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

Savannah Gilbo
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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

  1. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    Bonus: How 3 Writers Found a Clear Path Through All the Writing Advice

    If you’ve read the craft books, listened to hundreds of podcast episodes, and studied all kinds of writing advice—but still sit down at your desk wondering, okay, what am I actually supposed to work on today?—this episode is for you. Because at some point, learning more about writing stops being the missing piece. You need a process that helps you figure out what your specific story needs, what to work on next, and how all the pieces fit together. In this bonus episode, you’ll hear from three writers who had spent a lot of time learning about writing, but still struggled to turn everything they’d learned into a clear path forward. You’ll hear from Josie, a self-described chronic over-learner who had studied every major plotting method but kept running into dead ends while trying to outline her novel. Emily, who wrote 35,000 words of her romantic fantasy before getting stuck in a middle she couldn’t see clearly. And Nefer, who spent five years caught in a cycle of line editing when she knew her manuscript needed much bigger changes. Three writers, stuck in three completely different ways. But what got all of them moving forward again was the same thing—and it wasn't more craft advice. It was having a process that helped them figure out what their specific story needed, what to work on next, and how all the pieces fit together. In this episode, you'll hear: [03:29] How one writer went from cobbling together different plotting methods and running into dead ends to creating a detailed scene-by-scene outline she could confidently write from. [08:02] How one writer who stalled at 35,000 words finally gained clarity on the entire shape of her story—including the middle that had felt impossibly murky. [12:33] What happened when one writer zoomed out of her line-by-line prose to focus on the big picture of her story first—and how doing so gave her the clarity to move forward. If you've spent months, or even years, learning about the craft but still feel unsure what your novel needs from you next, there's a good chance you'll recognize yourself in at least one of these stories. And if this episode makes you realize a clear process might be the thing you’ve been missing, Notes to Novel is open for enrollment through September 4th. It's the same process Josie, Emily, and Nefer used to make the progress you'll hear about today. Inside, I'll help you develop your story's foundation, create your cast of characters, and map your plot into a scene-by-scene outline so you can write your draft with clarity and confidence. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Josephine Noble’s WebsiteEmily’s InstagramNefer Doane’s WebsiteLearn more about Notes to Novel⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  2. Aug 25

    #262. 10 Tips to Make Your Enemies to Lovers Romance Feel Believable

    If you're writing an enemies to lovers romance, getting your characters from “I can't stand you” to “I love you” takes more than chemistry. Here’s how to write enemies to lovers in a way that makes that turn feel convincing. The enemies to lovers trope is popular for a reason. The tension, banter, forced proximity, and slow shift from conflict to attraction can make for an incredibly satisfying romance.  But it's harder to pull off than it looks, because readers have to believe two things at once: that these two characters genuinely are enemies, and that these same two characters could genuinely fall in love.  That's why in this episode, I'm walking you through 10 tips for building an enemies to lovers romance that feels believable, while still keeping all the tension and friction that makes this trope so much fun.  You'll hear me talk about things like: [03:49] What determines how much page space your romance gets, where its big turning points belong, and how tightly it ties to your plot.  [08:07] Why forced proximity needs to do more than keep your characters together if you want the shift in their relationship to feel believable. [10:25] How falling in love with the other person can force your characters to confront beliefs and fears they might otherwise never question. [15:02] What creates that delicious tension when the reader can see the romantic possibility long before the characters are ready to admit it. [19:38] The test that can prove whether your enemies to lovers relationship has actually evolved—or if your characters are about to fall back into their old patterns. Whether enemies to lovers is your main romance or a romantic subplot in another genre, this episode will help you build the progression from conflict to love that makes readers believe these two unlikely characters belong together. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Learn About Notes to Novel Understanding the 5 Dimensions of GenreHow to Develop Your Character’s BackstoryHow to Craft Romantic Chemistry & Tension3 Ways to Figure Out the Theme of Your Story5 Steps To Start Planning Your Book Series⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  3. Aug 18

    #261. 5 Mistakes Writers Make Using the Save the Cat! Beat Sheet

    If you’re using the Save the Cat! beat sheet to outline your novel but your story still feels flat, disconnected, or hard to draft, one of these five common mistakes may be the reason why. The Save the Cat! beat sheet is a popular story structure framework because it gives fiction writers fifteen clear landmarks to plot toward. But filling in all fifteen beats doesn’t automatically give you a story that works. In this episode, I’m breaking down five mistakes writers make when using the Save the Cat! beat sheet—and what to think about instead so you can build a stronger, more connected novel outline. You’ll hear me talk about things like: [03:10] Why jumping straight into the Save the Cat! beat sheet can leave you with plot points that technically fit the framework but don’t feel rooted in your story. [05:35] Why having the “right” story beats in the “right” places isn’t enough—and what keeps a novel from feeling like a series of disconnected events. [10:00] Why fifteen beats do not equal fifteen scenes, and how misunderstanding the difference between a beat sheet and a scene-by-scene outline can distort your story. [12:50] The Fun and Games mistake that can leave you stuck in the middle, scrambling to figure out what should happen next. [16:30] The often-missed internal side of Bad Guys Close In (and how it can give your All Is Lost moment much more emotional weight). If you use Save the Cat! Writes a Novel for plotting or outlining, this episode will help you understand what the framework is actually designed to do—so you can use it to support your story instead of forcing your story into fifteen boxes. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Notes to NovelEp. 47 - Save the Cat! The Beginning BeatsEp. 48 - Save the Cat! The Middle Beats (Part One)Ep. 49 - Save the Cat! The Middle Beats (Part Two)Ep. 50 - Save the Cat! The Ending BeatsGrab your free Save the Cat! Plotting Guide⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  4. Aug 11

    #260. Student Spotlight: From Stuck at 25k Words to a Finished Draft With Lindsay Sfara

    After stalling out on a draft she'd already outlined chapter by chapter, Lindsay Sfara discovered the story development work that has to come before an outline—and turned that stuck manuscript into a published debut novel. Today I'm chatting with Lindsay Sfara, superhero fantasy author of Aero Knights: Origins and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how developing her story before outlining it finally helped her finish the book she'd been trying to write for years. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like: [07:15] Why her outline looked complete but left her with no idea what to write next (and the plotting advice that made it worse)[09:45] The relief of finally knowing what her book was really about underneath the plot—and how it shaped the character development for all three of her leads[15:07] How she turned a list of disconnected events into an outline where each scene set up the next[17:41] The simple question Lindsay kept asking about her antagonist that helped her come up with ideas for conflict in the messy middle[23:04] What happened when she sent her draft to beta readers before hiring a developmental editor (and what she'd do differently next time)If you're currently stuck in an outline or a first draft, Lindsay's story proves the problem probably isn't your talent, your motivation, or your idea. Press play to hear what her outline was missing—and how to build the same foundation under yours. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Aero Knights: Origins by Lindsay SfaraLindsay Sfara's websiteFollow Lindsay on InstagramJoin Lindsay's writing streams on TwitchJoin the Notes to Novel waitlist⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  5. Aug 4

    #259. How to Finish a Novel With Kids at Home & Limited Writing Time

    You don't need a perfect writing schedule (or a quiet house) to finish your novel. Here are five ways to keep making real progress on your book with kids at home and barely any free time. If you've been telling yourself you'll write the book "when things settle down," I've got some news: when you're raising kids, things rarely settle down on command.  And if finishing your novel depends on reaching a season when no one needs you, it could stay unwritten for years. The good news is you don't actually need more time. You just need a way of writing that fits the life you already have. In this episode, I'm walking you through five shifts that help you use small pockets of time, find your way back after interruptions, and let imperfect progress count—so you can finish your novel without waiting until the kids are grown. You'll hear me talk about things like: [03:26] The one thing to figure out before you sit down, so a short window goes toward writing instead of remembering where you left off. [06:53] Why waiting for a long, uninterrupted session is quietly keeping your book unwritten—and what you can actually get done in 15 minutes. [10:39] Why "consistency" doesn't mean a daily streak (and the definition that survives sick days, school breaks, and hard months). [14:20] How to let messy, imperfect pages count so perfectionism stops eating your limited writing time. [18:20] The permission most writing parents are quietly waiting for—and why you don't have to earn it before you write. After more than a decade of coaching fiction writers, I've watched people finish books in the margins of full, busy lives—raising young kids, working demanding jobs, moving through hard seasons. They didn't find more hours in the day; they changed the way they write—and you can too. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Get on the Notes to Novel waitlist.From Zero Drafts to Dream Agent While Raising 4 Kids With Madi UnruhHow J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months (With Two Kids and In 15 Minutes at a Time)Why She Ditched Her Agent And Self-Published Her Debut Novel With Stefanie Medrek⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  6. Jul 28

    #258. 5 Myths Keeping You From Finishing Your First Draft

    If you keep working on your novel but never seem to get closer to “The End,” these five novel writing myths may explain why—and show you what to do differently. If you've been working on the same novel for months (or years), you've probably wondered why you still can't seem to finish it. Maybe you've blamed your schedule, your motivation, or your talent. Or maybe you've started to wonder if you're just not cut out for this. But what if the real reason you're stuck is none of those things? In this episode, I'm walking through the five most common novel writing myths I see holding writers back, and what's actually true instead. You'll see why getting stuck usually isn't a time, talent, or idea problem, it's a process problem, and why that's genuinely good news. You'll hear me talk about things like: [02:00] Why more time, motivation, and discipline almost never fix the real problem, and the one thing that actually makes the time you have useful. [04:39] The difference between learning that moves your story forward and learning that's quietly become a way of avoiding the page.  [07:57] Why beautiful writing and good storytelling aren't the same thing, and which one actually gets a first draft finished.  [11:14] The trap of trying to get every part of your story right on the first pass, and how to build a novel in layers instead.  [15:13] What getting stuck is actually telling you, and why it's information you can use, not a verdict on you or your idea. Whether you've been blaming your schedule, buying another craft book, or quietly wondering if you're cut out for this, this episode will help you see your stuck points differently, as something you can actually solve, one decision at a time. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Get on the Notes to Novel waitlist.Ep. 203 - Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (& What to Do Instead)Ep. 207 - What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  7. Jul 21

    #257. Stuck in Chapter One or the Messy Middle? What Your Stuck Point Reveals

    Stuck writing your novel? Wherever your draft stalls out—chapter one, 20,000 words, the messy middle—that spot isn't random. It's a clue that tells you exactly what your story is missing. Almost every writer who gets stuck while drafting a novel assumes the same thing: that hitting a wall means something about them. That they're not disciplined enough, they're not a "real" writer, or they simply don't have what it takes to finish a book. But getting stuck isn't a verdict on you as a writer. In fact, it's valuable information you can use to your advantage. Because the exact place where you lose momentum may just reveal the missing piece in your story's foundation. And the good news is that those gaps are fixable. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three most common places writers get stuck while drafting a novel, what each one reveals about your story, and how to fix the underlying issue so you can move forward without anything holding you back.  You'll hear me talk about things like: [00:54] Why getting stuck doesn't mean you're a bad writer (and how your stall gives you valuable information about your story). [02:27] Why writers get stuck in chapter one and how to tell when you have a situation instead of a fully developed story. [05:16] The real reason many writers hit a wall around 20,000 words (and the missing piece that keeps Act 1 from moving into Act 2). [08:32] Why the messy middle feels impossible to write when your antagonist isn't creating enough pressure and conflict. [13:42] How Stefanie, Cheryl, and Gina found the missing pieces in their stories, broke through their sticking points, and went on to finish and publish their novels. Getting stuck isn't proof that you're not meant to write your book. It's a sign that your story is asking you to strengthen something underneath the surface. And when you know what's missing, you can go back, build the foundation, and move forward with a story that can actually support a full-length novel. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Get on the Notes To Novel Waitlist Ep. 206 - Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One YearEp. 189 - Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl ArkoEp. 71 - Student Spotlight: How She Wrote a Novel in 6 Months (and Landed an Agent 10 Months Later) with Stefanie Medrek⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

  8. Jul 14

    #256. Why “Just Start Writing” Can Be Terrible Advice for New Writers

    Everyone tells you to just start writing. Nobody tells you when. And if you keep starting your novel and stalling out a few chapters in, that missing piece might be exactly why. “Just start writing” is one of the most common pieces of writing advice out there, and for some writers, it's exactly what they need to hear. But if you're a brand-new writer who's still figuring out your story, following this advice too soon can leave you stuck, overwhelmed, and wondering why your first draft keeps falling apart. In this episode, I'm breaking down why "just start writing" isn't bad advice—it's just incomplete. You'll learn when this advice helps, when it hurts, and how to tell if your story foundation is strong enough to draft with confidence rather than guesswork. You'll hear me talk about things like: [01:20] Why "just start writing" works for some writers but quietly sabotages others before they ever finish a first draft. [02:19] The two very different ways new writers get stuck and how to tell which one sounds most like you. [05:01] The difference between productive story development and fear disguised as endless preparation. [06:20] The foundational story elements you need before drafting, so every writing session feels purposeful rather than overwhelming. [09:42] How to know when you've planned enough and it's finally time to stop preparing and start writing. Whether you've been rewriting the same opening chapter, abandoning more drafts than you can count, or "getting ready" to write for months, this episode will help you understand how to build enough story clarity to draft with direction instead of confusion. Because the goal isn't to choose between planning forever and drafting blindly—it's knowing when you've built the foundation your story needs so you can finally finish your novel.  🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Get on the Notes to Novel WaitlistEp. 203 - Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead)Ep. 225 - Madi: From Zero Drafts to Dream Agent While Raising 4 Kids Ep. 228 - How Poornika Finished Her First Draft in 88 Days Ep. 239 - How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Notes to Novel is OPEN for enrollment until September 4th at midnight PT. Click here to learn more and enroll → FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show

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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

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