#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: 50:05
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: 50

Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
Podcast Episodes
Bonus: How 3 Writers Found a Clear Path Through All the Writing Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:06
If you’ve read the craft books, listened to hundreds of podcast episodes, and studied all kinds of writing advice—but still sit down at your desk wondering, okay, what am I actually supposed to work on today?—this episod…
#262. 10 Tips to Make Your Enemies to Lovers Romance Feel Believable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:24
If you're writing an enemies to lovers romance, getting your characters from “I can't stand you” to “I love you” takes more than chemistry. Here’s how to write enemies to lovers in a way that makes that turn feel convinc…
#261. 5 Mistakes Writers Make Using the Save the Cat! Beat Sheet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:41
If you’re using the Save the Cat! beat sheet to outline your novel but your story still feels flat, disconnected, or hard to draft, one of these five common mistakes may be the reason why. The Save the Cat! beat sheet is…
#259. How to Finish a Novel With Kids at Home & Limited Writing Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:17
You don't need a perfect writing schedule (or a quiet house) to finish your novel. Here are five ways to keep making real progress on your book with kids at home and barely any free time. If you've been telling yourself…
#258. 5 Myths Keeping You From Finishing Your First Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:27
If you keep working on your novel but never seem to get closer to “The End,” these five novel writing myths may explain why—and show you what to do differently. If you've been working on the same novel for months (or yea…
#254. How to Outline Your Novel With the Hero’s Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:59
Learn how to outline your novel using the Hero’s Journey—without mistaking this classic framework for a complete story blueprint. The Hero’s Journey is one of the most widely recognized story frameworks out there. But kn…