#260. Student Spotlight: From Stuck at 25k Words to a Finished Draft With Lindsay Sfara

#260. Student Spotlight: From Stuck at 25k Words to a Finished Draft With Lindsay Sfara

Author: Savannah Gilbo August 11, 2026 Duration: 40:27
After stalling out on a draft she'd already outlined chapter by chapter, Lindsay Sfara discovered the story development work that has to come before an outline—and turned that stuck manuscript into a published debut novel. Today I'm chatting with Lindsay Sfara, superhero fantasy author of Aero Knights: Origins and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how developing her story before outlining it finally helped her finish the book she'd been trying to write for years. In this episode, you'll hear u...

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
#252. Value Shifts: How to Tell if a Scene Is Working (or Falling Flat) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:34
If you’ve got a scene that feels flat and you can’t figure out why, this episode will help you diagnose what’s really going on—so you know whether the scene is working, needs strengthening, or may not belong in your stor…
#249. 5 POV Mistakes That Pull Readers Out of Your Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
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: 23:17
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: 20:21
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…