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!Ready to stop overthinking and start writing? Join my LIVE 3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp and I'll help you go from stuck and overwhelmed to clear, confident, and ready to write your story. Click here to save your spot for just $27!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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#205. How Story Structure Can Free Your Creativity and Help You Finish Your Novel
The myth of "writing free" is keeping talented writers stuck on Chapter One. Here's why story structure actually enhances creativity—and how to use it to finally finish your novel.You've been told that outlining kills creativity. That real writers don't need structure. That planning your novel will turn it into a formulaic mess. But what if everything you believe about story structure is wrong?In this episode, I'm revealing why the writers who resist structure often end up trapped in the smallest creative box of all—and how embracing the right kind of framework can actually set your imagination free.Tune in to hear me talk about:[02:00] The romantic myth of the "pure" creative process and why the image of writers channeling pure inspiration without planning is actually sabotaging your novel writing journey[02:22] What really happens when you try to "just write" without structure (and the predictable pattern that traps pantsers: from magical first chapters to tangled plots to endless rewrites of your opening pages)[04:34] Why constraints breed creativity—and how having boundaries actually pushes you past the obvious into innovative storytelling[05:43] The 5 hidden costs of avoiding story structure (aka what you're really sacrificing when you resist novel outlining)[08:27] Why understanding story beats and plot points doesn't make your writing formulaic and how it actually makes your story more powerfulPlus, I share real examples of writers who went from structure-phobic to finishing their first novels in record time—including one creative writing student who completed 114,000 words in just 88 days after finally embracing the outlining process!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Read the full blog post hereJoin 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!Ready to stop overthinking and start writing? Join my LIVE 3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp and I'll help you go from stuck and overwhelmed to clear, confident, and ready to write your story. Click here to save your spot for just $27!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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#204. Student Spotlight: Why Overlearning Is Holding You Back: Neroli Lacey’s Journey to Publishing Success
After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Neroli Lacey discovered that too much knowledge was actually keeping her stuck—until she learned to implement instead of accumulate.Today I'm chatting with Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer's Secret (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, International Book Awards Winner, and National Indie Excellence Award Winner), about how focusing on implementation over information finally helped her transform her messy manuscript into an award-winning Women’s Fiction novel.In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:[05:55] Why owning "every craft book imaginable" and studying with top editors still left her with an unfinished novel (and the overwhelm that comes from trying to follow multiple systems at once)[07:30] The three foundational shifts that moved Neroli from scattered studying to focused execution—and finally finishing her first draft[10:55] Why she chose hybrid publishing over traditional (and what that two-year process actually looked like)[13:50] How a self-proclaimed introvert built a 3,000-person newsletter by focusing on book recommendations instead of writing updates[22:40] Neroli’s advice for aspiring authors who are working on finishing their first book—"You don't have to know what you're doing—you take the first step and the path appears."If you've been collecting craft books but struggling to finish your novel, Neroli's story will resonate. Press play to discover why implementation beats accumulation every time!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Neroli Lacey’s websiteNeroli Lacey on InstagramGrab a FREE copy of Neroli’s book here!Buy The Perfumer’s Secret by Neroli LaceySue Campbell for book marketingJoin 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!Ready to stop overthinking and start writing? Join my LIVE 3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp and I'll help you go from stuck and overwhelmed to clear, confident, and ready to write your story. Click here to save your spot for just $27!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: How 3 Perfectionists Finally Broke Free & Finished Their First Drafts
What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent or time?"I need to get this right before I move on" keeps aspiring authors stuck forever. But here's what I've discovered... Perfectionism isn't about having high standards. It's about fear. Fear of judgment, failure, or not being "good enough."In this episode, you'll hear from three reformed perfectionists who broke free from the endless editing trap and finished their novels. Meet Pornika, who delayed starting for months thinking she needed every detail figured out first. Amy, working on her eighth novel but never finishing because she'd spend weeks perfecting each chapter. And Kara, who wrote 100,000 words but got overwhelmed trying to fix its problems.None of them lowered their standards. Instead, they discovered something far more powerful: how to write messy and make real progress.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:10] How a corporate finance professional went from months of planning paralysis to 114k words in 88 days using the fast drafting technique that changed everything[05:15] Why a writer starting her eighth novel finally broke her pattern of endless chapter editing and discovered the foundational skills that put her "in the power seat"[06:00] Why understanding theme, genre conventions, and scene structure actually makes writing easier and more enjoyable, not more restrictive[07:30] The "magical revisions" technique that lets you keep moving forward without getting bogged down in details you haven't figured out yet[09:00] The structural breakthrough that helped one writer transform a problematic 100k-word manuscript into a publishable novel[15:00] How to shift from perfectionist paralysis to forward momentum without sacrificing the quality you care aboutReady to stop polishing and start finishing? Join Poornika, Amy, Kara, and hundreds of other reformed perfectionists who've discovered that messy first drafts lead to better novels. Get on the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course and get my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works. Don’t miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you’re proud of!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Grab my free guide to see how real writers (like you!) pushed past these roadblocks to finish their novels: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break ThroughPoornika Kakkanaiah InstagramAmi Blackford InstagramKara Kentley 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 podReady to stop overthinking and start writing? Join my LIVE 3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp and I'll help you go from stuck and overwhelmed to clear, confident, and ready to write your story. Click here to save your spot for just $27!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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#203. Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead)
All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't finish your novel. Here's what's really happening—and the simple shift that changes everything.You know that browser folder labeled "Writing Advice"? The one with 147 articles about plot structure and 83 posts on character development? Yeah, that one. What if I told you it's actually keeping you stuck?In this episode, I'm exposing the "writing advice trap" that catches even the most dedicated writers. After helping hundreds of writers finish their novels, I've discovered why the most knowledgeable writers often write the least (and what you can do differently starting today). Tune in to hear me talk about:[00:52] Why writers who read the most writing advice often can't finish their novels (the pattern that surprised me)[01:53] How to stop rewriting Chapter One forever (and what broke the cycle for a writer stuck for 5 years[03:44] Save the Cat vs Hero's Journey vs Story Grid (and why contradictory writing advice is keeping you stuck[08:16] The 3 things successful writers do differently to actually finish their first draft[12:20] How to choose a writing method and stick with it (plus the one question that changes everything)The truth? Any complete system works better than ten partial systems. You don't need the "perfect" method. You need to pick one and follow it all the way through.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Read the full blog post hereGet your free First Draft RoadmapJoin 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!Ready to stop overthinking and start writing? Join my LIVE 3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp and I'll help you go from stuck and overwhelmed to clear, confident, and ready to write your story. Click here to save your spot for just $27!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.
Acerca de 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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