Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

#197. How to Write a Novel That Hooks Readers Through Curiosity (Not Confusion)


Listen Later

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 between being mysterious and being vague. And the writers who master evoking curiosity without being vague or confusing are the ones who create truly compelling fiction.

In this episode, you'll hear me talk about things like:

  • [02:35] Why most writers mistake withholding information for creating mystery—and the simple test to tell if you're being mysterious or just vague
  • [03:20] The movie trailer analogy that'll completely change how you think about revealing information to readers
  • [6:55] How to give readers the essential context they need to stay grounded in your story without giving everything away
  • [8:25] Why the missing information must matter deeply to your protagonist—and how to tie your mysteries to what characters desperately want
  • [10:30] How to deliver information that keeps readers engaged and wanting more (without just withholding everything)
  • [11:50] The one question that determines whether you're creating compelling mystery or confusing noise, plus how to apply this across every genre

Whether you're writing romance, fantasy, thrillers, or any other type of fiction, this episode will help you create the kind of curiosity and tension that keeps readers glued to the page instead of accidentally driving them away.

⭐ 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.

Ready to make 2026 the year you finally finish your novel? Notes to Novel is my signature program that walks you through brainstorming, outlining, and writing a first draft that works—so you always know what to do next. Click here to get on the waitlist →

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.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing TipsBy Savannah Gilbo

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

1,456 ratings


More shows like Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

View all
Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Writing Excuses

1,302 Listeners

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors

1,004 Listeners

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

619 Listeners

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

226 Listeners

Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

Writer's Routine

314 Listeners

Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month by Kristina Horner & Liz Leo

Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month

93 Listeners

The First Draft Club by By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

The First Draft Club

112 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

770 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

411 Listeners

Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

Writers on Writing

88 Listeners

Lit Match by Abigail K. Perry

Lit Match

58 Listeners

Your Next Draft by Alice Sudlow

Your Next Draft

75 Listeners

Master Fiction Writing by Stuart Wakefield

Master Fiction Writing

17 Listeners

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel by Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

17 Listeners

Zero to Well-Read by Book Riot

Zero to Well-Read

142 Listeners