Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Jessica Brody brings the celebrated Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology firmly into fiction territory with this practical, energetic guide to novel structure. It's the first entry in the beloved series to address novelists directly, and it earns its place on the shelf. At its core, the book walks writers through 15 essential 'beats', the key plot points that underpin any compelling story, running from your opening image all the way through to the finale. Brody also maps out Ten Story Genres, with wonderfully odd-sounding categories like Monster in the House, Whydunit, and Dude with a Problem, giving writers a clear framework for identifying what kind of story they're actually telling. Alongside these structural tools sit some genuinely fresh conceptual ideas, including the titular Save the Cat moment and the intriguing Shard of Glass, which push writers to think about character and motivation in less conventional ways. The tone throughout is warm and accessible without ever feeling patronising. Short, digestible explanations sit alongside broader structural concepts, making it useful whether you're outlining your first novel or untangling a troubled third act. For anyone who has struggled to move beyond instinct and into intentional plotting, this guide offers something genuinely useful: a coherent, repeatable system that has already proved itself in Hollywood.
- Author: Jessica Brody
- Publisher: Ten Speed Press
- Genre: Industry-Specific Business
- ISBN: 978-0399579745
- Pages: 320 pages