#250. Why Your First Draft Doesn't Match the Book in Your Head (with Gala Russ)

#250. Why Your First Draft Doesn't Match the Book in Your Head (with Gala Russ)

From Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice by Savannah Gilbo

June 2, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 250

About this episode

In this episode, Savannah Gilbo discusses the 'taste gap' in writing with book coach Gala Russ, exploring why first drafts often don't match the author's vision.

A book coach who's written 15 novels pulls back the curtain on what's really happening when your messy first draft disappoints you. Ever finished a chapter, read it back, and realized the words on the page don't match the story in your head? There's a name for that. It's called the “taste gap,” and it often shows up among serious, lifelong readers. In this episode, I sit down with book coach and publishing strategist Gala Russ (who's written 15 novels) to talk about the taste gap,...

People in this episode

Host: Savannah Gilbo

Guest: Gala Russ

Topics covered

  • first draft
  • taste gap
  • book coaching
  • writing process
  • novel writing

Keywords

  • first draft
  • taste gap
  • book coach
  • writing tips
  • novels
  • creative writing

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