I received a free copy of this book and software in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In a first here on my site, I have the unique opportunity to share my review of not only a book on writing that is considered to be a must-read for many aspiring writers and screenwriters, but to test out the amazing writing software that many use in their modern projects. Here are my thoughts on Save the Cat! Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody.
The Synopsis
SAVE THE CAT!® by Blake Snyder is a popular screenwriting book series and storytelling methodology used by screenwriters, directors, and studio execs across Hollywood. Now, for the first time ever, bestselling author and writing teacher, Jessica Brody, takes the beloved Save the Cat! plotting principals and applies them to the craft of novel writing in this exciting new “workshop style” guide, featuring over 20 full beat sheets from popular novels throughout time.
Whether you’re writing your first novel or your seventeenth, Save the Cat! breaks down plot in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step method so you can write stories that resonate! This book can help you with any of the following:
Outlining a new novel
Revising an existing novel
Breaking out of the dreaded “writer’s block”
Fixing a “broken” novel
Reviewing a completed novel
Fleshing out/test driving a new idea to see if it “has legs”
Implementing feedback from agents and/or editors
Helping give constructive feedback to other writers
But above all else, SAVE THE CAT! WRITES A NOVEL will help you better understand the fundamentals and mechanics of plot, character transformation, and what makes a story work!
The Review
What really spoke to me about the book was as a novelist it was great to see how the process of storytelling from a more modern lens looked and felt. Applying the pattern that was discovered and applied to successful novels and screenplays to our own works was unique, and showcased the things that worked and the things that didn’t.
On top of that, the author takes readers through the important steps of developing and nurturing a story, from identifying the “hero” of the story to the genres being explored, the pitch that you’ll want to sell the story to readers, and the beats that can be touched upon throughout the narrative. The novel is thorough, detailed, and does an amazing job of not necessarily declaring one writing style over another to be “superior”, but instead guiding the writer in the process of discovering their own voice while still following a pattern of success.
As for the software itself, the ability to utilize the program for screenplays, television shows, and novels was a treat, and could even divide the novel into larger series overall. I decided to utilize my novel “The Legend of Electric Fusion”, a book I wrote years ago I am in the process of rewriting and utilized it for this software.
The technology allowed me to start breaking down my characters more fully. Not only getting into more detailed descriptions of the characters, but their overall motivations and goals moving forward. This helped me to see a more clear path for the narrative to take moving forward. It is a truly organized, structured, and detailed path for those who follow the plotter style of writing than anything else.
The Verdict
A must-read book and fantastic software that writers and readers alike will fall in love with. Motivating and inspiring, the book helps foster creativity and bring stories more fully to life than ever before. It is a great step in helping to hone the writer’s craft and give readers a chance to see into the complex process of developing an engaging novel. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About Save the Cat!®
Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.
Find out more about Save the Cat! by visiting their webpage at www.savethecat.com.
About the Save the Cat Structure Software
Save the Cat! Story Structure Software is adapted from the Save the Cat! methodology to help screenwriters and novelists unlock the fundamentals of plot and character transformation. The Story Structure Software is a virtual writer board with digital index cards to help map out your story against the 15 beats or plot points to your story. The software enables writers to track emotional shifts of characters from scene to scene, develop profiles and edit and version your story with ease.
You can purchase a subscription to the Save the Cat! Structure Software at Save the Cat’s website.
About Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
An Amazon #1 best seller with over 500 reviews, it’s the first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.
In this revolutionary novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! series, novelist Jessica Brody demystifies each beat, making it simple to learn the complexities of storytelling. The best-seller also reveals the ten universal story genres to help you drill down into what makes your type of story work. Featuring sample “beat sheets” for hits from the likes of J. K. Rowling, Khaled Hosseini, and Stephen King, this practical guide also includes real-world advice on pitching your novel, plus the quirky, original insights (like the eponymous tip to “Save the Cat”) that make this series unique. By the end of this book, your own imaginative beats will combine to create a story that thrills readers from start to finish.
Print Length: 320 Pages
Genre: Writing References
Publisher: Ten Speed Press/Random House Publishing LLC
ASIN: B078VWDNKT
ISBN-10: 0399579745
ISBN-13:978-0399579745
Save the Cat! Writes the Novel is available as a print and e-book at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
About the Author, Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody worked for MGM Studios as manager of acquisitions and business development before becoming an internationally best-selling author of more than fifteen novels for adults and teens including The Geography of Lost Things, The Chaos of Standing Still, A Week of Mondays, and Better You Than Me. She travels the country teaching Save the Cat! workshops to novelists.
Blog Tour Dates
April 27th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Visit the Muffin today and you can read an interview with the Save the Cat team as well as enter to win a copy of the book Save the Cat! Writes the Novel and a one-year subscription to their software Save the Cat! Structure Software.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
April 28th @ Pro Writing Aid
Make sure you visit Michelle’s post over at Pro Writing Aid and read her review of the save the Cat Structure Sofware.
https://prowritingaid.com/en/Blog/Author/183/Michelle-Cornish
April 29th @ Karen Brown Tyson
Make sure you visit Karen Brown Tyson’s blog today and read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/
April 30th @ Karen Brown Tyson
Visit Karen’s blog again and you can read a guest post about the impact of Save the Cat! on creative culture.
https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/
May 1st @ Sunflowers & Bluebirds
Visit Jess’ blog today and you can read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
https://sunflowerstobluebirds.wordpress.com/
May 2nd @ Jessica Samuel’s Blog
Make sure you visit Jessica’s blog today and you can read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel and her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
https://jessicasamuelsauthor.com/
May 3rd @ Help me Naomi
Visit Naomi’s blog today and you can read her review of Save the Cat! Structure Software. Just in time for CampNaNoWriMo!
May 4th @ Her First Mile
Visit Alyshia’s blog today and make sure you read her review of Save the Cat! Structure Software.
May 5th @ Halfway to It
Visit Jeanna’s blog (and Instagram!) today and read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
https://www.halfwaytoitblog.com/
https://www.instagram.com/halfwaytoitblog/
May 6th @ Editor 911
Make sure you visit Margo’s blog today and read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
May 7th @ Brooke’s Reviews and Sweeps
Visit Brooke’s site today and make sure you read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
http://www.brookereviewsnsweeps.com/
May 7th @ Sandy Kirby Quandt
Stop by Sandy’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
May 8th @ Quill and Books
Stop by Katheryn’s blog and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
May 9th @ Choices Blog
Visit Madeline’s blog today and you can read a fantastic Save the Cat! guest post about how to choose the best idea to write.
May 10th @ Margay Leah Justice Blog
Visit Margay’s blog and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software and Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
http://margayleahjustice.blogspot.com/
May 11th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Make sure you stop by Beverley’s blog and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
May 12th @ Reading Whale
Visit Caitlin’s blog and read her review of the Save the Cat! Writes the Novel and of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
May 13th @ Mint Miller Writes
Visit Mint Miller’s blog today and you can read a review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
May 14th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog today and you can read his review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
May 15th @ Chapters Through Life
Visit Danielle’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat Structure Software.
http://chaptersthroughlife.blogspot.com/
May 16th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and make sure you stop by Lacey’s blog today and read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
http://www.coffeewithlacey.com
May 17th @ Leslie L. McKee’s blog
Visit Leslie’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software and the Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
https://leslielmckee.com/blog/
May 18th @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog today and you can read her review of Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/
May 19th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Beverley’s blog again and you can read a guest post about how software can help organize and plot your story.
http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com
May 20th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog and you can read his review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
May 21st @ L. M. Harley’s Blog
Visit Laura’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
http://lmharleywriter.com/blog.html
May 22nd @ Fiona Ingram’s Blog
Visit Fiona’s blog today and you can read her insights into the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
May 23rd @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
May 24th @ Tyrean Martinson’s Blog
Visit Tyrean’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
https://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/
May 25th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog and you can read his interview with the Save the Cat! team.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
May 27th @ Amanda Zieba’s Blog
Visit Amanda’s blog today and you can read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
May 28th @ It’s Alanna Jean
Visit Alanna’s blog today and you can read a guest post by the Save the Cat team about writing genres vs. audience genres. Don’t miss it!
May 28th @ Shayla Raquel
Make sure you stop by Shayla’s blog and read her review of the book Save the Cat! Writes the Novel.
May 29th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Mason’s blog and read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.
http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
May 30th @ Make Me a Success
Make sure you stop by Kirsten’s blog and read her review of the Save the Cat! Structure Software.