Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

Yes...It IS the LAST Book on Novel Writing...

Yes...this IS the LAST book on novel writing you'll ever need. And it should be the FIRST if you're just getting into novel writing.

I've been writing for over 20 years and this book takes the guess work out of how to write a GOOD or even SPECTACULAR novel. As an editor, I've encountered hundreds of horrible stories that had a ton of potential. If I had this book when I was an editor, I would have recommended it to every single one of my writers. It not only helps you craft a great story, but it helps you tighten up one you have already written.

I was a bit put off at first that the author was narrating the novel (because that doesn't go well more often than not), but I'm too busy NOT to have bought the audiobook. I just don't have the time to sit down and focus in the middle of a remodel and I've already read the Save the Cat! books for screenplays. I knew this would be good. My attitude was that I would grin and bear it and glean the information. Jessica Brody did a surprisingly good job and the production quality was superb! No clicks, inappropriate breaths or technical issues.

This has already helped me figure out what's wrong with my current WIP (work in progress) and why my other novels aren't as good as they can be. I'll be recommending this to all my author friends and I won't plot another book without it!

15 sur 17 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Excellent work!

I preordered the book, but was pleasantly surprised to see the audible version was released the same day. I just couldn't stop listening. I've been a fan of save the cat, and this book, in my opinion is the "missing link" that unites the other books, for a deeper and yet simple understanding of the Blake Snyder beat sheet method. Good job!

3 sur 3 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Tip for finding the PDF!!!

I called customer service looking for the promised PDF. Turns out the file isn’t viewable via the Audible app. You have to log onto the actual Audible website for the “view PDF” link to appear in your library.

6 sur 7 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

loved it

I have been waiting for a long time for cave the cat to come out in a book just for novels and it didn't disappoint

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

More a compliation of book reviws

After reading online reviews touting the greatness of the instruction found in this book like "The last book on writing novel you'll ever need" and "If only I'd found this book years ago" one could be forgiven for expecting the seas to part and the mists retreat as you are treated to a treasure trove of knowledge that will transform your writing forever.

Sadly this was NOT the case for me. In truth it was quite the opposite. Through a brief introduction in the first chapter Brody describes what she calls the 15 "beats" found in every story. This basically covers common plot points and story archs popularly found in various genres. If you've read other books on writing, you will have seen much of the same type of information presented. just in a more concise manner.

Most of this book reads like a long compilation of novel reviews, with brief references to a "beat" that is approaching or passed by. (Along with page numbers of said book. So that you could read Harry Potter and scan through pages 553-601* to see the "break into 3" happen for yourself.

The PDF that comes with the book on audible is useful once you have learned the slang and terminology she uses when describing plot/arch points of various story genres. This certainly is helpful in allowing you to more go back and look at examples without listening to lengthy novel reviews repeatedly.

Yet listening to long reviews and descriptions of books is exactly what you hear in this book with comments on "beats" peppered in. Some of the beats seem shoehorned in and out of place as if inserted later purely to imply a universal application of the method. Considering that the entire book is based on a method originally designed for television & movie screenwriters, it makes sense that some of her technique translates better then others.

The gut of the book revolves around tying plot and characters into the cat method. If your looking for a how to on great characters, or plot I have seen it done better elsewhere. Likewise if you want a jack of all trades book that covers gambit of useful novelist techniques it too as been done better elsewhere.

That is not to say this book is empty. Once I had mined and bookmarked the tiny nuggets of information and downloaded the PDF there were some interesting patterns that appeared to take shape. Were they coincidences or a true recipe to a masterful novel? I leave that to you, but allow me to end with this:

As I listened I could not escape the thought returning that I was reading a lot of fluff to inflate page count in a book that could convey the information and plenty of good examples of their use in FAR fewer pages.


*The pages and location cited were made up as an example, please don't go looking there. (I don't even think there are that many pages in the book tbh. :)

2 sur 3 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Finished it and immediately restarted.

Jessica has a great wealth of knowledge for you here, and delivers it very well. Extremely glad I finally bought this...wish I hadn't waited.

Reading Save the Cat Over and Over.

I'm writing a memoir and shaping the narrative with this novel writing structure. I am studying (writing out each beat) nodding as I read (listen) with realization after realization ah-ha-ing me through creating my own beat sheet. This book is the substitute MFA I won't go into debt for.

Also, the narration is excellent, an easy listen, even energizing. I'm listening, taking notes and mapping out movies and novels. I'm making a storyboard, like the author describes at the end of the book. I'm also reviewing each beat, before sitting down to brainstorm and free write. Writing is hard, but Save the Cat Writes a Novel is a map AND a tour guide!

Thank you Jessica Brody! - Kathryn

A book that can’t be beat!

Phenomenal instructional book. You truly will not need another about how to write a novel.
The overall four star rating is not a reflection of the book or the author, but rather of audible because I did not receive the bonus PDF; or at the very least could not find it. When you buy the book, check for the PDF. If you don’t receive it, be sure to contact audible before you start the book. Now, I’m off for a re-read and a hunt for the PDF!

A wonderfully fun roadmap.

One of the first steps to actually writing your novel is to break down the daunting task into manageable parts. Only then are you able to write with some idea of where you are going. This is the most user friendly roadmap I’ve encountered yet.

Love the PDF

I have listened to a few books on writing, They all say there are charts on this web sit or, This link that no longer have the info or, are not easy to find. But, this book Has a bonce PDF file attracted on Audible so know hunting. it is right there by the download button. Wish the other writers would do this.