Fiction Writing Made Easy
274 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -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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Episodes
#11: 10 Tips for Writing Better Love Triangles
May 19, 2020 07:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBIn today's episode, I'm sharing my top 10 tips for writing better, more compelling love triangles. Here's a preview of what's included: [01:30] A love triangle is a relationship that takes place between three or more characters. Character A has to choose between character B and character C. [01:50] Three examples of popular love triangles from Pride and Prejudice, Twilight, and The Hunger Games. [02:15] Tip #1: Fully develop all three characters involved in the love triangle. [03:10] Tip #2...
10 Tips for Writing Better Love Triangles
May 19, 2020 07:00 - 15 minutes - 10.3 MBIn today's episode, I'm sharing my top 10 tips for writing better, more compelling love triangles. Here's a preview of what's included: [01:30] A love triangle is a relationship that takes place between three or more characters. Character A has to choose between character B and character C. [01:50] Three examples of popular love triangles from Pride and Prejudice, Twilight, and The Hunger Games. [02:15] Tip #1: Fully develop all three characters involved in the love triangle. [03:10] Tip #2...
How to Create Memorable Characters Using Hooks
May 12, 2020 07:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBIn today's episode, I'm going to show you how to create unique and memorable characters using "hooks." Here's a preview of what's included: [01:15] What are character hooks? How do they help readers? [02:25] Hook #1: Give your character a unique accent or way of speaking. [03:20] Hook #2: Give your character an identifiable physical feature. [04:25] Hook #3: Give your character their own body language. [05:25] Hook #4: Give your character a human or an animal counterpart. [06:20] Hook #5: G...
#10: How to Create Memorable Characters Using Hooks
May 12, 2020 07:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBIn today's episode, I'm going to show you how to create unique and memorable characters using "hooks." Here's a preview of what's included: [01:15] What are character hooks? How do they help readers? [02:25] Hook #1: Give your character a unique accent or way of speaking. [03:20] Hook #2: Give your character an identifiable physical feature. [04:25] Hook #3: Give your character their own body language. [05:25] Hook #4: Give your character a human or an animal counterpart. [06:20] Hook #5: G...
Value Shifts: The Quickest Way to Determine if a Scene Works
May 05, 2020 07:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBIn today's episode, we're going to talk about value shifts. Specifically, how understanding the concept of value shifts can help you write an edit a story that works. Here's a preview: [01:10] What are value shifts and why do I need to care about them? [01:40] What does it mean to create a mini-arc of change in each scene? [02:10] How value shifts can help you create a better story outline and write impactful scenes that work. [03:50] Each genre has a core value at stake. For example, in a ...
#9: Value Shifts: The Quickest Way to Determine if a Scene Works
May 05, 2020 07:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBIn today's episode, we're going to talk about value shifts. Specifically, how understanding the concept of value shifts can help you write an edit a story that works. Here's a preview: [01:10] What are value shifts and why do I need to care about them? [01:40] What does it mean to create a mini-arc of change in each scene? [02:10] How value shifts can help you create a better story outline and write impactful scenes that work. [03:50] Each genre has a core value at stake. For example, in a ...
7 Secrets to Success That Every Writer Should Know
April 21, 2020 07:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBIn today's episode, I share the 7 secrets to success that every writer should know. These 7 secrets will help you accomplish your goals, become a better writer, and live a writing life you love. Here's a preview: [02:00] Secret #1: Courage. Have the courage to take action even when you're not sure where your story is going or what the next step in the process is. [03:45] Secret #2: Confidence. Confidence is something that anyone can develop. Until you develop confidence in your skills, have...
#8: 7 Secrets to Success That Every Writer Should Know
April 21, 2020 07:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBIn today's episode, I share the 7 secrets to success that every writer should know. These 7 secrets will help you accomplish your goals, become a better writer, and live a writing life you love. Here's a preview: [02:00] Secret #1: Courage. Have the courage to take action even when you're not sure where your story is going or what the next step in the process is. [03:45] Secret #2: Confidence. Confidence is something that anyone can develop. Until you develop confidence in your skills, have...
5 Questions to Help You Write Better Characters
April 14, 2020 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBIn this episode, I'll walk you through five questions that will help you write compelling characters. I highly recommend using these questions to flesh out both your protagonist AND your antagonist, but you can also use these questions to help you develop your secondary characters, too. Here's a preview of what we'll cover: [01:45] Question 1: What does your character want? Your character's goal will help you shape the external plot of your story as well as each of your story's scenes. [05...
#7: 5 Questions to Help You Write Better Characters
April 14, 2020 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBIn this episode, I'll walk you through five questions that will help you write compelling characters. I highly recommend using these questions to flesh out both your protagonist AND your antagonist, but you can also use these questions to help you develop your secondary characters, too. Here's a preview of what we'll cover: [01:45] Question 1: What does your character want? Your character's goal will help you shape the external plot of your story as well as each of your story's scenes. [05...
#6: 3 Reasons You Should Write in Scenes vs. Chapters
April 07, 2020 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.1 MBIn today's episode, I'm going to give you three reasons why you should write your draft in scenes instead of chapters. Here's a preview of what we'll cover: [01:20] The difference between scenes and chapters and how they each play a different role in your story's pacing. [02:45] 3 reasons why you should write in scenes instead of chapters: [02:55] Reason #1: It's easier to plan out your first draft because you can break down your total target word count into a target number of scenes that's...
3 Reasons You Should Write in Scenes vs. Chapters
April 07, 2020 07:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBIn today's episode, I'm going to give you three reasons why you should write your draft in scenes instead of chapters. Here's a preview of what we'll cover: [01:20] The difference between scenes and chapters and how they each play a different role in your story's pacing. [02:45] 3 reasons why you should write in scenes instead of chapters: [02:55] Reason #1: It's easier to plan out your first draft because you can break down your total target word count into a target number of scenes that's...
#5: 3 Ways to Figure Out the Theme of Your Story
March 31, 2020 07:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBIn today's episode, I'll walk you through three different ways to figure out the theme of your story. Here's a preview of what we'll cover: [00:50] What is a story's theme? And why do you need one? [01:30] How identifying your story's theme upfront can help you write a stronger draft. [02:40] 3 different questions to help you uncover the theme of your story. [03:00] Question 1: What do you have to say about life? What do you care about? [05:00] Question 2: How will your protagonist chan...
3 Ways to Figure Out the Theme of Your Story
March 31, 2020 07:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBIn today's episode, I'll walk you through three different ways to figure out the theme of your story. Here's a preview of what we'll cover: [00:50] What is a story's theme? And why do you need one? [01:30] How identifying your story's theme upfront can help you write a stronger draft. [02:40] 3 different questions to help you uncover the theme of your story. [03:00] Question 1: What do you have to say about life? What do you care about? [05:00] Question 2: How will your protagonist chan...
#4: How to Identify Your Story's Ideal Reader
March 24, 2020 07:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBIn this episode, we're going to talk about your story's ideal reader -- or the one person who is going to love your book just as much as you do. Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode: [01:00] What is an ideal reader? And why does your ideal reader matter? [02:20] How understanding your ideal reader can help you write with purpose and edit with focus. [03:15] How understanding your ideal reader can help you when it comes time to pitch agents and market your book. [...
How to Identify Your Story's Ideal Reader
March 24, 2020 07:00 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBIn this episode, we're going to talk about your story's ideal reader -- or the one person who is going to love your book just as much as you do. Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode: [01:00] What is an ideal reader? And why does your ideal reader matter? [02:20] How understanding your ideal reader can help you write with purpose and edit with focus. [03:15] How understanding your ideal reader can help you when it comes time to pitch agents and market your book. [...
How to Choose the Best Genre for Your Story
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBIn 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 not...
How to Decide Which Story Idea to Write Next
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.09 MBIn 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 "f...
#2: How to Choose the Best Genre for Your Story
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBIn 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 not...
#3: How to Decide Which Story Idea to Write Next
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.63 MBIn 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 "f...
#1: The #1 Myth That Holds Writers Back
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBIn this episode, we're going to talk about the biggest myth that holds writers back and what to do about it if you're falling prey to this myth. Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode: [01:00] How do you know if you're falling prey to this myth? Here are 3 scenarios that might signal to you that you need to address the belief at the root of this myth. Which scenario best describes your writing practice? [03:00] The #1 myth that holds writers back (it's probably not w...
The #1 Myth That Holds Writers Back
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBIn this episode, we're going to talk about the biggest myth that holds writers back and what to do about it if you're falling prey to this myth. Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode: [01:00] How do you know if you're falling prey to this myth? Here are 3 scenarios that might signal to you that you need to address the belief at the root of this myth. Which scenario best describes your writing practice? [03:00] The #1 myth that holds writers back (it's probably not w...
Introducing the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast!
March 10, 2020 19:00 - 3 minutes - 2.37 MBWeekly 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 br...
0. Introducing the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast!
March 10, 2020 19:00 - 2 minutes - 1.83 MBMy name is Savannah Gilbo and I'm a developmental 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. Each 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 imp...