#246. Story Mapping: How to Map Your Novel With Sticky Notes (With Danyel Nicole)

#246. Story Mapping: How to Map Your Novel With Sticky Notes (With Danyel Nicole)

Author: Savannah Gilbo May 5, 2026 Duration: 21:07
What if getting stuck on your novel has nothing to do with your story and everything to do with HOW you're seeing it? Story mapping coach Danyel Nicole found that out firsthand. When Danyel's first draft started to feel off, she got up from her desk one night, grabbed butcher paper and sticky notes, and mapped out her entire story on the wall in her hallway. Within an hour, she could finally see what was working—and what wasn't. This discovery changed everything about her novel-writing proces...

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 with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
Podcast Episodes
#249. 5 POV Mistakes That Pull Readers Out of Your Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:23
Most fiction writers are making at least one of these point of view mistakes. Find out which one could be hiding in your draft. You know that feeling when a scene isn't quite working, but you can't put your finger on why…
#247. 5 Secrets to Writing YA Fiction (That Actually Feels Like YA) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:15
Learn the five craft secrets to writing young adult fiction that actually feels like YA—so when you sit down to write your own, you know exactly what to aim for. You know what YA feels like when a book is doing it right.…
#245. 5 Ways to Show Worldbuilding in Your Novel Without Info-Dumping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:19
Master these 5 worldbuilding techniques to immerse readers in your fictional world without infodumping or overwhelming them. If you've ever sat down to write a scene and ended up with three paragraphs of explanation befo…
#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…