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Fiction Writing Made Easy

Savannah Gilbo

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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!
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01/11/22 • 13 min

In this episode, I'm sharing two of my favorite ways to test out a story idea before you start writing a single word. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode:
[01:50] The goal of these two exercises is to find out which foundational pieces of your story still need to be fleshed out. Better to find out now than halfway through a draft!
[01:10] Exercise #1: Write a 1-2 sentence summary of your story. Try to capture the WHO, the WHAT, and the WHY of your global story.
[04:45] If you don't know all the answers, look to your genre for clues! Your story's global genre will give you the framework for these summaries (and so much more).
[06:00] If an idea does fall flat in this 1-2 sentence summary, this does NOT mean the story idea isn't good. It just means there's more work to do to flesh out the foundational elements required to write a full-length story.
[06:30} Exercise #2: Write a 250-word (or less) summary of your story. Take your short summary and expand the WHO, the WHAT, and the WHY. Add details about your setting, too.
[08:00] An example of a summary from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
[11:20] Final thoughts and episode recapFollow & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you following my podcast? If not, I want to encourage you to do that today so that you don't miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not following the show, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to follow this show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a follower, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. These reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!
Links mentioned in this episode:

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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01/11/22 • 13 min

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03/15/22 • 40 min

In today’s extra special bonus episode, I'm sharing an interview I did earlier this year with Emma Dhesi for her Be A Bestseller Summit.
We talked about genre and how your story’s genre can help you write a story that works. And specifically, we dove into the thriller genre and talked about how the key scenes and conventions of the thriller genre show up in The Silence of the Lambs.
This was such a fun event to be a part of because it’s always fun to talk about writing, but also there were 25-30 other speakers who all shared their insights, tips, and strategies on the writing, editing, and publishing process., too.
The event is officially over, but you want to watch a replay of all the interviews, you can click here to purchase an All-Access Pass. Enjoy!

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you following my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a follower, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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03/15/22 • 40 min

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03/10/20 • 2 min

Weekly writing tips from a developmental editor and book coach.
My name is Savannah Gilbo and I'm a fiction editor and book coach. Every day, I help people, just like you, write, edit, and publish their books.
I started this podcast because I want to prove that writing a novel doesn't have to be scary and overwhelming. Every week, I'll bring you a brand new episode with simple, actionable, and step-by-step strategies that you can implement in your writing right away.
So, whether you're brand new to writing, or a more seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you! So pick up a pen and let's get started!
For more writing tips, or to learn more about the show, head on over to https://www.savannahgilbo.com.
P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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03/10/20 • 2 min

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12/14/21 • 17 min

In today’s episode, I'm sharing some of the lessons I learned from coaching writers this year. My hope is that these lessons will help you to keep moving forward with your work in the most efficient way possible. Here's a quick preview:
[01:15] Lesson #1: Most writers have trouble with the emotional layers of their stories. We need to properly learn how to convey our character's emotional reactions in order to successfully evoke emotions in readers.
[05:00] Lesson #2: It's not always going to be easier to write your second book than it was to write your first book. Even if you've "leveled up," you'll still need to go through the process of writing a messy first draft to discover your story. Think of it as practicing your craft.
[07:50] Lesson #3: It's important to speak up about what you want, what you think, and what's important to you--even if you're working with someone like a traditional publisher.
[10:45] Lesson #4: Most writers don't spend enough time developing their antagonist as they do their protagonist, and they should! Your antagonist provides the central conflict for your story, so they're just as important to flesh out and make three-dimensional.
[13:10] Lesson #5: It's so important to get to "The End" of your first draft because then, and only then, will you be able to see your story as a whole. The way forward will be so much easier once you see the big picture.

Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a subscriber, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!
Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Notes to Novel: Learn how to confidently write the first draft of a story you feel proud of (without the crippling self-doubt, frustration, and overwhelm that stops most writers in their tracks). Click here to get on the waitlist!

P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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12/14/21 • 17 min

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01/18/22 • 11 min

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In this episode, I'm sharing three tips for writing a first draft in 90 days. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode:
[01:35] How one of my Notes to Novel students, Jennifer, wrote a draft in 90 days (after creating a flexible, yet very fleshed out scene-by-scene outline)
[04:35] Tip #1: Block out the time and space on your calendar so that you'll actually have the time and space to write a first draft in 90 days.
[05:25] Tip #2: Accept that your first draft will be messy, but don't let that stop you from making forward progress. Use things like "details TK" to keep moving forward.
[07:00] Tip #3: Create a scene-by-scene outline for your story so that you have a roadmap to follow each time you sit down to write.
[09:25] Final thoughts and episode recapFollow & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you following my podcast? If not, I want to encourage you to do that today so that you don't miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not following the show, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to follow this show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a follower, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. These reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!
Links mentioned in this episode:

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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01/18/22 • 11 min

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Action Genre Conventions

Fiction Writing Made Easy

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02/15/22 • 20 min

In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the conventions of the action genre. I'm also going to show you how these conventions show up in the movie The Hunger Games. Here's a preview of what's included:
[01:25] Action stories are about life and death, and good versus evil. They’re about a character who has to rise up, overcome great obstacles, defeat forces of evil, and maybe even save the world. But that being said, these stories aren’t always about superheroes.
[02:35] Readers choose action stories to experience the excitement of the life and death stakes and situations that the protagonist is presented with. But it’s not just about that—we choose these stories because they inspire us to become the best versions of ourselves, too.
[03:35] Genre conventions are the character roles, settings, and micro-events that are specific to a genre. They’re what help us writers write a story that works AND evoke emotional reactions in our readers.
[04:50] #1 - The protagonist has a special talent or gift and the potential for heroism.
[06:55] #2 - The protagonist’s goal is to stop the antagonist and save victims.
[08:10] #3 - There are multiple lives at stake (including the protagonist’s).
[09:10] #4 - The antagonist is stronger and/or more powerful than the protagonist.
[10:25] #5 - The protagonist has a moral compass that the antagonist does not.
[11:50] #6 - There’s a speech in praise of the antagonist.
[13:00] #7 - There’s a MacGuffin (or a very specific thing the antagonist wants).
[13:50] #8 - There are sidekicks who help the protagonist save the victim/s.
[14:45] #9 - There’s at least one mentor figure who gives the protagonist guidance.
[15:25] #10 - There’s a ticking clock that puts pressure on the protagonist.
[17:05] Key points and episode recap.
Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you following my podcast? If not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not following the show there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to follow the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a follower, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!
Links mentioned in this episode:

P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction.

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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02/15/22 • 20 min

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03/17/20 • 23 min

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In this episode, we're going to talk about genre -- specifically how to choose the primary (or global) genre for your story. Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode:

  • [01:30] What's the difference between commercial genres and content genres (aka the reader's genre and the writer's genre)? And why you should care about BOTH.
  • [05:00] What's the difference between plot-driven stories and character-driven stories? And what are the 12 content genres?
  • [07:00] A special note for science fiction and fantasy authors (if you're writing speculative fiction, you don't want to miss this!)
  • [08:45] Why you need to choose one primary genre for your story -- and how this can actually make the writing, editing, and publishing process SO MUCH EASIER.
  • [09:45] 5 questions to help you choose the main genre for your story.
  • [17:30] Once you've identified your story's global genre, what's next? Here's a preview of how your story's genre can help you write a stronger first draft.
  • [20:30] Key points and episode recap.

Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a subscriber, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance--I really appreciate it!

Links mentioned in this episode:

P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

play

03/17/20 • 23 min

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03/17/20 • 13 min

In this episode, we're going to talk about how to choose between multiple story ideas, or how to decide which story idea to write next. Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode:

  • [01:20] Two reasons why taking the time to flesh out your story ideas before you start writing a single word will save you time, energy, and frustration.
  • [02:15] 5 questions to help you decide between two or more story ideas.
  • [03:15] An example from a real-life writer who was torn between a "for fun" romance novel and a "more serious" memoir. "Which one should I choose?"
  • [06:15] What happens when your idea doesn't have enough "meat" to support a full-length novel (hint: it almost always has to do with a lack of conflict).
  • [07:30] What's the difference between a topic and an idea? And how do you determine whether you have a topic (aka part of an idea) or an actual story idea?
  • [08:50] If you have a topic, you can turn it into an idea that can support a full-length novel by asking yourself these key questions.
  • [10:00] What's next? Here's how identifying your genre can help you further flesh out your idea and understand your next steps.
  • [10:40] Key points and episode recap.

Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a subscriber, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance--I really appreciate it!

Links mentioned in this episode:

P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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03/17/20 • 13 min

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Save the Cat! The Beginning Beats

Fiction Writing Made Easy

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06/22/21 • 25 min

In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the beginning beats of Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! (STC!) beat sheet so that you can efficiently outline (or write) your novel. Here's a preview of what's included:
[01:05] The STC! method highlights 15 “beats” or plot points that each has a specific purpose and serves a particular function within your global story.
[02:25] The average novel is about 80k words, and this section is about 20k of them. If you write 1,500-word scenes, you're looking at about 14 scenes here.
[03:15] Some of the beats are single scene beats while others are multi-scene beats.
[03:55] Beat #1 is the opening image which is a single scene beat that shows a “before” snapshot of the protagonist’s life and the flawed world that he or she lives in.
[06:10] Beat #2 is the theme stated which is another single scene beat where someone hints at the theme or what the protagonist will learn by the end of the story.
[08:15] Beat #3 is the setup which is a multi-scene beat where readers get to see what the protagonist’s life and world are like–flaws and all. It’s also where important supporting characters and the protagonist’s initial goal are introduced.[011:30] Beat #4 is the catalyst which is a single scene beat where a life-changing event happens to the protagonist and catapults him or her into a new world or a new way of thinking.
[13:50] Beat #5 is the debate which is a multi-scene beat where the protagonist debates what he or she will do next. This will take up the second half of the beginning section of your story.
[16:40] Beat #6 is the break into two which is a single scene beat that acts as the bridge between act one and act two. Here, the protagonist decides to accept the call to adventure and leave their comfort zone, or adopt a new way of thinking.
[18:15] Key points and episode recap.
Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a subscriber, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!
Links mentioned in this episode:

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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06/22/21 • 25 min

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05/18/22 • 25 min

In this episode, I'm sharing the 10 most common querying mistakes I see writers make and how to avoid them. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode:
[02:45] Mistake #1: Your story isn't 100% ready to send out just yet.
[04:25] Mistake #2: Sending your query to the wrong person.
[06:15] Mistake #3: Not following the submission guidelines.
[08:45] Mistake #4: You forgot to include your metadata.
[09:50] Mistake #5: Your word count is too high or too low.
[11:10] Mistake #6: The genre of your story isn't clear.
[12:30] Mistake #7: The comp titles listed don't make sense.
[14:25] Mistake #8: Your story summary is too vague.
[16:35] Mistake #9: You've tried to fit too much stuff in your query.
[18:55] Mistake #10: Your query letter is unprofessional or weird.
[21:00] Final thoughts and episode recapFollow & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you following my podcast? If not, I want to encourage you to do that today so that you don't miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not following the show, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to follow this show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a follower, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. These reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!
Links mentioned in this episode:

Support the show

Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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05/18/22 • 25 min

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  • FAQ

    How many episodes does Fiction Writing Made Easy have?

    Fiction Writing Made Easy currently has 101 episodes available.

    What topics does Fiction Writing Made Easy cover?

    The podcast is about Writer, Fiction, Writing, How To, Author, Podcasts, Books, Education, Arts and Novel.

    What is the most popular episode on Fiction Writing Made Easy?

    The episode title 'How to Test Your Story Idea Before Writing' is the most popular.

    What is the average episode length on Fiction Writing Made Easy?

    The average episode length on Fiction Writing Made Easy is 24 minutes.

    How often are episodes of Fiction Writing Made Easy released?

    Episodes of Fiction Writing Made Easy are typically released every 7 days.

    When was the first episode of Fiction Writing Made Easy?

    The first episode of Fiction Writing Made Easy was released on Mar 10, 2020.

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    3 Ratings

    Savannah Gilbo

    @savannahgilbo

    Jun 22

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