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

One of the questions I get asked by a lot of aspiring authors is, “What books should I read to learn how to start writing a novel?” I get asked this question so often that I decided to turn my answer into a podcast episode!

Tune in to this episode to hear my take on the 5 best writing books that have had the biggest impact on me and the authors I work with. I’ll share what the books are, why I like them, and what kind of writer they’d be best for.

In other words, you’ll hear me talk about:

• [02:03] My favorite book for character creation—one that helps you dig deep into your character’s backstory to understand who they are and how they’ll show up on the page
• [05:28] The first book that really made things click for me, including things like how to write a well-structured scene and the importance of genre
• [08:23] One of the best books on plotting a novel that includes beat-by-beat breakdowns of ten different stories—yep, I’m talking about Save the Cat!
• [10:53] The only book I know of that breaks down an entire story on a scene-by-scene basis and shows you how every single part of the story works
• [15:09] A book that really changed the way I think about a story’s midpoint—not only what a midpoint is, but why it’s so important to the overall narrative

If you’re looking for another craft book to add to your TBR pile (that can also make you a better writer), you’re going to love this episode!

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"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:

• Savannah Gilbo on Instagram
• Story Genius by Lisa Cron
• The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
• Save the Cat! Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody
• Write Your Novel From The Middle by James Scott Bell
• The Story Grid Masterwork Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by Savannah Gilbo

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Have you ever Googled things like “how many words should be in a novel?” Or “how many scenes should a novel have?” If so, you’ve probably gotten answers like “80,000 words.” Or “somewherre between 40 and 60 scenes.”

Easy enough, in theory…But if you’re like most of the writers I’ve worked with, you’ve probably also had trouble sticking to these guidelines because there’s just so much stuff that needs to go into a novel, right?

Well, in this episode, I’m going to help clear up some of the confusion and overwhelm that many writers face when it comes to outlining, writing, and revising. And to do that, I’m going to share everything I know about scene beats.

Tune into this episode to hear things like:

• [03:18] The difference between scenes and beats, including some of the common functions beats can serve within each one of your scenes
• [07:21] An example of beats within a scene from Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas—including a look at how she strategically placed chapter breaks to hook and hold the reader’s attention.
• [12:53] My advice on when to worry about the beats with each of your scenes (spoiler alert: it’s not until you’re in the revision phase—if at all!)
• [13:42] 3 things to look out for when deciding if something should be a beat or a scene, and why it’s super important to adopt a flexible mindset during revisions
• [16:09] Episode recap and final thoughts

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed creating your outline or trying to fit an entire story into a certain number of words or scenes, you’re going to love 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 153 - Scene Analysis: Chapter 5 "Diagon Alley" From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
• Click here to grab a copy of my book, The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
• Ep. 40 - How to Write a Well-Structured Scene

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How do you know if you’re actually getting better at writing?

In this episode, my guest, Tim Grahl, the CEO of Story Grid and the author of multiple books, both fiction and non-fiction, shares his answer to this question. Tim believes that his new book, The Shithead, is the best book he’s ever written—and I happen to agree with him! So, how did he get here? What did he do to become a better writer? And more importantly, what can YOU learn from Tim’s story to become a better writer yourself? 

Tune into this episode to hear things like:

• [04:26] Where the idea for Tim’s new novel, The Shithead, came from, and how he blended real life with fiction to create a compelling story
• [13:18] How Tim went from brainstorming to finished draft in about six months—and why spending time upfront to plan the foundational elements of the story saved him a ton of time (and stress) in the long run
• [15:15] Tim shares what he believes to be the secret to writing the best book he’s ever written (spoiler alert: it’s learning how to write a really good scene!)
• [32:46] Tim’s plans for launching and marketing this book—you won’t want to miss this part. Tim is the book launch guy, and his insights are golden!

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a better writer—and what you can do to practice your craft in a meaningful way—then you’re going to love 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Free Download: 3-Point Scene Writing Checklist
• Story Grid’s YouTube Channel
• Story Grid’s Website
• Tim’s Book The Shithead

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

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Want a peek behind the scenes into my work week? 👀

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing what I do as a developmental editor and book coach. 

I’ll talk through the projects I’m working on, what I’m excited (or not excited) about, what’s coming up in the next few weeks, what I learn from the writers I work with, and basically anything else that happens during the week!

Tune into the episode to hear me talk about things like:

• [01:55] How I use a paper planner to map out my work week—and why I’m extra diligent about matching up my digital calendar to my planner
• [04:55] Why grouping common activities into one day (like public speaking or podcasting) helps me conserve energy and recharge my introvert batteries
• [08:30] An update on two writers I’m working with—both of which are about to finish their developmental edits and move into the line editing phase
• [14:50] How I deal with not getting everything on my to-do list done, and why it’s so important to give yourself grace when energy levels are low
• [16:40] What I learned from critiquing the opening pages of five different science fiction novels—and what you can do to avoid making the same mistake

Thanks for coming on this journey with me, and I hope you enjoy this peek behind the scenes! See you next week!

⭐ 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:

• Ep. 94 - How to Reveal Your Character's Inner Life on the Page
• Ep. 102 - 3 Common Interiority Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
• Planner Pad on Amazon

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

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Would you believe me if I said social media could make you a better writer? If you’re shaking your head NO, you’ll want to check out this episode.

My guest, Lara Ferrari, is an Instagram marketing specialist who has helped hundreds of writers grow engaged communities of readers online (and have FUN while doing it).

In this episode, she’s sharing how you can use social media to increase your creativity and motivation, get reader input and feedback, do market research, and find the accountability and support you need to become a better writer.

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

• [02:26] What led Lara to specialize in social media marketing for authors, and how she can help you find your target audience of readers online 
• [06:09] How writers often have a negative perception of social media—it’s either a necessary evil to help them promote their books, or it’s a time suck that threatens their writing (and sometimes their mental health)
• [07:34] Unexpected ways social media can increase your creativity, inspiration, passion, and motivation (along with some practical examples so you can put these things into practice, too)
• [17:35] How to conduct actionable market research using social media—think getting reader input and feedback, sensitivity awareness, and things like that
• [29:51] A few different ways you can use social media to find the community, accountability, and support you need to finish your book
• [32:56] How to use social media intentionally to maintain your boundaries and focus on what matters most—writing your book!

If you’ve ever felt unsure about social media, or if social media consistently feels like something that’s just too hard to tackle, you’re going to LOVE this episode with Lara!

⭐ 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:

• Lara Ferrari’s Instagram
• Grab Lara’s Instagram Glow Up Guide here!

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

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Earlier this year, I published my first book, The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—and I learned soooo much about book marketing.

Tune into this episode to hear the ten surprising lessons I learned from my first book launch, including things like:

• [03:10] What I learned about asking for Amazon reviews—and how asking for favors was the most uncomfortable part of the book launch process for me
• [04:30] A look behind the scenes at my marketing plan, including how I balanced things like social media, emailing my list, and working with ARC Readers and influencers
• [07:50] What moved the needle for me and made it possible for my book to become an Amazon bestseller and the #1 New Release in the category
• [12:00] The hardest part of the book launch for me emotionally—and how I dealt with people who didn’t show up for me like they said they would
• [15:30] Why it’s important to celebrate after publishing a book (and what my celebration looked like—spoiler alert: it was very low-key but still fun!)

If you want a peek behind the scenes to hear what worked, what didn’t work, what I’m glad I did, and what I’d do differently next time, you’re going to love 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. #107 - List Building Essentials For Authors
• Grab a copy of my new book, The Story Grid Masterwork Guide To Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (and then claim your bonuses) here!
• Leave a review for my book on Amazon

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

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Do you ever wish you could see a behind-the-scenes look at how other people write? 

In this episode, you’ll get to hear directly from five of my Notes to Novel students as they share how they brainstormed, outlined, and wrote their books inside the Notes to Novel course. I asked each of them to share the biggest thing that helped them get to “The End” of their drafts, and that’s exactly what they’re sharing with you today.

In the episode, you’ll hear things like:

• [01:50] How fast drafting and using placeholders for pending details helped Poornika finish a 114,000-word draft in only 88 days 
• [04:50] How Alison learned to embrace scene structure (and what this did in terms of her ability to write a first draft)
• [07:40] How a small mindset shift around outlining gave Mark a framework to develop his ideas (without stifling his creativity or ability to have fun)
• [12:10] How Sharon’s critique group noticed an improvement in her writing after she learned how to write a well-structured scene
• [16:30] How Rhonda defeated her inner critic that used to tell her she was too old to write—and how she finished an 80,000-word first draft

Trust me when I say that you will find these writers’ stories so inspirational! I had so much fun putting together this episode and can’t wait to share their insights with you!

⭐ 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:

• Poornika Kakkanaiah’s website and Instagram
• Alison Ten Cate’s Instagram
• Sharon England’s Instagram
• Mark Mrozinski’s website and Instagram

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

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As someone who’s worked with hundreds of authors, I see people making the same mistakes over and over and over again. Mistakes that are easily avoidable once you know they’re mistakes.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of these mistakes. Specifically, the 10 things that will NOT make you a better writer—and oh boy is it a juicy episode! In it, you’ll hear me talk about:

• [01:27] Why waiting until you feel more “ready” to write is actually one of the worst things you can do (and spoiler alert: you will never feel ready!)
• [06:18] Why most writing groups don’t work (even if they’re full of well-meaning members)—and how to find the right writing group for you
• [09:16] Why writing and revising at the same time is not the best thing to do (and what you should start doing instead to make progress on your book)
• [20:30] The problem with popular writing methods—and why they can do more harm than good, especially if you’re brand new to writing
• [24:59] My thoughts on investing in your craft, including when (and how) you should invest both your time and money based on where you’re at in the process
• [28:26] Episode recap and final thoughts

So, tune in and let me help you avoid making some of the most common mistakes writers make—and let’s make this the year you finish (or publish!) your book.

⭐ 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:

• Notes to Novel
• The Spun Yarn

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

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“I think your story has a genre identity crisis. That’s probably why you’re not getting responses from agents.” ← That’s what I told my new friend, Jac Sahlin, about the duology she’s currently querying.

Tune into this episode to hear Jac and I talk through her query letter and first five pages—and to hear my thoughts on why she hasn’t received any requests from agents. Although Jac isn’t technically a client of mine, our conversation will give you a peek behind the scenes into what it’s like working with a book coach!

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

• [04:59] Jac’s thoughts about what it was like to get feedback from a book coach—and how it was different than getting feedback when she was taking creative writing courses in college
• [08:32] My process for analyzing Jac’s query and first five pages, including where I start and what literary agents are looking for in a query package
• [15:41] The difference between writing women’s fiction and romance—and why this matters both when writing a draft and querying agents
• [31:25] Jac’s big a-ha moments about which genre she wants her story to fit into (and spoiler alert: she followed her gut and chose romance!
• [01:03] Episode recap and final thoughts

If you want my help with your story, the doors to my Notes to Novel group coaching program are opening soon! Click here to get on the waitlist.

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:

• Book Talk for BookTok podcast
• Book Talk for BookTok on Instagram

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

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“How many scenes are in the Diagon Alley chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?” Believe it or not, this is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from writers when they hear I’ve written a book breaking apart this mega best seller scene by scene.

And it’s a valid question! This chapter was the hardest chapter for us to analyze when putting together The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

But this week, Abigail K. Perry and I have an answer for you! Tune into this week’s episode to hear us take a deep dive into the structure of Chapter 5, “Diagon Alley,”—including how many scenes we see in this chapter.

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

• [04:21] How to analyze your scenes from three different perspectives—the reader’s perspective, the character’s perspective, and the author’s perspective
• [11:33] A quick trick for determining if your scenes work (and how to identify which areas of your scenes need work once you’ve written them)
• [20:12] Why we chose to analyze this chapter as one 6,500-word-long scene versus a bunch of smaller scenes (and how the structure of this scene works)
• [23:12] The purpose of the smaller moments within the scene that are arguably significant (and move the scene) forward but aren’t technically “scenes”
• [41:14] Our final thoughts on writing a scene like Diagon Alley

If you like this episode, you’ll LOVE my book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide. Click here to pre-order a copy and get access to a collection of bonuses in addition to a copy of the book.

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:

• Pre-order my new book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide, and get a handful of special bonuses!
• Watch the video interview on Story Grid’s YouTube channel

Send us Fan Mail

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

Support the show