Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
Fiction Writing Made Easy is a creative writing podcast hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo. It offers practical, no-fluff tips on how to write, edit, and publish a novel, from first draft to finished book. The show breaks down the fiction writing process into clear, actionable steps for first-time authors, aspiring novelists, and seasoned writers. Listeners learn how to develop premises, structure plots, create compelling characters, write stronger scenes, world-build without infodumping, revise drafts, and navigate publishing options.
Episodes
#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
#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
#259. How to Finish a Novel With Kids at Home & Limited Writing Time
FREE TRAINING: Why You Keep Getting Stuck & How to Finally Finish Your Novel - Join me LIVE to learn 3 secrets for turning your ideas into a complete first draft—without getting stuck in the middle, constantly second-guessing, or spending years rewriting instead of finishing. Save your seat here. FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from st
#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 sta
#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&q
#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 sto
#255. Student Spotlight: How Grace Draven Learned to Write Faster (Without Sacrificing Quality)
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 up from The Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast helped her write faster, avoid massive rewrites, and finish one of her strongest books, The Moon Raven—dr
#254. How to Outline Your Novel With the Hero’s Journey
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 the Ordinary World, the Call to Adventure, the Ordeal, and the Return with the Elixir—isn’t the same as knowing where those stages belong in a full-leng
#253. 5 Common Mistakes That Make Your Character Feel Flat
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, their childhood, the exact way they take their coffee. You could talk about them for an hour. So why do they still feel flat on the page?When this happens,
#252. Value Shifts: How to Tell if a Scene Is Working (or Falling Flat)
If you’ve got a scene that feels flat and you can’t figure out why, this episode will help you diagnose what’s really going on—so you know whether the scene is working, needs strengthening, or may not belong in your story at all.You know that feeling when a scene just isn’t quite working, but you can’t put your finger on why? The sentences are clean. The dialogue sounds right. Line by line, it rea
#251. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 8)
What does it look like to go from feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your novel…to finally making real progress?In this episode, I'm sharing five clips from past Notes to Novel students who all came into the program stuck in different ways—overwhelmed by story structure, trapped in research rabbit holes, or sitting on drafts that existed on paper, but still weren't clicking. And
#250. Why Your First Draft Doesn't Match the Book in Your Head (with Gala Russ)
A book coach who's written 15 novels pulls back the curtain on what's really happening when your messy first draft disappoints you. Ever finished a chapter, read it back, and realized the words on the page don't match the story in your head? There's a name for that. It's called the “taste gap,” and it often shows up among serious, lifelong readers. In this episode, I sit d
#249. 5 POV Mistakes That Pull Readers Out of Your Story
Most fiction writers are making at least one of these point of view mistakes. Find out which one could be hiding in your draft.You know that feeling when a scene isn't quite working, but you can't put your finger on why? Your pacing, dialogue, and structure all seem fine. And yet something is still off. Nine times out of ten, the culprit is POV.In this episode, I'm walking you throu
#248. From Meet-Cute to HEA: How to Connect the Key Scenes of Your Romance Novel
Learn how to write the lead-up and reaction scenes between your key romance plot points so your story flows naturally from meet-cute to HEA without stalling in the middle.You know what your meet-cute looks like. You know there's a breakup coming. You can already feel the happily ever after. So why does everything in between feel impossible to write? That's exactly what we're digging
#247. 5 Secrets to Writing YA Fiction (That Actually Feels Like YA)
Learn the five craft secrets to writing young adult fiction that actually feels like YA—so when you sit down to write your own, you know exactly what to aim for.You know what YA feels like when a book is doing it right. The voice pulls you in. The protagonist's world feels enormous and immediate. You finish the book before you remember to put it down. The hard part is being able to do that yo
#246. Story Mapping: How to Map Your Novel With Sticky Notes (With Danyel Nicole)
What if getting stuck on your novel has nothing to do with your story and everything to do with HOW you're seeing it? Story mapping coach Danyel Nicole found that out firsthand.When Danyel's first draft started to feel off, she got up from her desk one night, grabbed butcher paper and sticky notes, and mapped out her entire story on the wall in her hallway. Within an hour, she could fina
#245. 5 Ways to Show Worldbuilding in Your Novel Without Info-Dumping
Master these 5 worldbuilding techniques to immerse readers in your fictional world without infodumping or overwhelming them.If you've ever sat down to write a scene and ended up with three paragraphs of explanation before anything actually happens, you're not alone. Most writers don't info dump because they're bad at worldbuilding—they do it because they love the world they&apo
#244. How to Create Characters Readers Will Love (5 Essential Elements)
Readers don't fall in love with likable characters. They fall in love with characters who want something specific, stand to lose something personal, and can't quite get out of their own way. Here's how to build one.Think about the last time you truly fell in love with a fictional character. Not just related to them—but actually stayed up past midnight because you needed to know they
#243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
What does line editing actually involve, and is your manuscript ready for it? Here's everything you need to know.Line editing is a stage in the revision process that can feel really confusing, especially if you're not sure how it's different from developmental editing, copy editing, or proofreading.So in today's episode, I brought in two people who know this topic inside and ou
#242. 5 Revision Mistakes That Keep Writers Stuck in Editing Hell
You finished your first draft. And for a minute, it felt amazing. But then you open your manuscript to revise, and suddenly everything feels unclear.Where do you start? What do you fix first? And how do you know if anything you're changing is actually making your story better?And at a certain point, it starts to feel like the problem might be your draft. But most of the time, it's not. I
#241. Do You Really Need to Hire a Book Editor Before You Query?
Discover why the answer to hiring a book editor before querying isn’t a simple yes or no—and how to make the right call for your manuscript.If you've finished your draft and you're thinking about querying literary agents, you've probably seen this advice: don't hire an editor before you query.And while that's not wrong, it's also not the full picture.Because the real
#240. 10 Writing Mistakes That Make Readers Put Down Your Novel
Are you revising the same chapters over and over, but nothing you change is actually fixing the problem?Most writers go straight to the prose when their story isn't working. They tighten sentences, swap out words, and reread the same chapter over and over. And still, something feels off. But most first-draft problems don't occur at the sentence level. They occur at the story level.In thi
#239. Student Spotlight: How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months (With Two Kids and In 15 Minutes at a Time)
She wrote her first novel in 15-minute increments—in drive-through lines, at the dance studio, at swim lessons—while raising two kids and walking through one of the hardest seasons of her family's life. And she finished her book. That's Jackie Henley's (pen name J.J. Henley) story, and I wanted to bring her onto the podcast because I know so many of you feel like life keeps getting
#238. How to Market Your Book in a Way That Actually Feels Good (With Beth Barany)
Learn how to market your book in a way that aligns with your values, builds genuine reader connections, and feels sustainable instead of draining.Book Marketing. These two words make most writers want to close their laptops and hide forever. But what if it didn't have to feel that way?In this episode, I'm joined by award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist and certified creativi
#237. 3 Signs Your Novel Doesn't Need a Prologue (& What To Do Instead)
You wrote a prologue for your novel. But now you're wondering if you really need it. Here are three honest signs your story might actually be stronger without one.Writing a prologue feels like the right move until you're three drafts in and still not sure if it's actually helping your story or just sitting there, taking up space at the front of your book. And the tricky part is that
#236. The Truth About AI and Creative Writing with Ana Del Valle
Is AI here to replace novelists, steal ideas, or ruin copyright forever? Let’s separate fear from facts.AI and creative writing are among the most debated topics in the publishing industry right now. Some writers are excited, while others are feeling cautious. And many are wondering what's actually true about AI, copyright law, idea theft, and querying agents.In this episode, I sit down with
#235. Scene Structure Made Easy: The 5 Essential Elements Every Scene Needs
Learn the 5 key elements every scene needs to move your story forward and keep readers turning pages.Scene structure doesn't have to be complicated. Sure, there are many methods out there, such as Story Grid's Five Commandments, Dwight Swain's Scene and Sequel, and James Scott Bell's LOCK system. And if you've tried learning from more than one method, it can feel like ever
#234. How to Build A Sustainable Writing Practice With Dr. Bailey Lang
Master the 8 Habits of Mind to build a sustainable, joyful writing practice that helps you finish your book without burnout or self-sabotage.Building a writing practice shouldn't feel like pushing a boulder uphill. But so many writers get stuck dealing with imposter syndrome, fighting writer's block, and wondering why their routine keeps falling apart.That’s why in this episode, I sit do
#233. 5 Secrets to Writing Dialogue That Sounds Natural
Master the art of writing natural-sounding dialogue by learning how to remove unnecessary lines, shape distinct character voices, and write conversations that feel purposeful on the page.If your dialogue feels stiff or flat, even when the conversation itself seems clear, there’s usually a specific reason for that.And it's not because you're bad at dialogue.In most cases, it comes down to
#232. 5 Tips For Crafting Morally Gray Characters Readers Love
Discover the five craft techniques that make morally gray characters impossible to put down—so you can write complex, compelling figures readers will argue about, defend, and love despite everything.Morally gray characters are some of the most memorable in fiction. Think Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones), Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows), Severus Snape (Harry Potter), or Amy Dunne (Gone Girl). These ar
#231. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 7) - Part 2
Discover how five Notes to Novel students stopped guessing their way through drafts by planning and outlining their stories with a clear structure.In this Student Spotlight episode, you’ll hear from five Notes to Novel students who entered the program actively writing, but couldn’t see why their drafts weren't working or how to fix them.Each case study shows what changed once these writers ha
#230. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 7) - Part 1
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’t
Bonus: From Stuck to Steady: How 3 Writers Found Their Drafting Rhythm
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 stalled,
#229. 5 Signs Your Writing Process Is Broken (And How to Fix It)
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: thi
#228. Student Spotlight: How She Finished Her First Draft in 88 Days (While Working Full-Time) With Poornika Kakkanaiah
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
#227. 5 Tips on Pursuing Your Writing While Holding Down a 9-to-5 Job
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 pr
#226. Counting Down The Best Writing Tips From FWME In 2025
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 finally
#225. Student Spotlight: From Zero Drafts to Dream Agent While Raising 4 Kids With Madi Unruh
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 f
Bonus: From Overwhelmed to Outlining: How 3 Writers Finally Started Their Novels
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 of
#224. The Truth About Writing Faster: It's Not What You Think
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 prep
#223. Permission to Start: How to Move Past ‘Not Ready Yet’ and Finish Your Novel
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 t
#222. 3 Mindset Shifts Every Writer Needs to Finish Their Novel
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&apos
#221. 5 Line Editing Tips to Make Your Prose Shine
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 ho
#220. How to Build an Author Platform (Even if You're an Introvert) with Shelby Leigh
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 the
#219. How To Build Story Tension by Sharing More (Not Less) with Daniel David Wallace
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 details ca
#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript
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? A
#217. Save the Cat! Writes Horror: How to Write Truly Terrifying Stories With Jamie Nash
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 and
#216. Story Structure: The 5 Scenes Every Story Needs (With Kristina Stanley)
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 episode
#215. How to Write a Prologue Readers Won’t Skip (& When to Start at Chapter One Instead)
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 it
#214. Subverting the Mainstream Lens: Writing Stories That Stay True to Your People (With Tiffany Grimes)
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 of
#213. 5 Expert Tips To Edit Your Messy First Draft Without The Overwhelm
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 confu
#212. 5 Ways Writers Can Use AI to Help With Book Marketing
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 help
#211. How to Write Romantasy Power Couples Readers Obsess Over With Jenna Moreci
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
#210. 5 Tips For Writing A Multiple POV Novel Without Confusing Your Readers
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 dep
#209. How to Revise Your Novel Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind) With Alice Sudlow
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, nev
#208. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 6)
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 w
#207. What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works
Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve started writing, but something feels... off. The story isn’t coming together the way you imagined, and you’re not sure why.You’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this because they’re missing the foundational elements that make a story work. It’s not about writing beautiful sentences or having a bril
#206. Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One Year
After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece that helped her finish writing not just one novel, but two books in a single year.Today I'm chatting with Gina Elizabeth, indie fantasy romance author of the Bonded in Blood series (and Notes to Novel graduate!), about her transformation from someone who couldn't finish a book to a published
Bonus: Plotting for Pantsers: How 3 Writers Found Freedom in Story Structure
The myth that plotting kills creativity is keeping countless discovery writers stuck in an endless cycle of abandoned manuscripts—but what if structure could actually set your creativity free?If you're a pantser convinced that outlining will ruin your creative process, or you've been discovery writing through multiple unfinished manuscripts, this episode will change how you think about s
#205. How Story Structure Can Free Your Creativity and Help You Finish Your Novel
The myth of "writing free" is keeping talented writers stuck on Chapter One. Here's why story structure actually enhances creativity—and how to use it to finally finish your novel.You've been told that outlining kills creativity. That real writers don't need structure. That planning your novel will turn it into a formulaic mess. But what if everything you believe about sto
#204. Student Spotlight: Why Overlearning Is Holding You Back: Neroli Lacey’s Journey to Publishing Success
After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Neroli Lacey discovered that too much knowledge was actually keeping her stuck—until she learned to implement instead of accumulate.Today I'm chatting with Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer's Secret (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, International Book Awards Winner, and National Indie Excellenc
Bonus: How 3 Perfectionists Finally Broke Free & Finished Their First Drafts
What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent or time?"I need to get this right before I move on" keeps aspiring authors stuck forever. But here's what I've discovered... Perfectionism isn't about having high standards. It's about fear. Fear of judgment, failure, or not being "good enough."In this episode, y
#203. Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead)
All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't finish your novel. Here's what's really happening—and the simple shift that changes everything.You know that browser folder labeled "Writing Advice"? The one with 147 articles about plot structure and 83 posts on character development? Yeah, that one. What if I told you it's ac
#202. Student Spotlight: How Kara Kentley Turned a Messy Draft Into a Published Romance (and How You Can Too)
After years of rewriting the same sagging middle and juggling two confusing timelines, Kara Kentley discovered the romance structure secrets that transformed her messy draft into a published novel that sells daily.Today I'm chatting with Kara Kentley, contemporary romance author of Another Summer and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how learning genre expectations finally helped her finish th
Bonus: Making Time To Write: How 3 Busy Writers Finished Their First Drafts
What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in your day?"I don't have time to write" might be the most common excuse that stops aspiring authors before they even start. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of writers… It’s not about how much time you have that matters. It’s about what you do with your limited t
#201. The Time Myth: Why ‘Finding Time to Write’ Actually Makes It Harder
Feel stuck "finding time" to write your novel? You might be solving the wrong problem. Here's what's really going on—and what to do instead.Why does finding time to write feel impossible sometimes? We blame our busy schedules (and yes, that's definitely part of it). But there's something else lurking beneath the surface that stops your writing progress dead in its tra
Bonus: From Stuck to Breakthrough: How 3 Writers Found Their Path Forward
What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything?Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write, but have absolutely no idea how to
#200. Why Most Writers Give Up (And How to Finally Finish Your Novel)
Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you.If you've been dreaming about writing a novel but find yourself starting and stopping, getting stuck in the middle, or just staring at a blank page wondering where to even begin, you're not alone.Here's what I've noticed after working with hundreds of writers: the ones who actually f
#199. Struggling With Flat Characters? These 5 Books Will Transform Your Writing
Master character development with these five must-read books that transform static characters from boring to brilliant.You've created characters with compelling backstories, but somehow, they still feel... flat. They move through your plot but don't feel like real people.Here's the thing: character development is what makes readers fall in love with your story, not just read it. But
#198. Book Reviews: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Reader Feedback (With Emily Golden & Rachel May)
Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing dreams.Receiving your first book review can be both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Whether it's a glowing five-star love letter or a brutal one-star takedown, reader reviews can send even the most confident authors into an emotional tailspin.I recently sat down with book coaches Emil
#197. How to Write a Novel That Hooks Readers Through Curiosity (Not Confusion)
Master the art of creating irresistible, page-turning curiosity without confusing or frustrating your readers.Have you ever written what you thought was a brilliantly mysterious scene, only to have readers say they were completely lost? Or maybe you've struggled with knowing how much information to reveal and when?Here's what most writers don't realize: there's a fine line betw
#196. The Pros and Cons of Writing A Novel With Multiple Points of View
Discover the pros and cons of writing a novel from multiple POVs—including how to avoid the #1 mistake that kills multi-POV novels.Are multiple point-of-view characters right for your story? Will they create the kind of depth that keeps readers hooked, or will they just leave you with a tangled mess of voices that never quite click together?Writing a multi-POV novel is one of the most challenging
#195. How Deliberate Practice Can Improve Your Fiction Writing (With Tim Grahl)
Master the fundamental building block of fiction writing with this one exercise that's helped writers break through years of stalled progress in just weeks.Ever wonder why some writers seem to improve rapidly while others stay stuck for years, despite writing every single day? 🤔The difference isn't talent or luck—it's deliberate practice.Most aspiring novelists think that accumulati
#194. Self-Publishing Your Novel: A 10 Step Guide for First-Time Authors
Congratulations! You've finished writing your novel, and you've set your sights on self-publishing. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "Where do I start?" If you're feeling overwhelmed by the self-publishing process, you're not alone. Most first-time authors don't realize just how many decisions the self-publishing process involves. From c
#193. How Dictation Can Help You Write Faster With Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
Learn how dictation is your secret weapon for capturing story ideas, supporting overall health, and writing up to 3,000 words per hour.Are you curious about how dictation can improve your health and mobility, enhance your natural storytelling flow, and revolutionize your time management—even if you've tried and failed at it before? Well, then, you'll love this episode with Sarah Elisabet
#192. 5 Big-Picture First Draft Mistakes (& How To Fix Them)
Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn exactly what you can do to fix them.Congratulations, you finished your first draft! …But now what? If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed as you dive into editing your messy first draft, you're so not alone. As a developmental editor, I've reviewed hundreds of first drafts, and I've
#191. Fiction Genres Made Easy: Understanding the 5 Dimensions of Genre
Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your novel with clarity and confidence.Ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, excited about your story idea but utterly confused about how to describe its genre? 😩 This kind of uncertainty isn't just frustrating. It can have serious consequences for your writing, editing, and publishing jour
#190. Novel Editing: 10 Steps to Editing Your First Draft
Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?" Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. Or maybe you’re just avoi
#189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko
Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fiction novel after decades of dreaming about it.Are you stuck with half-finished manuscripts or endlessly revising the same chapters? Does your story refuse to translate from your imagination to the page the way you envision it?You're not alone. The very perfectionism that drives you to write can be
#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months.Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't know what you're doing." An
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