Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

#223. Permission to Start: How to Move Past ‘Not Ready Yet’ and Finish Your Novel

Dec 9, 2025

Uncover the hidden fears behind feeling 'not ready' to write your novel. Discover how endless research can trap you in preparation mode, preventing action. Learn that clarity emerges only through drafting, not planning. Embrace the idea of starting imperfectly and use low-pressure writing experiments to build confidence. Hear inspiring stories of writers who overcame perfectionism and finished their novels. Equip yourself with diagnostic questions to differentiate between needing more prep and just avoiding decisions.

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INSIGHT

Readiness Comes From Doing

Readiness is built by action, not by accumulating more information.
Savannah Gilbo says you stop waiting when you start building confidence through doing.

INSIGHT

Research Can Be Avoidance

Endless research feels productive but often hides fear and avoidance.
Savannah Gilbo notes research creates new standards and increases confusion instead of progress.

INSIGHT

Courage Is Permission To Begin

Courage to start means permission to be imperfect, not confidence first.
Savannah Gilbo reframes readiness as permission to begin while scared.

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Discover why “I’m not ready yet” is a fear-driven mindset and learn how to take small, confident steps that move your novel forward.

So many writers get trapped in the feeling that they need more time, more research, or more clarity before they can truly start their first draft. And on the surface, that sounds reasonable. But most of the time, “I’m not ready yet” is a sign that you're scared to make the wrong choice, afraid to write something imperfect, or petrified you won't live up to your idea.

In today’s episode, I want to help you understand what's really underneath the “I’m not ready” feeling, how to recognize when planning has quietly turned into procrastination, and how small, low-pressure experiments can help you build momentum right now. My goal is to help you shift out of waiting mode and into action so your story can finally start taking shape.

This is what I talk about:

[02:30] The hidden fear driving “I'm not ready yet” and why it shows up for even the most motivated writers.

[03:15] How research becomes a safety blanket, and the mindset shift that moves you from learner to creator.

[04:45] The real reason clarity doesn’t arrive before you start writing and how drafting gives you the answers you’re looking for.

[07:45] Simple “safe to fail” experiments that lower the stakes and help you build confidence on the page

[09:35] How to tell whether you actually need more foundation work or you're using prep to avoid making decisions.

You don't need to feel ready to start writing your novel. You just need permission to begin, and that confidence can come from you today. Tune in and take the very first step toward finishing your first draft.

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