#191. Fiction Genres Made Easy: Understanding the 5 Dimensions of Genre
Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your novel with clarity and confidence.Ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, excited about your story idea but utterly confused about how to describe its genre? 😩 This kind of uncertainty isn't just frustrating. It can have serious consequences for your writing, editing, and publishing journey.Here’s what you need to know: There are actually five different layers of genre that work together to describe your unique story. Think of this as your story's "genre DNA"—a description that gives readers a comprehensive picture of your work.Tune into this episode to learn:[02:22] How to determine if your novel is commercial, literary, or upmarket fiction—and why this positioning matters when writing, editing, and publishing[05:21] Why your story's time period affects everything from research requirements to character development (and what this means for fantasy authors whose stories often take place in their own temporal contexts)[07:32] How to select the appropriate age category for your target readers and why this critical decision shapes your word count, content, and marketing options[11:30] The different reality settings available for your story world and practical ways to manage worldbuilding without getting overwhelmed[18:15] How your story’s content genre can serve as your writing roadmap by defining the emotional experience readers expect from a story like yoursWhether you're drafting your first novel or preparing to query agents, this episode will help you define your story's genre so you can write with direction, revise with purpose, and market your book with confidence.⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review! 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!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Ep. #2 - How To Choose The Right Genre For Your StoryFree Worksheet: Discover Your Story’s Unique Genre DNAFREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.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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#190. Novel Editing: 10 Steps to Editing Your First Draft
Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?" Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. Or maybe you’re just avoiding it altogether.If your excitement about finishing your draft has given way to editing anxiety, you're not alone. Every author—even the most seasoned professionals—reaches this crossroads, where the path forward seems foggy at best.Tune in to learn the exact novel editing framework that has helped my clients and students transform their messy drafts into completed manuscripts.You’ll hear me talk about things like:[06:21] The game-changing approach to organizing your editing notes that’ll prevent months of wasted time and getting stuck in "revision loops"[07:17] How mapping what you actually wrote (not what you intended to write) can expose the hidden strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript[10:05] The #1 mistake first-time novelists make when editing their messy first drafts (and how to avoid falling into this all too common trap)[16:05] The four-category sorting system that helps you prioritize feedback and make confident decisions about which changes to implement[23:22] How your publishing path impacts your editing to-do list (and which steps to take if you’re self-publishing or traditional publishing)If you've finally finished your first draft but find yourself paralyzed by the editing process, or if you've been revising the same chapters for months without making real progress, this episode gives you the clear, structured approach you need.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Novel Editing Roadmap: 10 Steps To Editing Your First Draft (Free Guide)Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.⭐ 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! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.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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#189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko
Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fiction novel after decades of dreaming about it.Are you stuck with half-finished manuscripts or endlessly revising the same chapters? Does your story refuse to translate from your imagination to the page the way you envision it?You're not alone. The very perfectionism that drives you to write can become the biggest obstacle to finishing your novel.In this episode, Cheryl Arko shares her transformative journey from decades of false starts to published author at 72, revealing the exact strategies that helped her finally complete her science fiction novel after years of struggle.Tune in to hear:[14:31] The reverse outlining technique that revealed why Cheryl’s scenes weren't working (and exactly how to fix them)[17:47] How entering a writing competition boosted her confidence and validated her manuscript's potential (and earned her a finalist spot!)[20:39] The two-phase writing approach that freed Cheryl from perfectionism paralysis (and helped her make twice the progress in half the time)[29:35] How developing her antagonist into a more three-dimensional character solved plot problems Cheryl had been stuck on for months[35:01] The practical reasons Cheryl chose self-publishing at 72 (and how to decide what's right for you based on your timeline and goals)If you've ever abandoned a manuscript or worried it's too late to realize your writing dreams, this episode proves that with the right approach, you can finally type "The End" on your novel—no matter your age or how long you've been trying.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Cheryl Arko’s websiteBuy Cheryl’s book on AmazonEp. #40 - How to Write a Well-Structured Scene⭐ 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!FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.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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#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months.Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't know what you're doing." And then you're staring at a blinking cursor, completely frozen.Sound familiar?If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting your first novel or you've been trying to finish that draft for months (or years!), these mental roadblocks aren't signs of failure—they're normal challenges every writer faces.Tune in to this episode to hear five proven mindset strategies from professional book coaches and editors who have helped countless first-time novelists overcome writer's block, self-doubt, and procrastination to finally type "The End" on their first drafts.[02:11] The surprising mindset shift that turns "This writing is terrible" into productive writing sessions[08:41] How to carve out writing time that actually works (without quitting your day job or neglecting your family)[14:43] Why waiting to "feel inspired" is killing your novel—and the counterintuitive approach that actually works[20:12] The five simple questions that can rescue your story when you're stuck in the dreaded "middle slump"[27:08] How strategic "neglect" might be the missing ingredient to finally type "The End" on your manuscriptIf you're an aspiring author who is writing your first draft, or if you've started multiple manuscripts but keep getting stuck in the middle, this episode's for you!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Get on the waitlist for my Notes to Novel course!Candace Coakley’s website and InstagramSam Henke’s website and InstagramJenny Luke’s website and InstagramKarla Diaz’s website and InstagramSam Cameron’s website and Instagram⭐ 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 tFREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.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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#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal
Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans.Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist.Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone whose superpower is brainstorming plot twists?Samantha Skal is the director of Thriller Fest, the co-founder of Shadows and Secrets Writing Retreats (held in Salem’s most haunted hotel!), and a certified Author Accelerator book coach specializing in mystery, thriller, and suspense. So to say she knows a thing or two about crafting plot twists would be an understatement.In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:[04:45] The difference between using red herrings in mysteries and thrillers(and why mixing them up might be killing your story's suspense)[07:11] Why "playing fair" with readers is the cardinal rule of plot twist writing—and how breaking it turns clever twists into manipulative disappointments[15:12] Why starting with your villain (not your protagonist) is the secret to crafting plot twists that are surprising yet inevitable[24:00] How your character's personal baggage can become your most powerful tool for misdirecting readers (without feeling manipulative)[40:45] The counterintuitive reason why vague storytelling kills suspense—and what to do instead to create maximum tensionWhether you're excited to start your first novel or stuck somewhere in the middle of a manuscript, wondering how to surprise your readers, this episode will help you craft plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. ⭐ 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:Samantha Skal’s websiteShadows & Secrets RetreatsFreebie: 17 Thriller Twist Ideas to Jumpstart Your BrainsFREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.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.
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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