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

Five writers. Five different starting points. One clear framework that turned stalled first drafts into steady progress. In today’s episode, I’m sharing real stories from five Notes to Novel students who were stuck in very different ways but wanted the same thing: clarity and forward momentum on their novels. You'll hear from writers who were buried in craft books, sitting on drafts that didn...

Discover how three Notes to Novel™ students stopped guessing their way through drafting and built steady, sustainable momentum toward a finished first draft. In this short bonus episode, I'm sharing three real case studies from past Notes to Novel students who were all stuck in different ways but wanted the same thing: to finish their first draft.  You’ll hear how each writer went from stalle...

If you've been working on your novel for months—or even years—without making real progress, this episode will help you understand why. Maybe you've started multiple books but never finished one. Maybe you sit down to write and have no idea what to work on. Or maybe you keep rewriting the same chapters over and over, hoping clarity will finally come. Here's what I want you to know: t...

Learn how a self-proclaimed perfectionist wrote a 114,000-word first draft in just 88 days—while working full-time and without finding more hours in the day. Poornika didn't have endless hours to write. She had two hours a night after work, some longer weekend sessions, and a chronic illness that sometimes forced her to step away completely. And yet, she finished her novel in 88 days—and went...

If you've been trying to write a novel with a full-time job, family, and everything else life throws at you, this episode is for you. Maybe you squeeze writing into nights or weekends. You may start strong, then lose momentum when things don't go as planned. Or perhaps you keep telling yourself you’ll take your writing seriously when you have more time. In this episode, I’m sharing five...

The best writing advice sticks because it changes how you approach the page. In this special year-end episode, I’m counting down the top 10 most impactful writing tips from Fiction Writing Made Easy in 2025, pulled from this year's most listened-to episodes. These are the lessons writers kept coming back to. The ones that helped them stop second-guessing, get unstuck in the middle, and finall...

Learn how a busy parent finished a novel by following a clear roadmap that made it possible to pause, return, and keep moving forward. Between raising four kids, navigating pregnancy and newborn life, and juggling everything that comes with being a busy parent, Madi didn't exactly have ideal writing conditions. And yet, she finished her novel. In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Madi, a...

What if the reason you haven't started writing your novel has nothing to do with how much you know? “I’m not ready yet” is one of the most common things I hear from writers. And on the surface, it makes sense. You want to feel prepared before starting something as big as writing a novel. But not feeling ready usually has very little to do with knowledge. More often, the root cause is a lack o...

Unlock the clarity you need to write smoothly, avoid constant restarts, and finish a stronger first draft in less time. If you've ever tried to draft quickly and ended up with pages that feel unsalvageable, this episode will help you understand why that happens and what to do instead.  You'll learn what makes fast drafting possible, how clarity speeds up your process, and why a little pr...

Discover why “I’m not ready yet” is a fear-driven mindset and learn how to take small, confident steps that move your novel forward. So many writers get trapped in the feeling that they need more time, more research, or more clarity before they can truly start their first draft. And on the surface, that sounds reasonable. But most of the time, “I’m not ready yet” is a sign that you're scared...

Discover the mindset shifts to break out of analysis paralysis, choose progress over perfection, and build your novel layer by layer until it's complete. Feeling stuck writing your novel? You're not alone. Most writers think they're struggling because they don't have enough time, talent, or discipline. But more often than not, the real issue is actually mindset. In fact, it&apo...

Discover five practical line editing strategies that sharpen your prose, strengthen emotional clarity, and make each sentence more purposeful on the page. Line editing can feel intimidating, especially if you're not sure where to begin or how to make meaningful improvements at the sentence level. And if you've ever tried refining lines before your scenes are clear and working, you know h...

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 th...

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 detail...

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...

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...

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 episo...

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...

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 o...

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 con...

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 hel...

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...

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...

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, n...

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...