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Artwork for Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo

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

Savannah Gilbo
Character Development
Writing Process
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Story Structure
Fiction Writing
Writing
Notes To Novel
Self-Publishing
Novel Writing
Perfectionism
Book Marketing
World Building
Outlining
Creative Writing
Story Grid
Point Of View
Voldemort
Time Management
Plot Structure
Creativity

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.... more

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Artwork for Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo

Latest Episodes

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... more

Can a lifelong discovery writer write faster and embrace structure without losing the magic? Bestselling author Grace Draven wrote 62,000 words in 21 days and says absolutely.

In this episode, Grace shares how the tools and mindset shifts she picked... more

Learn how to outline your novel using the Hero’s Journey—without mistaking this classic framework for a complete story blueprint.

The Hero’s Journey is one of the most widely recognized story frameworks out there. But knowing the twelve stages—like ... more

If your protagonist feels vivid in your head but flat on the page, this episode will help you diagnose what’s missing—and fix the specific piece of character development that will make readers care.

You know your main character. Their backstory, the... more

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Recent Guests

Sheila Ortego
Participant in Notes to Novel, shared her experience with planning and outlining
Episode: #251. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 8)
Liz Aarons
Pediatrician and writer who describes adopting plotting and the placeholder technique
Episode: #251. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 8)
Hanna Gerling
Writer of crime fiction with thriller elements, uses framework to check scene completeness
Episode: #251. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 8)
Nikki Peterson
Writer who rebuilt her antagonist three times to awaken her protagonist
Episode: #251. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 8)
Brady Gwynn
Author of upmarket historical fantasy, explores imposter syndrome and the heart behind the work
Episode: #251. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 8)
Gala Russ
Book coach and publishing strategist; pen name Willa Drew; author of romance novels
Self-published author (Willa Drew)
Episode: #250. Why Your First Draft Doesn't Match the Book in Your Head (with Gala Russ)
Danyel Nicole
Founder of Map Your Story Studios; Notes to Novel graduate
Map Your Story Studios
Episode: #246. Story Mapping: How to Map Your Novel With Sticky Notes (With Danyel Nicole)
Jackie Heninger
Author publishing under the pen name JJ. Henley; mom of two, former teacher, romance/thriller writer
Episode: #239. Student Spotlight: How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months (With Two Kids and In 15 Minutes at a Time)
Beth Barany
Science fiction and fantasy novelist, creativity coach for writers, and podcaster
Beth Barany, author and creativity coach
Episode: #238. How to Market Your Book in a Way That Actually Feels Good (With Beth Barany)

Host

Savannah Gilbo
Host of Fiction Writing Made Easy

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.4k ratings
  • Wish I had found this earlier!

    I so wish I had found this podcast before I wrote the first draft of my novel, but at least it s being immensely helpful for revision and editing. I love that that the tips and recommendations are straight to the point in short episodes (and not having to listen to one-hour episode to maybe get one useful tip out of it).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Julianaric
    United Kingdom3 days ago
  • Great podcast

    This is one of the best writing podcasts I’ve ever heard!! This is really encouraging me to write my book. Thank you so much for this amazing podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    God’s-Daughter
    United States5 days ago
  • Value info for any writer

    I look forward to the release of every episode. Savannah Gilbo's advice and author interviews inspire me to improve my craft. As the author of seven independently published thriller and mystery novels and a full time gynecologist physician, I am currently pitching the completed manuscript of an eight thriller based on a true crime committed in the Deep South in the early 1980s. This episode detailing the Hero's Journey is particularly helpful to

    me in pulling together the acts and external/inter... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lovin' Podcasts
    United States12 days ago
  • Refreshingly practical

    My aunt introduced me to this podcast. While bouncing wild ideas off other writers and obsessing over the perfect in-world detail is fun, it's so refreshing to have a practical voice to help when it comes down to the actual process. Thanks so much for being that voice! :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rilla Frost
    United States15 days ago
  • Obsessed

    This show is incredible- detailed game plans for sorting all sorts of writer problems, perfect at any stage- writing, editing, publishing. I have listened to over 30 episodes so far and plan to listen to most- while I incorporate these lessons into editing my novella! Thanks for this podcast!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Secrox
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and episodes are consistently helpful for finishing a manuscript.
Listeners find the host's explanations clear and actionable.
Content is practical and stays focused on craft rather than marketing hype.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#31
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#25
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#31
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#68
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#85
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#250. Why Your First Draft Doesn't Match the Book in Your Head (with Gala Russ)
Q: Gala, where can people go to find you on the Internet? Do you have a free gift for listeners today?
Gala shares her website and social handles, highlights Instagram as a primary contact point, and mentions a free Write Your Novel Check-in workbook designed to diagnose progress and reorient writers who are returning to their projects.
#250. Why Your First Draft Doesn't Match the Book in Your Head (with Gala Russ)
Q: A lot of things. Yeah, we're going to dive off the deep end today, but before we get into that, can you in your own words introduce yourself to my audience and let us know who you are, what you do, and things like that?
Gala introduces herself as a book coach and publishing strategist who diagnostically applies craft insights to manuscripts and helps writers decide between traditional and self-publishing paths, drawing on her experience of publishing nine books under her pen name and coaching others toward publication.
#248. From Meet-Cute to HEA: How to Connect the Key Scenes of Your Romance Novel
Q: Should the meet-cute happen on page one or later in the book?
It depends on the story; in some romances, the meet-cute can occur very early to set up romance quickly, while in others you can delay it to allow stronger external plot setup or character work, as long as the romance is clearly established and the couple begins moving toward each other.
#243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
Q: What are common line-edit issues to look for and address?
Common issues include clarity problems, weak word choices, inconsistent rhythm or tone across multiple viewpoints, and pacing that doesn't match the scene. Editors provide targeted comments and track changes to help writers fix these areas while maintaining their voice and the story's momentum.
#243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
Q: How do writers find and evaluate the right line editor?
Writers should seek referrals, review portfolios across genres, and request a sample edit to gauge fit, communication, and whether the editor respects the writer's voice. A sample edit also helps writers see how feedback is delivered and whether the editor provides useful rationale for suggested changes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on practical fiction-writing craft, offering clear, actionable steps for drafting, structuring, world-building, and revising. Episodes regularly dissect scene construction, character development, and narrative momentum, often illustrating concepts with concrete examples and hands-on exercises. Guests range from editors and writing coaches to authors experimenting with innovative methods (including AI-assisted approaches), with a steady emphasis on finishing a manuscript, refining craft, and navigating publishing options with integrity. A standout aspect is the recurring focus on practical workflows (like story mapping, revision programs, and sustainable writing habits) that listeners can directly apply to their own project... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
4. Writing Excuses
5. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 272 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Sheila Ortego
2. Liz Aarons
3. Hanna Gerling
4. Nikki Peterson
5. Brady Gwynn
6. Gala Russ
7. Danyel Nicole
8. Jackie Heninger

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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