Writing A Novel With Save The Cat (Complete Guide)

I break down Save The Cat Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody, and explain how you can use it to write your next novel. If you are outlining a story or writing one, this could be the video you need to spark inspiration.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Creating A Character With Save The Cat
2:49 Save The Cat Writes A Novel Beat Sheet
17:58 Brief Summary of Story Genres
18:22 Outro

[@ervinoribiana4059]

Oh my god I went into this video without any idea how to execute my plot and now it feels as if I've had a huge epiphany holy hell man thank you for this

[@nathanielbarber6180]

This video was heart breaking to watch. I recently finished the third draft of my first novel. And I did everything in this outline without knowing. I’m incredibly proud of my book and hearing that I hit those beats made me really feel like I actually did a good job so thank you.

[@TheZetaKai]

You tapped into the collective unconscious of the gestalt Human overmind, the grand unity of the All... or distilled a lifetime of cultural storytelling into a single pastiche. Why not both?

[@georginadrake4050]

Why do you feel heartbroken over it? I did the same thing but would describe this proud feeling as heartwarming if anything! I definitely do not feel sad or as if my heart was torn in two, so I’m intrigued to know why you’d use the word heartbreaking for this feeling, as a writer ✍🏽

[@BudsCartoon]

ouch, cringe

[@poms_beats]

@@georginadrake4050yeah, I was confused by that description as well, i thought it'd be something like "elated". curious to know the answer to this as well

[@CoolOkay_]

But why is it "heart breaking"? Is it because you wanted more growth? Something extra to add?

[@roberttuttle3029]

Easily the most clear and comprehensive breakdown of this method I've come across on YT (and there are LOTS).

[@douglaspurcell7506]

Yeah dude you have no idea how much this helped me. i had an inkling of an idea for my visual novel and after the first viewing of this i can now see the whole narrative in my head. your'e a lifesaver

[@amouramarie]

This is a FANTASTIC explanation of Save the Cat. I was already a big fan of the method, but this actually gave me some new impressions of it as it applies to my own story. Thanks!

[@malakialighieri]

i’ve been using the simple three act structure to write my novel for almost 2 years, constantly running into problems with trying to make everything fit and makes sense with the beats. only heard about save the cat today and it’s been a lifesaver. very thankful for this video, it explains it very well

[@user-ds2bp8th7o]

I have a huge desire to write, but i honestly didn`t have any idea where to start and this gave me so much ideas and motivation, thank you!

[@OrdinarySpeaker]

Brilliant video, it felt like you unlocked quite a few new avenues in my writing brain, codifying so much stuff that I was partially aware off but would never have been able to put into words. Impressive how you summarized the book so concicely and in such an easy to understand way!

[@ViewsSurge]

God! This video is such good quality! So happy I found it

[@nissad1252]

You know I got to say these videos a cut above the rest of the "person facing camera talking about writing" genre of youtube. Keep it up!

[@ameliadavidson360]

Hey! Just stumbled onto your channel, because I've been having some outlining/plotting issues with my story, and this was actually helpful! Thank you!

[@mariathaisnavarro7518]

thank you for the video! very direct and with clear explanation of the points!

[@henrikbaum]

I think this is more of a tool to use, when youre not sure if your story structure makes sense. I have several of these points in my story, but not all of them and thats completely fine. This video just showed me that Im going to the right direction with what Im writing, but I would never use the concept to build a whole book around it. I think that the best stories follow a certain familiar structure but change things up in ways you dont expect.

[@bonafide4874]

Really liked this video! Took notes the whole way through! I would def watch more videos of you explaining save the cat but in the different genres!

[@DevilBoyAnimation]

Very practical and well defined summary...! Loved it.

[@wahtusy3519]

This book is great guide for outlining.. but I also would like to recommend Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash.. these two books for me are great help for me to form a more structured narrative..

[@YarnRay]

I haven't read Blueprint for a Book-I'll have to check it out, thanks for the recommendation!

[@MateuszFicek2137]

My first Yarn's vid, and im clicking that sub button. Very good quality and content, keep it up.

[@heartbeatbeat6071]

Thaks for this videos! They help me a lot with my novels!

[@YarnRay]

You're welcome! So happy to hear my videos have been helpful!

[@eimearlawlor4338]

Fantastic explanation. I just got my edits from my publisher, and I need to up the stakes.

[@JasmynMorning]

Thank you. This was so helpful :)

[@SkippyTheMagnificent]

Great breakdown and neat palindrome name

[@zahuruddinsheikh2814]

Have subscribed your channel. This was very helpful!

[@castleroque3218]

Nice work! Thanks man

[@YarnRay]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@dlarri]

great video!! thank you :D!

[@ettorecerchi6671]

Hey man, I recently saw all your videos and noticed you stopped doing it. You had tremendous potential, sometimes the algorithm doesnt work and favours, but if you try to diversify your options you really could blow up. Great work, wish u the best

[@iliasseferiadis6204]

Your videos are so helpful! I am a huge fan man good luck with youtube!

[@YarnRay]

Thank you, so glad to hear my video was helpful-more videos on the way!

[@mikelozz1]

Great video!

[@YarnRay]

Thank you!!

[@wisdomwielder]

The fact that I've done almost all of this unconsciously probably means I've consumed too much media >_>

[@davedsilva]

Well done

[@olivervolante4640]

Legend cuz ❤

[@ComicPower]

This is an awesome book

[@kitsunesanchez6720]

Youre underrated af

[@carterswafford2222]

man just showed up; he isn't even rated yet

[@bradfordwilson4742]

I read this book last summer. I'm now at the midpoint section in my novel. A great guide to perfecting your story telling skills and getting your plot moving along.

[@littletodger7008]

Dark soul of the Night?

[@kelvinsudirman4072]

You keep crediting Brody for the beats, but the original author of Save the Cat and those beat sheet is Blake Snyder and it's originally for screenwriting. Brody only applies the theories into novel writing instead.

[@alicethedaughterofathena]

This was so helpful and i loved how you explained everything. But does anyone know how you should aplly this with a 2 person POV? (sorry if i said anything wrong english isn´t my first language)

[@austin_penn]

What do you think this method would look like combined with Brando Sando's? Would they clash or work together? Thanks for this!

[@YarnRay]

Great question! I haven't dove into this combination too much, so I may be off here, but I think they could be used together to an extent. If I'm remembering correctly, Sanderson has said that while he doesn't use outlining techniques such as Hero's Journey or Save the Cat in the initial phases of his projects, he does find them useful as a diagnostic tool later. So, he might use his own outlining technique initially, then as he writes the story if he realizes something is missing, he'll go through the Save the Cat (or other similar strategies) beat sheet to identify which key plot moments need more work.

[@austin_penn]

@@YarnRay Wow thats interesting. I'm plotting a novel right now and I dont really want to use Save the Cat or Heroe's Journey because I find them predictable at times, but the structure is so evergreen that its hard to abandon them. I will definitely be trying to incorporate Sandersons and Save the Cat in my process now! Thanks for your help!

[@TheDuckHasArrived]

Two things. Firstly, thank You for this video. Even though I think story should be created / conceived without the overshadowing structure, as it hinders the creative process, it is good of course to be aware of it, but as a point of reference - not prescription for storytelling (IMO anyway). Secondly, what in the world is going on with that plant on your right / my left???

[@now_comments]

なう(2022/10/07 21:13:41)

[@Emmet-wb8cc]

Is it just for movies or can it be used to help write scripts for tv shows?

[@wannabeall]

You can use it for practically anything, it's a guide to build tension and pace. Think of a movie you like or a series, and try to compare this beat sheet with how the story in the show is crafted

[@CoolOkay_]

It's applicable.

[@joshuashepard583]

“.. And I, have read that book.” Hahaha.

[@jlmww]

"Ups and Downs" would be a better name for the Beat 8 than "Fun and Games." And did you pick the name "Yarn Ray" because it's a palindrome?

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Hey bro Ray, I see. I don’t think anybody should write anything fictional by consulting a guide or having a set of rules. But that’s like…my opinion Man!

[@carterswafford2222]

plant

[@lottoguy6457]

My problem with the book is I hate or haven’t read the novels she uses as an example. Hunger games is a painful read for me. I rather be unpublished then write a block buster crap novel like hunger games.

[@shrekistlieben]

Honestly all this formulaic crap “inner conflict and mistaken assumption” doesn’t matter if there are catfights

[@billieblake6227]

She didn't originate this!!! Save the Cat, by Blake Snyder wrote the first book and and Save the Cat Fights Back! Then he passed away. This is absolute swiping! "Shard of glass" and Beat Sheets are not her original ideas.

[@amouramarie]

It's not "swiping." If you go to the actual, *official* Save the Cat website, her books are there, right alongside Blake Snyder's originals. _No one_ ever said she invented Save the Cat - she credits Blake Snyder with the original herself.

[@LovelifeProject]

hmmm. i didn't get anything new... its as if you only read and recited what you read... i thought this video is like tyler mowry's where there are insights from him. apologies if this offended you, but I wasted my time.

[@SMacCuUladh]

learn how to write a novel from a guy just out of diapers, no thanks.

[@CoolOkay_]

He's just summarizing something that was sourced from a book. Second, this is an insecure thing to say, inevitably, there will always be someone younger and also more knowledgeable, everyone knows something someone else doesn't.

[@SMacCuUladh]

@@CoolOkay_ insecure? lol

[@amouramarie]

@@SMacCuUladh Yes, very insecure. If you refuse to allow that someone younger than you could know something you don't, it's not only insecure, but illogical. There are millions of people younger than you who know all sorts of things you don't. If you refuse to learn from them, you're cutting yourself off from sources of knowledge for no reason other than shallow bias, and that's very much your loss.

[@blackjew6827]

How to write a soulless novel.

[@josephcusumano2885]

Explain please.

[@blackjew6827]

@@josephcusumano2885 The ideas in "Save The Cat" are not wrong to say, but many people use them like robots. 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 you never fell like any of the characters are real, let alone the world. mind you, even if your novel is soulless and ever one in it feel like a automaton, it can still sell well if it comes out at the write time. A friend of my written a novel for kids, the main protagonist was male. every publisher told him the same thing "we like the story, but looking for female protagonist" so he changed it to a female one, and got published. my point is this: Don't write what you love, write but the publisher wants. that is, if you write for money.