#123: How To Overcome The 5 Types Of Imposter Syndrome
“Try learning new skills and then putting what you learn into practice right away, because, at the end of the day, you can only really learn through doing anyway.” - Savannah Gilbo Is imposter syndrome holding you back from writing a novel? Here are the EXACT action steps you can take right now to combat your feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and fear—and to overcome imposter syndrome for good. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:28] What exactly is ...
2 Jan 202418min
#122: Counting Down The Best Writing Tips From FWME In 2023
“My point is that you have to do the work to make the mistakes and learn.” - Savannah Gilbo The past year on Fiction Writing Made Easy has been a treasure trove of insights, expert advice, and creative hacks, all neatly bundled up in amazing podcast episodes and interviews. Today, we dive into a delightful countdown, revisiting the very best tips that get into the heart of fiction writing, and uncovering the gems that made 2023 an inspiration for writers. Read the blog post here! He...
26 Dec 202341min
#121: 5 Takeaways From Coaching Writers in 2023
“The more work you do up front and the more you get your mindset right, the more likely your chances of success are.” - Savannah Gilbo In this episode, I'm giving you a glimpse behind the scenes and sharing some of the key takeaways I learned from coaching writers this year. I hope that you'll be able to reap some of the benefits of these lessons so that you can move forward with your writing in the most efficient way possible. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s inc...
19 Dec 202323min
#120: First Chapter Analysis: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
“I think that's really important at the end of every time that you write a scene. Ask yourself, how can I raise the stakes even more?” - Abigail K. Perry Join us today as we embark on a thrilling literary journey through the fantastical world of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros. In this episode, I'm joined by Abigail K. Perry and I encourage you to read this mesmerizing tale, peel it apart with us, and participate in our analysis of it. Read the blog post here! Here's a preview of what's incl...
12 Dec 20231h 10min
#119: Student Spotlight: How Fern Bernstein Wrote A Dual Timeline Novel Based On The Edies of Grey Gardens
“It's the inciting incident, the turning point, the crisis moment, the climax, and the resolution, and each scene really needs to have that to move the story forward.” - Fern Bernstein In today's episode, I’m sitting down for a conversation with Fern Bernstein to talk about her debut novel, Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:44] Savannah reads the back cover of Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens to get context for today’s discussion. [12:14...
5 Dec 202345min
#118: How To Find The Major Dramatic Question Of Your Story
“Every story has one main question that it raises in the beginning and answers by the end.” - Savannah Gilbo In this latest podcast episode, we'll explore a fundamental element of storytelling: the Major Dramatic Question (MDQ). From the outset of your story, readers should be gripped by this central question. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:31] Savannah talks about why the major dramatic question (MDQ) of a story is a helpful question for writers and how you can find the MDQ of yo...
28 Nov 202311min
#117: Exploring the World of Beta and Sensitivity Reading with Julie Taylor from The Spun Yarn
“As I kid I was like, I would love to get paid to read.” - Julie Taylor In today’s episode, I’m sitting down to chat with Julie Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at The Spun Yarn - a company that offers paid beta reading and sensitivity reading services to authors. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [06:15] How does The Spun Yarn create a perfect matching system between its authors and its beta readers? [15:37] When would an author need this type of service? How is it different than workin...
21 Nov 202359min
#116: First Chapter Analysis: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
“In every story, you want to have that internal change because, without internal change, there is no character change.” - Savannah Gilbo In today’s episode, both Abigail K. Perry and I talk about the intriguing world of "Anxious People" by Frederick Backman. Buckle up, because this first chapter exploration is different from any other you've encountered before. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [05:08] Chapter summary: an unnamed narrator describes a plot involving idiots, bad decisions...
14 Nov 202355min
