#222. 3 Mindset Shifts Every Writer Needs to Finish Their Novel
Discover the mindset shifts to break out of analysis paralysis, choose progress over perfection, and build your novel layer by layer until it's complete.Feeling stuck writing your novel? You're not alone. Most writers think they're struggling because they don't have enough time, talent, or discipline. But more often than not, the real issue is actually mindset. In fact, it's the root cause of stuckness: rewriting the same chapters, second-guessing every decision, or trying to fix everything at once.In this episode, I’m sharing three mindset shifts that'll ease the pressure you're putting on yourself, help you get clarity on your draft, and write forward instead of sideways.You will hear me talk about things like:[03:15] Why getting stuck on the first few chapters is more about how you're thinking than how you're writing, and what to pay attention to instead.[06:45] How preparing, planning, and researching can quietly stall your first draft, and the moment you know it's time to switch into writing mode.[12:05] The reason drafting feels overwhelming when you try to fix everything at once, and the reframe that makes finishing your story feel doable.If you've been feeling pressure to get everything right before you can move forward, these shifts will help you see your draft in a much clearer and more manageable way. Your story doesn’t need perfection to grow; it's allowed to be messy while you figure things out.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Get on the Notes to Novel waitlist!Take The Author Success Blueprint Quiz 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break Through⭐ Follow & ReviewIf 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!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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
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#221. 5 Line Editing Tips to Make Your Prose Shine
Discover five practical line editing strategies that sharpen your prose, strengthen emotional clarity, and make each sentence more purposeful on the page.Line editing can feel intimidating, especially if you're not sure where to begin or how to make meaningful improvements at the sentence level. And if you've ever tried refining lines before your scenes are clear and working, you know how frustrating the process can be.In today’s episode, I’m joined by three brilliant book coaches and editors: Karyn Fischer, Alice Sudlow, and Julie Artz, who work with writers every day to help them strengthen their line-level craft. Along with their best tips, I’m also sharing two of my own favorite strategies so you can approach line editing without feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start.Here's what we talk about: [03:00] Learn how dynamic verbs instantly energize your prose and why swapping out static wording is one of the fastest line editing wins.[07:14] See how a simple clarity–flow–refinement order keeps your line edits focused and prevents the overwhelm that stops many writers in revision.[11:40] Learn why understanding the true purpose of your scenes helps you make clearer sentence-level decisions.[15:41] Explore how short, long, and mixed-length sentences shape pacing, emotion, and rhythm so your prose feels intentional instead of flat or repetitive.[19:28] Five practical line editing tools, from reading aloud to spotting junk words, that help you tighten and strengthen your manuscript.Whether you're revising a first draft or doing late-stage editing, these five tips will help you make intentional, powerful choices on every page.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Karyn Fischer WebsiteAlice Sudlow WebsiteJulie Artz Website⭐ Follow & ReviewIf 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!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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
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#220. How to Build an Author Platform (Even if You're an Introvert) with Shelby Leigh
Learn how to build a focused, authentic author platform to connect with readers early, grow your visibility, and create lasting momentum for your book launch.In this episode, I’m joined by Shelby Leigh, bestselling author of four poetry books (with over 60,000 copies sold!) and the founder of Marketing by Shelby, where she's helped more than 8,000 authors and creatives learn how to market their books with ease.Shelby and I talk about how to start building your author platform before your book launches, what to post when you don't have a book out yet, and how to market in a way that fits your personality (even if you’re introverted or allergic to salesy marketing).Here’s what we cover:[02:15] How Shelby went from anonymous poet to book marketing educator, and what helped her embrace book promotion as an introvert who once dreaded it.[05:25] What an author platform actually includes (it’s more than social media!) and how early (or late) you should build one that works.[12:30] The 3-Part “Show, Sell, Story Tell” content framework for sharing your work online without feeling pushy or performative.[18:15] The most common author-platform mistakes writers make and the mindset shifts that turn confusing marketing into genuine reader connection.[20:40] How to set up your first email list, plan a low-stress book launch, and keep growing your readership long after release week.Whether you're preparing to publish or just starting your first draft, you'll discover simple, sustainable ways to market your book and connect with readers who'll love it.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Marketing By Shelby WebsiteGrab Shelby’s Free List Growth Starter Kit⭐ Follow & ReviewIf 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!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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
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#219. How To Build Story Tension by Sharing More (Not Less) with Daniel David Wallace
Discover why clarity (not secrecy) is the key to keeping your readers engaged, curious, and emotionally invested in your story.Writers often think suspense means withholding information, but what if the opposite were true?In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel David Wallace, author, writing teacher, and founder of the annual Escape the Plot Forest Summit, to discuss why holding back details can leave readers confused or disconnected rather than curious.Daniel explains how sharing the right information at the right time builds trust, deepens emotion, and makes every twist hit exactly the way you intended. Here’s what we cover:[02:25] Why trying to keep readers guessing for too long kills tension, and what actually makes a mystery feel exciting instead of confusing.[06:35] How the fear of being ‘too obvious’ causes writers to hide key details, and why showing your hand sooner can keep readers even more engaged.[10:00] What The Hunger Games can teach us about foreshadowing in fiction through the famous berry scene.[18:00] What it really means to treat your reader like a friend, and how building trust keeps people invested in your story from start to finish.[20:00] Where writers go wrong with multi-POV—and why including more POVs isn't always the way to make your story clear to readersIf you've ever worried that giving too much away will ruin your story, this episode will change how you think about suspense, clarity, and reader trust.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Daniel David Wallace Website The Character First Story Free Writing course⭐ Follow & ReviewIf 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!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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
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#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript
Learn how to work with beta readers in a grounded, calm way so feedback feels useful, not overwhelming.You're nearing the finish line of your first draft, or maybe you've just crossed it. Either way, the question is the same… what happens next? Should you send it to friends? Hire an editor? Bury it in a drawer? Everyone keeps mentioning “beta readers,” but what does that actually mean? And how do you find the right ones without losing your mind or your confidence?In this episode, I’m breaking down the entire beta-reader process so you can take your book from first draft to ready-to-share with total clarity (and zero panic).You’ll hear me talk about things like:[01:45] What beta readers actually do (and what they don't), so you approach this next step with the right intentions to avoid disappointment. [02:55] The "blind spot” problem every author faces after finishing a draft, and how beta readers give you a fresh perspective when you're too close to your story. [05:15] Where to find reliable, genre-savvy beta readers that don’t ghost you and deliver quality feedback instead of vague opinions.[09:25] How to set clear expectations before beta readers start so you get useful, specific notes instead of confusing contradictions.[14:45] What to do after the feedback arrives: how to sort through conflicting opinions, decide what to keep, and turn it all into a calm, actionable revision plan.Finishing your first draft is a huge accomplishment, but inviting beta readers in can feel like a whole new level of vulnerability. This episode will help you take that next step with composure so you can share your story, stay true to your vision, and come out the other side with a stronger manuscript and a clearer sense of direction.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:The Spun Yarn for beta readersTake the Author Success Blueprint Quiz to get personalized next steps for your writing, editing, and publishing journey.Ready to map out your complete editing journey from first draft to published novel? Get your step-by-step editing roadmap → here. ⭐ Follow & ReviewIf 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!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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
Über Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
Fiction Writing Made Easy is your go-to podcast for practical, no-fluff tips on how to write, edit, and publish a novel—from first draft to finished book. Hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo, this show breaks down the fiction writing process into clear, actionable steps so you can finally make progress on your manuscript.Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking to sharpen your skills, each episode offers insights on novel writing, story structure, character development, world-building, editing, and publishing. Savannah also shares mindset tips, writing routines, and revision strategies to help you stay motivated and finish your novel with confidence.If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place:How do I write a novel without experience?What’s the best way to structure a story that works?How do I develop strong characters and build immersive worlds?How do I edit or revise my first draft?When is my book ready to publish?What are my self-publishing and traditional publishing options?New episodes drop weekly to help you write a novel you're proud of—and get it into readers’ hands.
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