Jessica Brody

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.

The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

This book is so great at deconstructing the puzzle of a story. For example, here — I love haunted house stories as a reader, but understanding the necessity of the “sin” plot element really makes the craft accessible.

Love this resource; I’ll be studying novels differently from now on with this book in mind. 

Caroline Clutterbuck Kapulkin

[On writing “Monster In The House” stories.] The sin is really what makes this genre work. It's what makes these stories resonate with readers. Because the sin almost always ties into the deeper theme, that universal lesson that we can all relate to.

… Even if it’s not the hero of themselves who is responsible, someone, somewhere along the way, decided to open Pandora’s box and peek inside, and THIS story is the result.

Selected prompts for Brody’s “Five Foundation Beats” that I found particularly helpful!

I’m a sucker for all the helpful lists in this book. 😂

• How would my flawed hero change the WRONG way, based on what they want, not what they need? This continues to shape my Break Into 2 beat.

• Does my hero generally flounder or excel in this new world? Ths determines the Midpoint and whether it's a false victory (the hero excels in the new world) or a false defeat (the hero flounders in the new world).

• How does my hero, then, change the right way, based on what they need? This helps me start to discern my Break Into 3.

• Finally, what kind of rock-bottom life-changing event would be enough to eventually convince my hero to change the right way? This informs my All Is Lost beat — which you may recall is usually another Catalyst.

Don’t mind me, just gonna highlight all the encouraging plotting block tips at the end here 😂 

And when you get lost, remember to come back to your wants and needs. They are your sign posts on this journey. As you drive toward the Midpoint, keep your sights on what your hero wants. And then, as you drive toward the Final Image, keep your sights on what the hero needs. These two things will help guide you through the dark spots on the road.

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.

The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need

Erin Darlyn

The premise of this book has merit, and there is some useful information in it, but it is also based on a borrowed premise and, as such, there was not much in it that I had not heard elsewhere. 

There are *hundreds* of spoilers in this book. If you have an extensive or diverse TBR, you may find yourself needing to skip paragraphs or even multiple pages of content to avoid spoiling a story you want to read. This might make it less than useful for some readers. Additionally, while the author’s analyses are insightful, they are also sometimes “fluffy,” and the book does contain some editing errors / typos. 

I think this book best serves as a beginner’s introduction to storytelling. It’s limited in scope but does give the reader a jumping off point.

An informative, simple, and upbeat guide on writing and how to deconstruct a story idea into pieces — then build it up again!

I found this book wildly helpful, particularly because it reshaped the way I look at novels. That perspective alone is invaluable, and I look forward to rereading my favorite novels with that curious & critical eye.

Reading this book helped me connect a lot of dots in my own stories, even when I was just reading to learn and not writing along with the exercises. I think this book has something for any kind of writer — pantsers will find the tips inspiring, and planners will find the thorough structure guide helpful.

Some segments felt a little repetitive, but ultimately I think the repetition and extremely thorough outlines helped drive the point home.

An informative, simple, and upbeat guide on writing and how to deconstruct a story idea into pieces — then build it up again!

I found this book wildly helpful, particularly because it reshaped the way I look at novels. That perspective alone is invaluable, and I look forward to rereading my favorite novels with that curious & critical eye.

Reading this book helped me connect a lot of dots in my own stories, even when I was just reading to learn and not writing along with the exercises. I think this book has something for any kind of writer — pantsers will find the tips inspiring, and planners will find the thorough structure guide helpful.

Some segments felt a little repetitive, but ultimately I think the repetition and extremely thorough outlines helped drive the point home.

Sophia De La Garza

I liked this approach to novel writing and will be trying out the outlining method suggested in this.

Moon of Pages

As an unexperienced writer, I learned a lot of new things about story structure and tips for writing in general.

Lea de Sousa

5 ⭐

This book is God for new writers. If I could give it 10 stars I would. The writing process for people who have no formal education in creative writing (or anything remotely related) is daunting and scary. This book is like the guardian angel that will hold your hand through those dark moments. 

I'm marking it as 'read' when in truth I will probably be referencing this book until I die.

Briana Pruscino

absolutely brilliant. wish i had found this years ago!!

Rebecca Light

I think this book is a game changer for me. It's exactly what I've been looking for to give my otherwise intuitive, pantser-style writing some structure.

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need