Save the Cat! Writes a Novel⁚ Article Plan
This article delves into Jessica Brody’s “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel,” a guide adapting Blake Snyder’s screenwriting methodology for novelists. We’ll explore its structure, focusing on the 15 essential plot points that form the backbone of a compelling narrative.
Jessica Brody’s “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel” bridges the gap between screenwriting and novel writing, adapting Blake Snyder’s popular “Save the Cat!” methodology for novelists. This book offers a structured approach to crafting compelling stories by breaking down the writing process into manageable “beats.” It’s a valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced novelists seeking a framework to plan, write, or revise their work.
Unlike traditional writing guides that focus on prose or character development, “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel” prioritizes plot structure. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating a well-paced narrative with clear turning points and emotional resonance. Brody’s approach involves identifying 15 essential plot points, or “beats,” that serve as guideposts throughout the story. These beats are designed to create a satisfying and engaging reading experience.
Whether you’re a “pantser” or a “planner,” “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel” offers tools and insights to enhance your storytelling abilities. By understanding and applying the Save the Cat structure, writers can gain a deeper understanding of plot, pacing, and character arc.
What is Save the Cat! and its Origin?
“Save the Cat!” is a story structure methodology developed by screenwriter Blake Snyder. Originally designed for crafting screenplays, it has gained popularity among novelists as a tool for planning and structuring their narratives. The core idea behind “Save the Cat!” is that a compelling story can be broken down into a series of essential plot points or “beats” that guide the hero’s journey.
The name “Save the Cat!” comes from Snyder’s principle that the protagonist should do something early in the story to make the audience like them – metaphorically, “save a cat.” This establishes the hero as someone worth rooting for. However, the methodology goes far beyond this initial impression. It provides a framework for understanding and creating stories that resonate with audiences by focusing on key elements like character arc, theme, and pacing.
Snyder’s approach emphasizes the importance of a well-structured plot with clear turning points and emotional stakes. By identifying and utilizing the 15 essential beats, writers can ensure their stories have a strong foundation and a satisfying resolution. “Save the Cat!” offers a practical and accessible way to approach storytelling, regardless of genre or medium.
The 15 Essential Plot Points (Beats)
At the heart of “Save the Cat!” lies its breakdown of a story into 15 essential plot points, or “beats.” These beats act as guideposts, marking key moments in the narrative and driving the story forward. They provide a structured framework for building a compelling and engaging plot. Each beat serves a specific purpose, contributing to the overall arc of the story and the hero’s journey.
These beats are not rigid rules but rather flexible guidelines that can be adapted to various genres and story types. They represent the fundamental building blocks of a successful narrative, ensuring that the story maintains momentum, develops its characters, and explores its themes effectively. Understanding and utilizing these 15 beats allows writers to craft stories with a clear sense of direction and purpose.
From the opening image to the final image, each beat plays a crucial role in shaping the reader’s experience. They create a rhythm and flow, drawing the audience deeper into the story and keeping them invested in the outcome. Mastering these beats is essential for any writer seeking to create a well-paced and emotionally resonant novel.
Act 1⁚ Setting the Stage
Act 1 of “Save the Cat!” focuses on “Setting the Stage,” introducing the protagonist and their world. This act lays the foundation for the entire story, establishing the status quo and hinting at the thematic underpinnings of the narrative. It’s crucial to capture the reader’s attention early on, immersing them in the protagonist’s ordinary life before the inciting incident disrupts their world.
This act typically encompasses the first few beats of the “Save the Cat!” structure, including the Opening Image, Theme Stated, Setup, Catalyst, and Debate. Each of these beats plays a vital role in establishing the context and setting the tone for the story to come. It provides insight into the protagonist’s flaws, desires, and relationships.
By the end of Act 1, the protagonist should be faced with a clear choice or challenge that propels them into the main conflict of the story. This act ensures that the reader is invested in the protagonist’s journey and eager to see what happens next as they leave their comfort zone.
Opening Image
The “Opening Image,” the very first scene or chapter, is critically important in “Save the Cat!”. It’s a snapshot of the protagonist’s world as it currently exists before the story’s events significantly change it. This beat establishes the tone, visual style, and overall feel of the novel. It provides an initial glimpse into the hero’s life, hinting at their inner struggles and desires.
This image should be compelling and engaging, grabbing the reader’s attention from the outset. It presents the status quo and subtly introduces the “before” state that the protagonist will transform from throughout the narrative. The opening image visually represents the protagonist’s starting point before their journey. It’s a promise to the reader of what kind of story they’re about to embark on;
Consider using this image to foreshadow elements that will become important later. It offers an opportunity to set up character traits, and conflicts that will drive the plot forward. The opening image makes the reader care about the story from the first page.
Theme Stated
Around page 5, the “Theme Stated” beat subtly introduces the novel’s central theme, often through a conversation or observation. It’s a crucial point where the underlying message of the story is hinted at, providing a lens through which the reader can interpret the protagonist’s journey. This doesn’t have to be overt; it can be a question posed or a piece of advice given that encapsulates the core idea.
The “Theme Stated” beat serves as a guiding principle, influencing the character’s decisions and highlighting the transformative arc they will undergo. By subtly introducing this theme early on, the author prepares the reader for the deeper meaning behind the plot. It provides a moral compass, setting the stage for exploring complex ideas and challenging the protagonist’s beliefs.
It is a statement about what the story is really about on a deeper level, beyond the surface plot. It offers a framework for understanding the protagonist’s struggles and motivations. The “Theme Stated” enriches the story by adding layers of meaning.
Setup
Spanning from pages 1 to 10, the “Setup” beat meticulously introduces the protagonist, their world, and their flaws. This section lays the groundwork for the entire novel, establishing the status quo that will soon be disrupted. It’s where the reader becomes acquainted with the character’s daily life, their relationships, and the environment they inhabit. Flaws are crucial, as they provide the character room to grow and evolve throughout the story.
The “Setup” beat also showcases what’s missing in the protagonist’s life, hinting at their inner desires and unmet needs. This creates a sense of anticipation and sets the stage for the journey ahead. The reader gains insight into the protagonist’s motivations and what they hope to achieve. The “Setup” is essential for building empathy and investment in the character’s fate.
It is a foundation upon which the entire narrative is built, making it a vital element in the Save the Cat! structure. It is important to establish a clear understanding.
Catalyst
The “Catalyst,” occurring around page 12, is the life-altering event that shatters the protagonist’s status quo and sets the story in motion. This is the moment when their ordinary world is irrevocably disrupted, forcing them to confront a new challenge or opportunity. The catalyst can take many forms, such as a sudden tragedy, an unexpected encounter, or the revelation of a long-held secret.
Regardless of its nature, the catalyst throws the protagonist off balance and compels them to react. It presents them with a clear problem or goal, pushing them out of their comfort zone and into the unknown. The Catalyst creates immediate stakes and introduces the central conflict that will drive the rest of the narrative. It marks the turning point where the protagonist’s journey truly begins, compelling the character to act.
Without a strong catalyst, the story risks feeling stagnant or aimless. In essence, it should force them to do something new.
Debate
Following the Catalyst, the “Debate” section, around page 25, represents the protagonist’s initial reaction to the disruptive event. This isn’t necessarily an internal argument, but rather a period of consideration and hesitation. The protagonist questions whether or not to fully embrace the call to action presented by the Catalyst. They weigh the potential risks and rewards, consider the consequences of leaving their comfort zone, and grapple with their doubts and fears.
The Debate phase often involves seeking advice from mentors or allies, gathering information, and assessing their own capabilities. It’s a time of planning and strategizing, as the protagonist attempts to understand the full scope of the challenge ahead. This beat showcases their initial reluctance and the reasons why they might resist embarking on the journey. It is a part of the story that can be subtle or intense.
Ultimately, the Debate sets the stage for the protagonist’s eventual decision to commit to the adventure, showcasing the important push and pull of the narrative.
Act 2⁚ Rising Action
Act 2, the heart of the novel, commences with the protagonist’s definitive decision to engage with the problem presented in Act 1. This section propels the story forward, escalating the stakes and introducing new obstacles. The protagonist actively pursues their goal, encountering challenges and developing their skills along the way. New characters and subplots are introduced, enriching the narrative and adding layers of complexity.
The Rising Action is characterized by a sense of momentum, as the protagonist faces increasingly difficult situations. This act contains the bulk of the story’s action, suspense, and conflict. It tests the protagonist’s resolve and forces them to adapt to the changing circumstances.
Act 2 provides the space for character development, relationship building, and exploration of the story’s themes, driving toward the Midpoint where the protagonist’s journey takes a crucial turn.
Break into Two
The “Break into Two” beat marks the definitive end of Act One and the beginning of Act Two. It’s the moment where the protagonist consciously decides to leave their ordinary world behind and fully embrace the adventure, challenge, or quest that has been presented to them. This isn’t a passive acceptance; it’s an active choice, a commitment to pursuing a new goal or tackling a problem head-on.
The protagonist crosses a threshold, entering a new and unfamiliar world, whether it’s a physical place, a different state of mind, or a new set of circumstances. This beat signifies a point of no return, as the protagonist can’t simply go back to the life they knew before. It’s a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the rising action and propels the story forward into new and uncharted territory, filled with both opportunities and dangers.
B Story
The “B Story,” often introduced shortly after the “Break into Two,” provides a crucial thematic counterpoint to the main plotline (the “A Story”). It typically involves a relationship, often romantic, that allows the protagonist to explore the story’s central theme on a more personal and intimate level. While the “A Story” focuses on external goals and challenges, the “B Story” delves into the protagonist’s internal growth and emotional development.
This subplot offers a space for the protagonist to learn valuable lessons, confront their flaws, and ultimately evolve into a better version of themselves. The “B Story” relationship serves as a mirror, reflecting the protagonist’s strengths and weaknesses, and forcing them to make difficult choices that impact both their personal life and the main plot. It enriches the narrative by adding depth, emotional resonance, and thematic complexity.
Fun and Games
The “Fun and Games” section, typically occupying a significant portion of Act Two, is where the promise of the premise is fully realized. This is the heart of the story, delivering on the expectations set up in Act One and showcasing the unique elements that make the narrative engaging. It’s a time for the protagonist to explore the new world or situation they’ve entered, often with a sense of excitement and discovery.
However, “Fun and Games” isn’t just about lighthearted entertainment. It’s also about raising the stakes and escalating the conflict. The protagonist may experience initial successes, but these victories are often superficial or misleading. As the “Fun and Games” progress, the challenges become more difficult, and the protagonist begins to realize the true depth of the obstacles they face. This section is crucial for building tension and setting the stage for the midpoint shift.
Midpoint
The Midpoint, occurring roughly at the halfway mark of the story, represents a significant turning point for the protagonist and the narrative. It’s a moment of profound change, shifting the direction of the plot and altering the protagonist’s understanding of their situation. This beat often takes the form of either a false victory or a false defeat, creating a sense of either optimism or despair.
If the Midpoint is a false victory, the protagonist believes they have achieved their goal or overcome a major obstacle, only to discover later that their triumph is short-lived or based on false assumptions. Conversely, a false defeat plunges the protagonist into despair, making them believe that all is lost. Regardless of its specific manifestation, the Midpoint serves as a catalyst for the second half of the story, forcing the protagonist to re-evaluate their strategy and commit to a new course of action. It raises the stakes, deepens the conflict, and propels the narrative toward its climax.
Act 3⁚ Resolution
Act 3 marks the resolution of the central conflict, where the protagonist confronts their ultimate challenge and either succeeds or fails. This act brings the story to its conclusion, tying up loose ends and providing closure for the audience. It begins with the “Break into Three,” a pivotal moment where the protagonist fully commits to resolving the conflict, often with a clear plan of action.
The final act includes beats such as “Finale” where the protagonist faces their antagonist in a climactic showdown, and “Final Image,” which offers a glimpse into the protagonist’s new normal, showcasing how they have changed as a result of their journey. The resolution also addresses the “Theme Stated” earlier in the story, demonstrating how the protagonist has either embraced or rejected the thematic message. Act 3 provides a sense of completion and allows the audience to reflect on the story’s overall meaning and impact.
