209. How to Revise Your Novel Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind) With Alice Sudlow
Discover the counterintuitive first draft editing approach that transforms messy manuscripts into page-turning novels readers love.Most fiction writers struggle with novel revision because they jump straight into editing their manuscript after finishing their first draft. This approach leads to endless rewrites, overwhelming confusion, and stories that get stuck in endless Chapter 1 revisions, never reaching completion.Developmental editor Alice Sudlow joins me to share her systematic approach to story editing, which helps writers overcome these revision challenges.Her revision framework eliminates the guesswork from the editing process, so writers avoid common mistakes that can keep manuscripts stuck in development.Here's what we cover:[08:11] Why taking a 4-week break after finishing your first draft gives your mind the mental shift needed for effective manuscript revision.[10:26] How to create an outline of your completed draft without making changes, yet (the crucial step that reveals your story's true structure.)[14:38] The fundamental questions that uncover the hidden keys in your story and transform good ideas into compelling narratives that readers can't put down.[17:46] Why developmental editing is where the real magic happens in fiction writing and how to fall in love with the revision process.[38:01] How to escape the endless rewriting cycle that traps writers in Chapter 1 forever and finally complete your novel revisions.Whether you're a first-time novelist struggling with how to edit your manuscript or an experienced writer looking for a better revision strategy, this episode provides the framework you need to turn your draft into a story that agents and readers will love.Tune in now.⭐ 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!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Grab Alice’s FREE Roadmap to a Revision That Actually WorksYour Next Draft Podcast (Hosted by Alice Sudlow)Alice Sudlow’s Website 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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208. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 6)
Real writers share how they broke free from endless rewrites and abandoned drafts to finally finish their novels in just 90 days—using the exact framework that can unlock your story too.In this episode, I’m sharing real, inspiring stories from fiction writers who went from stuck and overwhelmed to finishing their novels using the exact framework I teach in Notes to Novel.You’ll hear from fantasy writers, contemporary fiction authors, and more—writers who were trapped in endless rewrites, drowning in revision loops, or paralyzed by perfectionism. They all discovered that finishing a novel isn’t about working harder—it’s about having the right process.Here’s what you’ll learn from their breakthroughs:[02:25] How Jennifer broke free from a 3-year struggle with the same manuscript by treating her outline as a flexible “map” instead of a rigid plan.[06:30] Why Nefer finally escaped a 5-year line editing loop by focusing on story structure before prose—and how this one shift transformed her writing process.[10:25] How Tiara went from writing 2,000-word short stories to completing an 80,000-word novel without feeling overwhelmed—by breaking it into manageable scenes.[14:00] The moment Jen realized she didn’t need an MFA to write fiction—just a clear strategy—and finished her first draft in 90 days after spending 2 years stuck on 10 pages.[16:55] How Sheila used genre frameworks to outline a 4-book series AND a standalone novel after spinning her wheels despite reading every craft book out there.Whether you’re stuck rewriting Chapter 1, have abandoned manuscripts piling up, or feel paralyzed by novel structure, these writers prove that finishing your book is possible—even with a busy life and no formal creative writing training.Ready to make your own breakthrough? Enrollment for Notes to Novel closes on August 28th, and we won’t open again until next year. Head to savannahgilbo.com/notes-to-novel to learn more and join the program that’s helped over 800 writers make real progress on their books.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Notes to NovelJennifer Landers on InstagramNefer Doane’s website and InstagramTiara Ito’s website and InstagramSheila Holmes on Instagram⭐ 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!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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207. What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works
Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve started writing, but something feels... off. The story isn’t coming together the way you imagined, and you’re not sure why.You’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this because they’re missing the foundational elements that make a story work. It’s not about writing beautiful sentences or having a brilliant idea—it’s about knowing how to build a story that readers can’t put down.In this episode, I’m breaking down the five key elements every successful novel needs to hook agents and readers. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or revising for querying, this episode will help you craft a story that works and keeps readers turning the pages.Tune in to learn:[02:40] Why beautiful prose isn’t enough to get published—and the real reason agents reject manuscripts[03:45] The 5 essential elements every successful novel needs to hook agents and readers[04:15] How to create characters readers care about—even if they’re not “likable”[05:20] Why stakes and conflict are the backbone of every compelling story (and how to get them right)[08:25] The secret to crafting an emotional journey that keeps readers turning pages If you’ve been focusing on perfecting your prose but struggling to create a story that works—or if you’ve faced rejection despite positive feedback on your writing style—this episode will transform how you approach novel writing and the publishing process.⭐ 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!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Ready to finally write the novel you’ve been dreaming of? Join Notes to Novel—my 8-week live coaching program where I’ll guide you step-by-step to craft a compelling story agents request, and readers devour. Enrollment is open now, but doors close soon—grab your spot today!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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#206. Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One Year
After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece that helped her finish writing not just one novel, but two books in a single year.Today I'm chatting with Gina Elizabeth, indie fantasy romance author of the Bonded in Blood series (and Notes to Novel graduate!), about her transformation from someone who couldn't finish a book to a published author of multiple books.In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:[04:00] Why she couldn't get past chapter 6 for two decades—and the surprising tool she didn't even know existed that changed everything[09:15] How learning to outline a novel actually freed Gina’s creativity instead of stifling it (plus why her outline felt "chaotic and crazy" but worked anyway)[10:50] What happened when I suggested Gina cut 20% of her draft (and how she turned those cut scenes into a prequel novella that readers love)[20:30] The "write forward" technique that helped Gina overcome writer's block and finish her first draft in 6-12 months[25:00] A behind-the-scenes look at Gina’s marketing plans, including what’s working so far and what she still plans to do before book 2’s releaseIf you're tired of abandoned manuscripts and ready to finally finish your novel, Gina's journey from 20 years of false starts to published author proves it's never too late to learn how. Press play to discover the exact strategies that helped her break through the chapter six curse for good.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Hunted (Bonded By Blood) by Gina ElizabethHide: A Bonded In Blood Novella by Gina ElizabethGina Elizabeth on InstagramGina Elizabeth’s WebsiteJoin the Notes to Novel waitlist⭐ 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!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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Bonus: Plotting for Pantsers: How 3 Writers Found Freedom in Story Structure
The myth that plotting kills creativity is keeping countless discovery writers stuck in an endless cycle of abandoned manuscripts—but what if structure could actually set your creativity free?If you're a pantser convinced that outlining will ruin your creative process, or you've been discovery writing through multiple unfinished manuscripts, this episode will change how you think about story structure.You'll hear from three committed pantsers who thought outlining meant creative death. Katherine could sprint to 50k words in three weeks but spent a year editing manuscripts she'd abandon. Bree followed "only see as far as your headlights" advice for a decade, stuck on the same 25 pages. Casey watched her stories die in the middle with no way forward.Their discoveries transformed their entire approach to storytelling—proving that the right structure actually amplifies creativity instead of stifling it.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:15] How a discovery writer transformed 7 abandoned manuscripts into a polished novel by creating a "flexible outline" while drafting—eliminating 9 months of developmental editing[4:50] The simple daily practice of checking scenes for goal, motivation, and conflict that turned a chronic underwriter's 50k-word sprint into a robust 72k-word draft[08:45] Why the common pantser advice to "only see as far as your headlights" kept one writer stuck on the same 25 pages for a decade (and what finally freed her)[09:25] How understanding genre expectations finally helped a pantser break through the dreaded middle of her novel where stories kept dying[11:20] Why "pantsing with direction" gives discovery writers the best of both worlds—creative spontaneity with a clear story roadmap to reach "The End"If you're ready to find the perfect balance between structure and creativity—and want the complete framework these writers used to finish their novels—join the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course. Don’t miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you’re proud of!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Grab this free guide to see how real writers (like you!) pushed past the most common writing roadblocks to finish their novels: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break ThroughKatherine Varley on InstagramBree Cox on InstagramCasey Drillette on Instagram⭐ 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!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.
About 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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