Update - I am writing a book and it’s an analysis of the first Harry Potter book. It’s a craft book for writers that’s going to dig into the big picture and the small picture to find out why and how this story works so well. This project is something I started 5+ years ago, and it got shelved for various reasons but is now coming back into the spotlight. 
    Links Mentioned In This Episode
    Episode #54: How to Test an Idea Before Writing the First DraftEpisode #94: How to Reveal Your Character’s Inner Life on the PageEpisode #102: 3 Common Interiority Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)Waitlist: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoClick here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.
    Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show!

    Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

    • 35 min
    #132: First Chapter Analysis: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

    #132: First Chapter Analysis: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

    “In stories that feel society dominant, is survival even worth it if you don't have freedom?” - Abigail K. Perry

    We’re taking a deep dive into The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry 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: 

    [04:39] Chapter summary: In the opening chapter, the author employs a tight focus on Katniss's perspective, utilizing vivid imagery and carefully chosen details to immerse the reader in the setting.

    [08:57] Macro analysis: We use Paula Munier’s 7 Key Questions to highlight the multifaceted nature of the narrative, incorporating elements of action, societal critique, and internal transformation.

    [44:16] Micro analysis: We talk through the structure of the scene using The Story Grid’s 5 Commandments. We focus on a specific scene involving Katniss and Gale since it is a well-crafted and impactful part of the narrative, showcasing the author's adept talent to convey character dynamics, conflicts, and thematic depth.

    [01:04 ] Final thoughts: Reflecting on this scene, it becomes apparent how it propels the narrative forward and leaves a lasting impact on the characters entwined within it. Ultimately, this initial chapter accomplishes all the essential functions expected of a compelling opening.

    Click here to check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry.

    Links mentioned in this episode:
    5 Mistakes Writers Make in Their Opening PagesHow to Write a Well-Structured SceneA New Workshop For Writers: How to Hook Readers in Your First Five PagesUnderstanding Genre: How to Write Better StoriesClick here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.
    Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show!

    Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

    • 1 hr 7 min
    #131: 5 Steps To Start Planning Your Book Series

    #131: 5 Steps To Start Planning Your Book Series

    “The key to making books within a series work is to grow, escalate, and complicate the conflict and stakes from book to book.” - Savannah Gilbo

    A good book series allows readers to immerse themselves in a world and stay there. But how do you write a series that works? To start, here are 5 steps to help you start planning your book series.

    Read the blog post here!

    Here’s a preview of what’s included:

    [01:42] Savannah discusses the the three primary categories of book series—static, dynamic, and anthology.

    [03:06] The 5 steps to start planning your book series.

    [11:48] Analyzing a character's journey across the Hunger Games trilogy.

    [14:50] Unpacking Voldemort's grand plot objective versus the specific goals within each book—and the strategic implications.

    [21:35] A useful exercise to stimulate plot ideas for your series.

    [29:03] A bonus tip for enriching the worldbuilding/setting of your book series.

    [32:45]  As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into planning a book series. Don’t expect to have everything figured out in one or two sittings. This is something you’ll need to start and add to over time, so please know that going into this process!

    Links Mentioned In This Episode:
    Understanding Genre: How to Write Better StoriesHow to Uncover the Theme of Your StoryClick here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.
    Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show!

    Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

    • 35 min
    #130: How to Craft Romantic Chemistry & Tension Between Characters

    #130: How to Craft Romantic Chemistry & Tension Between Characters

    “ Flat or boring characters who are underdeveloped are never going to light up a scene, no matter how many tricks you pull.” - Savannah Gilbo

    If you’re writing romance, the chemistry and tension between your characters can make or break your story. Let’s explore how to create romantic chemistry between two characters in an authentic and compelling way to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

    Read the blog post here!

    Here’s a preview of what’s included:

    [01:44] What is chemistry?

    [03:01] The first thing we need to do when creating chemistry between two characters is to have fully fleshed-out characters with their own goals, motivations, and inner obstacles.

    [03:42] Capitalize on opportunities for opposition and harmony between your characters.

    [07:41] The 3 key ingredients of chemistry are vulnerability, desire, and resistance

    [09:14] Examples from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

    [17:51] Writing romantic tension between romantic and non-romantic characters

    [22:56]  If you want to master crafting irresistible chemistry and tension, I highly recommend studying your favorite stories. This is the best way to improve your writing. You can ask yourself questions like:
    What do I like about the chemistry and tension between these two characters?How did the author play on each character’s vulnerabilities within the relationship?What does each character like (or desire) about the other (physically, mentally, and emotionally)?How did the author create resistance between the characters? Why do the characters not want the relationship to move forward?What can I replicate in my own writing?And if you need help getting started with your story, check out my FREE Story Starter Kit: 5 Questions To Ask Before You Start Writing. This fillable workbook will help you build out the foundational elements of your story: genre, character, setting, plot, and theme. Grab your free copy here!

    Links mentioned in this episode:
    5 Questions to Help You Write Better CharactersFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosClick here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.
    Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show!

    Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

avnincetoria ,

One of the best Podcasts I have found on writing

I‘ve been listening to Savannah for several months now and this podcast really just gives me the push and motivation I need to continue my writing journey. Her insight as an editor is priceless to me, and all the questions she comes up with to improve a writer’s understanding of their own stories have given me major inspiration for my YA fantasy book. Reaching that goal of finishing my first draft is not as daunting as it once was, and I have gotten to know my characters on a deeper level.
Thank you for this amazing podcast, I look forward to each and every episode!

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