📖 Save The Cat! Writes A Novel – Jessica Brody
What This Book Covers
Jessica Brody’s Save The Cat! Writes A Novel adapts Blake Snyder’s famous screenwriting method for novelists, providing a highly structured approach to storytelling that helps writers craft compelling narratives. The book breaks down:
The 15 Story Beats: A step-by-step breakdown of how to structure a novel using key plot moments that keep readers engaged.
Story Genres & Archetypes: Brody identifies 10 universal story types, such as “Whydunit” and “Rites of Passage,” offering examples from popular books.
How to Use the Beat Sheet: A practical tool that helps writers outline their novel using the Save The Cat! method.
Common Mistakes & Fixes: How to spot and resolve weak storytelling elements.
Why I Love It
This book is one of the most accessible and practical guides to novel structure I’ve read. Brody takes the core principles of Save The Cat! and applies them seamlessly to novels, making it an incredibly useful resource for writers of all genres. Here’s why it stands out:
Highly Practical & Easy to Implement: The beat sheet method provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap for novel writing.
Helps Avoid Story Pitfalls: By following the beats, writers can eliminate sagging middles, pacing issues, and weak endings.
Great for Beginners & Experienced Writers Alike: Whether you’re outlining your first book or refining your storytelling skills, this method is universally helpful.
Key Takeaways & What I Learned
Story Structure Is Key to Engagement: Understanding where beats fall in a novel ensures a satisfying narrative arc that keeps readers hooked.
The 10 Story Genres Help Writers Find Their Niche: Brody’s breakdown of story archetypes clarifies what kind of story you’re telling and what expectations come with it.
The Fun & Games Section Is Critical: This part of the book emphasizes the importance of the heart of the story—the moments that deliver on the book’s premise and keep readers invested.
What I Loved About This Book
âś… Straightforward & Actionable: You can immediately apply these techniques to your work-in-progress.
âś… Great Examples from Popular Books: The analysis of well-known novels makes the concepts easy to grasp.
✅ Perfect for Writers Who Struggle with Structure: If you’ve ever felt lost in your novel’s pacing or plot, this book brings clarity and direction.
What Could Be Better
Might Feel Too Formulaic for Some Writers: If you prefer a more organic, discovery-driven writing process, this method may feel a bit restrictive.
Not a Deep Dive into Character Development: While great for plot and pacing, character arcs aren’t the primary focus, so pairing it with Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland may be helpful.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommend
If you’re struggling with structure or want a clear, easy-to-follow roadmap for writing a novel, Save The Cat! Writes A Novel is one of the best plotting guides out there. It’s especially great for writers who thrive with well-defined story beats and a strong framework.
Let’s Chat!
Have you tried the Save The Cat! method for your novel? Do you prefer a structured approach or a more intuitive writing style? Let’s discuss in the comments! And if you enjoyed this review, subscribe to my newsletter for more writing insights and book recommendations!
