Lit Match

First Chapter Deep Dive: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (with Savannah Gilbo)


Listen Later

 

Do you love historical romance? Do you want to learn what makes a first chapter capture a reader's (and literary agent's!) attention?

Then you need today's episode. 

In today's episode, book coach and developmental editor Savannah Gilbo returns for a deep dive into the uber-popular, time-traveling romance, OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon. This conversation is jam-packed with insightful tips on how to pull readers into your story with world-building, set ups, and memorable, interesting characters without slowing the pace. 

Some other topics Savannah and I explore include:

  • How to write an intriguing opening (and scenes) with what can sometimes feel like less intense stakes 
  • How many scenes are in this first chapter, and why each models a well-structured scene
  • How to plant set ups and share meaningful backstory without dragging down the pace
  • Plus, more! 
  • By the time you finish this episode, you'll know how to identify and answer some important questions that first chapters need in order to set up reader expectations. You'll also take away a handful of tools that you can use to tighten and polish well-structured scenes. So pick up a notebook and get ready to learn!

    P.S. Happy Valentine's Day! 

     

    Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

    "I love the Lit Match podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, I'd greatly appreciate if you took a minute or two to rate and review the show. Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're super insightful to me. Thanks in advance! 

     

    Books mentioned in this episode:

    • Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
    • The Writer's Guide to Beginnings by Paula Munier
    • Story Grid by Shawn Clyne
    •  

      Follow Abigail and Savannah: 

      Website: www.abigailkperry.com | www.savannahgilbo.com 

      Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo 

      P.S. Don't miss Savannah's podcast, FICTION WRITING MADE EASY! 

       

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

      Lit MatchBy Abigail K. Perry

      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9

      4.9

      54 ratings


      More shows like Lit Match

      View all
      Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

      Helping Writers Become Authors

      963 Listeners

      From the Front Porch by The Bookshelf Thomasville

      From the Front Porch

      1,160 Listeners

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

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

      207 Listeners

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

      Writing Excuses

      1,284 Listeners

      The Manuscript Academy by #MSWL

      The Manuscript Academy

      295 Listeners

      Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

      Writer's Routine

      292 Listeners

      Currently Reading by Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

      Currently Reading

      1,662 Listeners

      Sarah's Bookshelves Live by Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves

      Sarah's Bookshelves Live

      745 Listeners

      Hacks On Tap by Hacks On Tap

      Hacks On Tap

      8,012 Listeners

      Fiction Writing Made Easy by Savannah Gilbo

      Fiction Writing Made Easy

      1,365 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

      720 Listeners

      The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart by Comedy Central

      The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

      9,759 Listeners

      Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

      Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

      359 Listeners

      Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

      Writers on Writing

      59 Listeners

      The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott by Audacy, Red Hour, Great Scott

      The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott

      2,391 Listeners