Real writers share how they broke free from endless rewrites and abandoned drafts to finally finish their novels in just 90 days—using the exact framework that can unlock your story too.

In this episode, I’m sharing real, inspiring stories from fiction writers who went from stuck and overwhelmed to finishing their novels using the exact framework I teach in Notes to Novel.

You’ll hear from fantasy writers, contemporary fiction authors, and more—writers who were trapped in endless rewrites, drowning in revision loops, or paralyzed by perfectionism. They all discovered that finishing a novel isn’t about working harder—it’s about having the right process.

Here’s what you’ll learn from their breakthroughs:

• [02:25] How Jennifer broke free from a 3-year struggle with the same manuscript by treating her outline as a flexible “map” instead of a rigid plan.
• [06:30] Why Nefer finally escaped a 5-year line editing loop by focusing on story structure before prose—and how this one shift transformed her writing process.
• [10:25] How Tiara went from writing 2,000-word short stories to completing an 80,000-word novel without feeling overwhelmed—by breaking it into manageable scenes.
• [14:00] The moment Jen realized she didn’t need an MFA to write fiction—just a clear strategy—and finished her first draft in 90 days after spending 2 years stuck on 10 pages.
• [16:55] How Sheila used genre frameworks to outline a 4-book series AND a standalone novel after spinning her wheels despite reading every craft book out there.

Whether you’re stuck rewriting Chapter 1, have abandoned manuscripts piling up, or feel paralyzed by novel structure, these writers prove that finishing your book is possible—even with a busy life and no formal creative writing training.

Ready to make your own breakthrough? Enrollment for Notes to Novel closes on August 28th, and we won’t open again until next year. Head to savannahgilbo.com/notes-to-novel to learn more and join the program that’s helped over 800 writers make real progress on their books.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Notes to Novel
• Jennifer Landers on Instagram
• Nefer Doane’s website and Instagram
• Tiara Ito’s website and Instagram
• Sheila Holmes on Instagram

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If 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!

NOTES TO NOVEL IS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT! 🎉 No more false starts. No more guesswork. In just 8 weeks, you’ll have the clarity, confidence, and system to finally write your novel—and keep going. Enrollment closes August 28th! Join Notes to Novel now →

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve started writing, but something feels... off. The story isn’t coming together the way you imagined, and you’re not sure why.

You’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this because they’re missing the foundational elements that make a story work. It’s not about writing beautiful sentences or having a brilliant idea—it’s about knowing how to build a story that readers can’t put down.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the five key elements every successful novel needs to hook agents and readers. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or revising for querying, this episode will help you craft a story that works and keeps readers turning the pages.

Tune in to learn:

• [02:40] Why beautiful prose isn’t enough to get published—and the real reason agents reject manuscripts
• [03:45] The 5 essential elements every successful novel needs to hook agents and readers
• [04:15] How to create characters readers care about—even if they’re not “likable”
• [05:20] Why stakes and conflict are the backbone of every compelling story (and how to get them right)
• [08:25] The secret to crafting an emotional journey that keeps readers turning pages

If you’ve been focusing on perfecting your prose but struggling to create a story that works—or if you’ve faced rejection despite positive feedback on your writing style—this episode will transform how you approach novel writing and the publishing process.

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ready to finally write the novel you’ve been dreaming of? Join Notes to Novel—my 8-week live coaching program where I’ll guide you step-by-step to craft a compelling story agents request, and readers devour. Enrollment is open now, but doors close soon—grab your spot today!

NOTES TO NOVEL IS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT! 🎉 No more false starts. No more guesswork. In just 8 weeks, you’ll have the clarity, confidence, and system to finally write your novel—and keep going. Enrollment closes August 28th! Join Notes to Novel now →

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.

After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece that helped her finish writing not just one novel, but two books in a single year.

Today I'm chatting with Gina Elizabeth, indie fantasy romance author of the Bonded in Blood series (and Notes to Novel graduate!), about her transformation from someone who couldn't finish a book to a published author of multiple books.

In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:

• [04:00] Why she couldn't get past chapter 6 for two decades—and the surprising tool she didn't even know existed that changed everything
• [09:15] How learning to outline a novel actually freed Gina’s creativity instead of stifling it (plus why her outline felt "chaotic and crazy" but worked anyway)
• [10:50] What happened when I suggested Gina cut 20% of her draft (and how she turned those cut scenes into a prequel novella that readers love)
• [20:30] The "write forward" technique that helped Gina overcome writer's block and finish her first draft in 6-12 months
• [25:00] A behind-the-scenes look at Gina’s marketing plans, including what’s working so far and what she still plans to do before book 2’s release

If you're tired of abandoned manuscripts and ready to finally finish your novel, Gina's journey from 20 years of false starts to published author proves it's never too late to learn how. Press play to discover the exact strategies that helped her break through the chapter six curse for good.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Hunted (Bonded By Blood) by Gina Elizabeth
• Hide: A Bonded In Blood Novella by Gina Elizabeth
• Gina Elizabeth on Instagram
• Gina Elizabeth’s Website
• Join the Notes to Novel waitlist

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

NOTES TO NOVEL IS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT! 🎉 No more false starts. No more guesswork. In just 8 weeks, you’ll have the clarity, confidence, and system to finally write your novel—and keep going. Enrollment closes August 28th! Join Notes to Novel now →

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.