The first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of novel writing. Revealing the 15 “beats” (plot points) that comprise … (plot points) that comprise a successful story–from the opening image to the finale–this book lays out the Ten Story Genres (Monster in the House; Whydunit; Dude with a Problem) alongside quirky, original insights (Save the Cat; Shard of Glass) to help novelists craft a plot that will captivate–and a novel that will sell.
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I’ve been a fan of Save the Cat by Blake Snyder for years; on the mysteries of writing a compelling plot, it’s exceptional, without all the heavy freight that usually comes with books on that subject. Plus, he’s funny. (That never hurts!) I’ve stayed away from all the spin-off Save the Cat books; what could be better than the original? Now, however, I’ve been converted to SAVE THE CAT WRITES A NOVEL by Jessica Brody. I think it’s fantastic. I’ve even stayed awake late into the night gobbling it up. Clear and inspiring — I highly recommend it to all novelists.
I am so excited to plot my next novel with this book by my side. It is loaded with helpful guidelines for every genre and real world examples from well-known books to help put it all into perspective. The templates for the logline and short synopsis alone make this guide well worth the purchase price. This book is one that I will reference again and again. Well done!
If you’ve ever looked into screenwriting you’ll have heard of Black Snyder’s book “Save The Cat!” which is basically the de facto Screenwriter’s Bible.
This brilliant book applies Snyder’s principles to the novel form.
A wonderful way into solid plotting.
As a relatively new author, I found this book very valuable. It lays out a good system for laying out a book in a compelling way. That method seems a tad formulaic, but you don’t have to follow it slavishly and it does help with a lot of key points. This adds to my writing skillset.
It was also helpful because I’ve heard a lot of speakers at writing events speak in these terms so now I know what they’re talking about.
this book not only explains everything about writing a good novel, but it stimulates the readers to go outside their own box and try new options, genres, and approached to write their best manuscript.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody is a fantastic resource on writing craft. Based on Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! series for screenwriters, Brody teaches how to skillfully use the elements of plotting and storytelling employed by Hollywood and apply them to the novel-writing process.
Clear and concise, the book provides a step-by-step method for plotting a novel along with detailed explanations of the purpose behind each beat. It also teaches about characterization, theme, and ten story types that encompass all literature along with the specific elements that make each one unique. Beat sheets for famous novels within each story type are also included.
Overflowing with a wealth of useful information, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is both practical and easy to understand. The most illuminating book on novel structure that I’ve ever read, it’s a valuable resource that I know I’ll return to again and again as I continue to write. Worth every penny, and then some!
I’m not one for picking up just any book on writing. I am a pantser, which means I despise planning my projects. I have tried in the past to plan them, and it never stays the same. So I quit. But this book is not against pantsing.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is a great look into the meat of storytelling. It helps you to find the fifteen ‘beats’ of your project. Knowing these beats will help to strengthen the structure of your book as well as help you to come up with a way to market your book. The simple language and the many examples of beat sheets from books of all kinds will help to improve your ability to structure your books.
The best part about this book is that it honestly doesn’t matter whether you’re a plotter or a pantser. You can use the information in this book at almost any point in the writing and revision of your novel. I would recommend this to writers of all skills and fiction books. Great book!
Hey future authors, aspiring authors, published authors, if you are wondering how to get started, how to improve, how to step up your writing techniques, this is the book for you. The author, shares some great insights on how to push your novel to the next level. A must read for all authors.
This is a really useful book that I think every writer can learn something from, whether you’re new to the craft or have been at it for years. In the past, I’ve mostly just written my stories without thinking too much about structure and acts and beats. Some of it came intuitively, and that’s great, but I will definitely be looking at implementing some of these structures and genres to my current and future works. I would definitely recommend this book to any author out there who is looking for ways to improve their work.
For a book about writing, this is far from dry. I’ve been a fan of the Save the Cat! series for some time so when I heard about this one, I had to get it. Plus it came highly recommended by friends.
I found it derivative of Snyder’s original version, Save the Cat!, which was written for screenwriters but is just as applicable for novelists. For me, Brody’s book added very little value.
Okay, I do love the advice in this book, but I don’t think it is the best if you’re starting with your first draft.
I honestly tried to use the principles and beat sheet for an outline and found myself utterly crippled by it. I had no idea of “theme stated” and the precise percentages of where each beat should occur made my brain hurt. I have’ even written the book, ho do I know where these very specifica bits are supposed to come in.
This book is good though. It does describe exactly what should happen in a story, but I don’t think it should be used when you’re first outlining your novel. Especially as some portions such as “Fun & Games” in the second act (when most writers fund themselves floundering) is incredibly vague.
Rather than serve as a first draft guide (for which I think Libbie Hawker’s “Take Your Pants Off” or Scott King’s outlining book are far more useful), use Save the Cat as your second or third draft check-up and I think you’ll find it far more useful as you’ll already know where your book is going.
Well done, and a fine companion to Blake Snyder’s original Save the Cat book. A terrific resource for novelists.
There are no two ways around it: The Kindle version is pricey. Because of this, I was on the fence about this purchase. After all, I’d been using the original for years. How different could an adaptation be?
I’m pleased to say I was wrong.
Jessica Brody framed concepts in a way that helped me understand them on a fundamental level. From there, I built a new understanding of the STC method as it relates to my novels. In fact, as I progressed through the book, I became more and more excited to re-outline my next project. (Yes, the words “excited” and “re-outline” in the same sentence!) I highly recommend this book.
A fun, invaluable read!
Not a review, more of a thank you! Amazing work,
This book is a great resource for novel writers. Brody’s tips are insightful and provide good direction for building a story.
This is one of the best books on the craft of writing I’ve ever read!
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is not only filled with useful, insightful, and actionable analysis on the structure of successful stories, but it’s easy to read, which is a huge plus for an informational book.
Even if you are a “pantser” and shudder at the thought of outlining, I recommend you read the beat sheet breakdown and genre explanations so that the information can percolate in your subconscious. I have no doubt that reading this book will make me a better writer.
The “Save the Cat! Beat Sheet” breaks down the traditional 3-act structure on story-telling into fifteen distinct single- or multi-scene “beats.” Here’s a *very* brief synopsis:
Act 1 has an Opening Image, Theme Stated, Setup, Catalyst, and Debate. These beats form the backdrop for your story, introduce your main character(s), and provide the inciting incident that will propel your character to change.
Act 2 turns the status quo world upside down and represents the characters chasing their “wants” rather than their “needs.” Characters try to solve the story problem “the wrong way.” This act includes the introduction of a B-story (sometimes a C,D,etc, for as many side stories as you want to weave in). The first half of act 2 is a section called Fun and Games, during which the character either flounders or flourishes in their new world, and culminates in a Midpoint where the character either achieves a false victory or suffers a false defeat. The second half of act 2 is where the Bad Guys Close In (both figurative and literal), culminating in the All is Lost Moment, where the character hits rock bottom. This is immediately followed by the Dark Night of the Soul, in which the character digs deep and learns the theme of the story in order to move forward and attack their problem “the right way.”
Act 3 starts with the “aha!” moment where the character realizes what they really “need.” Then there’s the Finale, which encompasses the lead up to the climax, the final confrontation, and the resolution. And lastly, there’s a Final Image, which should be a foil of the opening image to highlight how the character has grown and changed.
While most of that information might seem like a no-brainer, the explanations and descriptions provided in Save the Cat! Writes a Novel certainly helped to clarify my thinking on a few points. Plus, it was a fast and enjoyable read. I highly recommend.
An Excellent resource for budding writers.
I haven’t yet applied the lessons of this book to a novel, but it seems like a useful guide to structuring an entertaining story. There are ten chapters that each address one story genre, so depending on where you are in the writing process, you may not need to read all of those chapters. I also wish Brody had included a beat sheet for a novel without a happy ending since those don’t seem to fit her story structure as neatly, even though she cites several such books as examples of well-structured novels. But the bottom line is that I plan to implement some of the lessons in this book when I write my next novel.