Fiction Writing Made Easy

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Savannah Gilbo
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Books #133 in Arts Education How To
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27.2K - 45.3K listeners Female 4.9 rating 1812 reviews 200 episodes USA
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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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he***@savannahgilbo.com

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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on Fiction Writing Made Easy.

Hosts

Savannah Gilbo

Previous Guests

Cheryl Arko
Cheryl Arko is a 72-year-old data scientist who has recently published her debut science fiction novel after years of struggling with perfectionism and false starts in her writing journey. With a background in data science, Cheryl has utilized her analytical skills to overcome obstacles in her writing process. Her transformative journey highlights the importance of confidence and validation in the writing community, as well as the practical strategies she employed to finally complete her manuscript. Cheryl's experience serves as an inspiration for aspiring authors, demonstrating that it is never too late to pursue one's writing dreams.
Candace Coakley
Candace Coakley is a professional book coach and editor with a passion for helping writers develop their unique voices. With years of experience in the publishing industry, she specializes in guiding first-time authors through the writing process, providing them with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.
Sam Henke
Sam Henke is a seasoned book coach and editor known for her expertise in helping writers overcome creative blocks. She has worked with numerous authors to refine their manuscripts and develop effective writing habits, making her a sought-after mentor in the literary community.
Jenny Luke
Jenny Luke is a book coach and editor who focuses on empowering writers to finish their projects. With a background in creative writing and editing, she offers personalized coaching sessions that help authors navigate the challenges of writing and publishing.
Karla Diaz
Karla Diaz is a professional editor and writing coach with a strong background in fiction writing. She has helped many authors polish their drafts and find their narrative voice, making her an invaluable resource for aspiring writers.
Sam Cameron
Sam Cameron is a book coach and editor who specializes in helping writers break through mental barriers. With a focus on mindset and productivity, he provides strategies that enable authors to complete their manuscripts and achieve their writing goals.
Samantha Skal
Samantha Skal is the director of Thriller Fest, a prominent event in the thriller writing community. She is also the co-founder of Shadows and Secrets Writing Retreats, which are held in Salem's most haunted hotel. As a certified Author Accelerator book coach, she specializes in mystery, thriller, and suspense genres, making her an expert in crafting plot twists that engage and surprise readers.

Topics Discussed

novel editing first draft editing process revision manuscript feedback self-publishing traditional publishing perfectionism science fiction novel writing competition reverse outlining two-phase writing approach character development mindset hacks self-doubt writer's block procrastination writing time inspiration middle slump strategic neglect plot twist thriller mystery suspense red herrings storytelling first novel writing process novel-writing framework protagonist's inner obstacle 3-part story structure writing routines psychological tricks manuscript completion

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@savannah.gilbo
Savannah Gilbo

Account Stats

Followers: 6,773
Posts: 567

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Account Type: Business
Privacy: Public

Biography

I help fiction authors write, edit, and publish their books. Host of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast đŸŽ™ïž

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on Fiction Writing Made Easy.

0:00 30:09

#190. Novel Editing: 10 Steps to Editing Your First Draft

Hosts
Savannah Gilbo
Keywords
novel editing first draft editing process revision manuscript feedback self-publishing traditional publishing

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 avoiding it altogether.

If your excitement about finishing your draft has given way to editing anxiety, you're not alone. Every author—even the most seasoned professionals—reaches this crossroads, where the path forward seems foggy at best.

Tune in to learn the exact novel editing framework that has helped my clients and students transform their messy drafts into completed manuscripts.

You’ll hear me talk about things like:

  • [06:21] The game-changing approach to organizing your editing notes that’ll prevent months of wasted time and getting stuck in "revision loops"
  • [07:17] How mapping what you actually wrote (not what you intended to write) can expose the hidden strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript
  • [10:05] The #1 mistake first-time novelists make when editing their messy first drafts (and how to avoid falling into this all too common trap)
  • [16:05] The four-category sorting system that helps you prioritize feedback and make confident decisions about which changes to implement
  • [23:22] How your publishing path impacts your editing to-do list (and which steps to take if you’re self-publishing or traditional publishing)

If you've finally finished your first draft but find yourself paralyzed by the editing process, or if you've been revising the same chapters for months without making real progress, this episode gives you the clear, structured approach you need.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

⭐ 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!

FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

0:00 52:56

#189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko

Hosts
Savannah Gilbo
Guests
Cheryl Arko
Keywords
perfectionism science fiction novel self-publishing writing competition reverse outlining two-phase writing approach character development

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 become the biggest obstacle to finishing your novel.

In this episode, Cheryl Arko shares her transformative journey from decades of false starts to published author at 72, revealing the exact strategies that helped her finally complete her science fiction novel after years of struggle.

Tune in to hear:

  • [14:31] The reverse outlining technique that revealed why Cheryl’s scenes weren't working (and exactly how to fix them)

  • [17:47] How entering a writing competition boosted her confidence and validated her manuscript's potential (and earned her a finalist spot!)

  • [20:39] The two-phase writing approach that freed Cheryl from perfectionism paralysis (and helped her make twice the progress in half the time)

  • [29:35] How developing her antagonist into a more three-dimensional character solved plot problems Cheryl had been stuck on for months

  • [35:01] The practical reasons Cheryl chose self-publishing at 72 (and how to decide what's right for you based on your timeline and goals)

If you've ever abandoned a manuscript or worried it's too late to realize your writing dreams, this episode proves that with the right approach, you can finally type "The End" on your novel—no matter your age or how long you've been trying.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

0:00 37:54

#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft

Hosts
Savannah Gilbo
Guests
Candace Coakley Sam Henke Jenny Luke Karla Diaz Sam Cameron
Keywords
mindset hacks self-doubt perfectionism writer's block procrastination first draft writing time inspiration middle slump strategic neglect

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." And then you're staring at a blinking cursor, completely frozen.

Sound familiar?

If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting your first novel or you've been trying to finish that draft for months (or years!), these mental roadblocks aren't signs of failure—they're normal challenges every writer faces.

Tune in to this episode to hear five proven mindset strategies from professional book coaches and editors who have helped countless first-time novelists overcome writer's block, self-doubt, and procrastination to finally type "The End" on their first drafts.

  • [02:11] The surprising mindset shift that turns "This writing is terrible" into productive writing sessions
  • [08:41] How to carve out writing time that actually works (without quitting your day job or neglecting your family)
  • [14:43] Why waiting to "feel inspired" is killing your novel—and the counterintuitive approach that actually works
  • [20:12] The five simple questions that can rescue your story when you're stuck in the dreaded "middle slump"
  • [27:08] How strategic "neglect" might be the missing ingredient to finally type "The End" on your manuscript

If you're an aspiring author who is writing your first draft, or if you've started multiple manuscripts but keep getting stuck in the middle, this episode's for you!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure t

FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

0:00 48:24

#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal

Hosts
Savannah Gilbo
Guests
Samantha Skal
Keywords
plot twist thriller mystery suspense red herrings storytelling character development

Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans.

Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" đŸ˜±

That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist.

Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone whose superpower is brainstorming plot twists?

Samantha Skal is the director of Thriller Fest, the co-founder of Shadows and Secrets Writing Retreats (held in Salem’s most haunted hotel!), and a certified Author Accelerator book coach specializing in mystery, thriller, and suspense. So to say she knows a thing or two about crafting plot twists would be an understatement.

In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:

  • [04:45] The difference between using red herrings in mysteries and thrillers(and why mixing them up might be killing your story's suspense)
  • [07:11] Why "playing fair" with readers is the cardinal rule of plot twist writing—and how breaking it turns clever twists into manipulative disappointments
  • [15:12] Why starting with your villain (not your protagonist) is the secret to crafting plot twists that are surprising yet inevitable
  • [24:00] How your character's personal baggage can become your most powerful tool for misdirecting readers (without feeling manipulative)
  • [40:45] The counterintuitive reason why vague storytelling kills suspense—and what to do instead to create maximum tension

Whether you're excited to start your first novel or stuck somewhere in the middle of a manuscript, wondering how to surprise your readers, this episode will help you craft plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. 

⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

0:00 37:15

#186. First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps to Writing A Novel For Beginners

Hosts
Savannah Gilbo
Keywords
first novel writing process novel-writing framework protagonist's inner obstacle 3-part story structure writing routines psychological tricks manuscript completion

Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magical, and challenging. But here's what you need to know right now: it's completely doable with the right approach.

Something I've discovered after working with hundreds of writers is that finishing a novel requires more than just talent or a great idea. It takes the right mindset, practical tools, and a strategic approach that keeps you moving forward even when inspiration fades.

Tune in to learn the exact novel-writing framework that has helped my clients and students transform their ideas into completed manuscripts, with a special focus on the foundational elements that make stories truly resonate with readers.

You’ll hear me talk about things like:

  • [02:10] The #1 reason most first-time novelists abandon their manuscripts (spoiler alert: it's not writer's block)
  • [13:25] Why understanding your protagonist's inner obstacle is the key to creating a page-turning novel
  • [20:20] The simple 3-part story structure that successful authors use to prevent getting stuck in the dreaded "murky middle"
  • [26:45] Which writing routines actually work for busy people (and why marathon writing sessions might be sabotaging your progress)
  • [30:20] The psychological trick that transforms "someday" writers into authors who actually finish their first draft
  • [32:50] Episode recap and final thoughts

If you've been dreaming about becoming an author but find yourself staring at a blank page or blinking cursor, or if you've started multiple manuscripts only to abandon them when the going gets tough, then this episode is for you!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author!

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Ratings

Global:
4.9 rating 1812 reviews

USA

4.9 ratings 1400 reviews

Canada

4.9 ratings 152 reviews

UK

4.9 ratings 131 reviews

Australia

4.9 ratings 106 reviews

New Zealand

4.9 ratings 9 reviews

Ireland

4.7 ratings 7 reviews

South Africa

5.0 ratings 5 reviews

Singapore

5.0 ratings 2 reviews