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This blog post features my tried and true 15 steps to writing a book. Also known as the Save the Cat! Beat Sheet. You can use this handy novel-writing template to outline, write, or revise any novel of any genre.
- Opening Image (0% to 1%) – A single scene beat that shows a “before” snapshot of the protagonist and the flawed world that he or she lives in.
- Theme Stated (5%) – A single scene beat in which a statement is made by someone (other than the protagonist) that hints at what the protagonist will learn before the end of the story.
- Setup (1% to 10%) – A multi-scene beat in which the reader gets to see what the protagonist’s life and the world are like–flaws and all. It’s also where important supporting characters and the protagonist’s initial goal (or the thing the protagonist thinks will fix his or her life) is introduced.
- Catalyst (10%) – A single scene beat in which a life-changing event happens to the protagonist and catapults him or her into a new world or a new way of thinking.
The following is a quick overview of the 15 beats of the “Save the Cat Beat Sheet” and where they belong in your manuscript. Act 1: 1. Opening Image (0% to 1%) – A “before” snapshot of your hero and their world. 2. Theme Stated (5%) – A statement made by a character (typically not the hero) that hints at
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Dec 18, 2020 · This free Save the Cat! Novel Calculator estimates where each beat should fall in your manuscript based on the total page or word count.
Apr 14, 2021 · Let’s get into how the Save the Cat beat sheet (from now on STC) is used to build stories that win over readers of all ages and literary tastes. The beat sheet details, one by one, every beat that makes up the STC structure, outlining where and in what order each event should occur.
5 days ago · Big Summer Novel Beat Sheet Analysis. See how Big Summer by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner hits the Save the Cat! story beats. Marilyn Brant, August 29, 2024 0 15 min.
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May 11, 2023 · Updated today, the Beat Sheet Mapper has a stronger visual presence and offers links that define each beat—all with the intent to help you better understand the 15 Save the Cat! story beats as you build a strong foundation for your film or novel.
