#228. Student Spotlight: How She Finished Her First Draft in 88 Days (While Working Full-Time) With Poornika Kakkanaiah

#228. Student Spotlight: How She Finished Her First Draft in 88 Days (While Working Full-Time) With Poornika Kakkanaiah

Author: Savannah Gilbo January 8, 2026 Duration: 49:03
Learn how a self-proclaimed perfectionist wrote a 114,000-word first draft in just 88 days—while working full-time and without finding more hours in the day. Poornika didn't have endless hours to write. She had two hours a night after work, some longer weekend sessions, and a chronic illness that sometimes forced her to step away completely. And yet, she finished her novel in 88 days—and went on to sign with her dream agent. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Poornika Kakkanaiah, a for...

Ever find yourself staring at a blank page, wondering how to turn that great idea into a complete novel? You're not alone. Fiction Writing Made Easy exists for exactly that moment, offering a straightforward path through the often-murky process of crafting a story. Host Savannah Gilbo, a developmental editor and book coach, draws on her experience working directly with writers to demystify everything from plot structure and character development to the finer points of editing and preparing a manuscript for publication. Instead of abstract theory, this podcast delivers concrete, usable strategies you can apply to your work immediately. Think of each episode as a focused conversation with a knowledgeable guide who cuts through the overwhelm. You'll hear specific advice on tackling common stumbling blocks, along with deeper dives into the craft elements that transform a rough draft into a compelling book. Whether you're navigating your first draft or polishing your final one, the discussions here are designed to provide clarity and momentum. For anyone committed to finishing their novel, this podcast serves as a reliable, practical resource, breaking down the journey into manageable steps you can actually follow. Tune in to move your story forward, one episode at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
Podcast Episodes
#242. 5 Revision Mistakes That Keep Writers Stuck in Editing Hell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:03
You finished your first draft. And for a minute, it felt amazing. But then you open your manuscript to revise, and suddenly everything feels unclear. Where do you start? What do you fix first? And how do you know if anyt…
#241. Do You Really Need to Hire a Book Editor Before You Query? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:50
Discover why the answer to hiring a book editor before querying isn’t a simple yes or no—and how to make the right call for your manuscript. If you've finished your draft and you're thinking about querying literary agent…
#240. 10 Writing Mistakes That Make Readers Put Down Your Novel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:09
Are you revising the same chapters over and over, but nothing you change is actually fixing the problem? Most writers go straight to the prose when their story isn't working. They tighten sentences, swap out words, and r…
#236. The Truth About AI and Creative Writing with Ana Del Valle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:10
Is AI here to replace novelists, steal ideas, or ruin copyright forever? Let’s separate fear from facts. AI and creative writing are among the most debated topics in the publishing industry right now. Some writers are ex…