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Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need
£10.60£13.20 (-20%)
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 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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Additional information
| Publisher | Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed, Illustrated edition (9 Oct. 2018) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0399579745 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0399579745 |
| Dimensions | 13.97 x 1.85 x 20.96 cm |
by Amazon Customer
I debated for the longest time whether I should get this book or not. Many years ago, I read the original Save the Cat! and loved it so much that I bought my own copy. I wasn’t sure this version would be different enough to justify buying it, but I do love a book on writing. So, I eventually caved because I figured I’d learn something and, well, because I wanted it #noselfcontrol
Best decision I’ve made this month!
Not only did I learn things, I copied one of the drawings and pinned it to my desk, and it’s solved several plot issues I’ve been having with my WIP (How Long ’til Black Future Month by NK Jemisin solved the other).
I’ve had a pretty good structure in place before – a mixture between the original Save the Cat! beat sheet and the one suggested by KM Weiland – but I always felt there was something missing. The one in this book seems to have everything for me, but I’ll see what happens when I actually use it to plot today. Right now, it feels like a WIP saver!
This is now a firm favourite. I’ve gone through it with a highlighter, and I’ve marked a few pages which I know I’ll be coming back to. I admit, I’ve skipped most of the longer examples, but I’ll likely go through them when I’m stuck in my plot and need that extra inspiration.
If you’ve been on the fence about buying this like I was, I’d say go ahead and buy it! Even if you’re a pantser, I think you’ll take something away from this book since she also explains the key elements a successful plot needs – no sitting down to draw up a massive outline required if that’s not your thing. Personally, I’m a plotster and currently eyeing a corkboard on Amazon.
by Bernard Davis
Just finishing ’Save the Cat Writes a Novel ‘ The Last Book on Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need.
I don’t normally do reviews, but this book is certainly worthy of some attention. A couple of years ago I signed up for and started attending a writing course at a local college. What I had hoped to get was some specific instruction on structure, pacing, characterisation and the like. But while the course was pleasant enough, I couldn’t see any of what I really needed and dropped out.
I feel that I should have read this book three years ago. It explains exactly what I, and possibly most other wannabe writers should know and do.
There is a detailed breakdown into fifteen milestones, (she calls them ‘Beats’, I think in reference to the beat in music), each is explained, with reference to well-known books and one is further sub-divided into five mini-beats.
She also lists ten genres which are not the traditional type of genre such as mystery, romance, sci-fi, etc. but which are much more wide-ranging and which make a lot of sense, such as Whydunit, Rites of Passage, Dude with a Problem, etc. Three points are required in each of these genres and each genre is then explored with a specific novel that is exploded using the beats. A ‘Beat-Sheet’ is given so that you can see how other authors, from JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner, have created their masterpieces and match her template.
Jessica Brody, the author, writes in terms that I can understand, with multiple relevant examples, and walks the reader through the whole process of planning and creating a novel.
Highly recommended.
by Caroline
Super helpful book to help with novel writing and structure
by Steve
The book contains a wealth of information on story beats with examples of the beats from a number of popular books.
by JS Adams
Need to write like a pro? Look no further!
by Debbie John
Just started to read this book but overall I am happy with item
by Tribalchick
Save the cat! Writes a Novel’ is the best self help book about writing I’ve ever read. As soon as you begin to read, there’s a feeling of excitement as this tried and trusted recipe for successful novel writing is explained by Jessica Brody. Originally an idea by the late Blake Snyder, a Hollywood screenwriter, Jessica, one of his pupils who had used and succeeded with the original method, has created a concise, straight forward, easy to use guide to creating a great novel.
With very little pre-amble, the book dives straight in, asking you questions about your book idea or the WIP you’ve started (or completed.) One of the beauties of this book is that it suits plotters or pantsers. If you want to organise and plot with precision, you can use this book from the word go, or if, like me, you’d already written the book, but wanted it to be the best it could be (or wanted to see how close to the perfect book you’ve managed to get yourself), then you can use it at this point to.
Having already studied another novel writing book, I managed to get the majority of the points mentioned in the book, but not necessarily in the right order or to the degree I needed to press the points home. With my newly fashioned ‘Beat Sheet’, I’m working my way through my book, crafting and sculpting to make it flow better and keep the reader hooked with every turn of the page.
This book will not write your story for you. You need a good story to start with, but be assured, if you follow this ‘Beat Sheet’, you’ll have the best possible structure for your book.
The book guides the writer through Beat Sheets and Story Genres, and you think ‘Wow, this is so simple when you read it like this.’ While you’re basking in the sunshine of knowing you’re onto a winner, Ms Brody gives you more! ‘Pitch it to me!’ gives you all the info you need to create fabulous, unforgettable loglines and concise, exciting synopses. …And then there’s even more! ‘Save the Author!’ is all of her FAQs, beautifully answered to give you the most detailed yet manageable ‘big picture’ you’ll ever need.