Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need

By: Jessica Brody

Narrated by: Jessica Brody

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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 audiobook lays out the 10 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.

With a PDF that includes charts, lists, and exercises from the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2018 Jessica Brody (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Every novelist should own a copy of this book. It will change the way you think about stories - and your writing. Jessica Brody takes the mystery and frustration out of plotting a novel. I’ll never write another book without a copy of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.” (Kami Garcia, number-one New York Times best-selling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures and author of Broken Beautiful Hearts)

"Good plotters aren't born. They're formed by studying the twists and turns of others' stories. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is a perfect plot study tool for all levels of writer. It will help you dissect any plot conundrum, conceive your story's blueprint, and give a beat to every pivot of your hero's journey." (Grant Faulkner, executive director of National Novel Writing Month and author of Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo)

“Through its insightful use of beat sheets, genres, and trade secrets, this book is an invaluable guide through the daunting task of writing a novel.” (Jessica Khoury, author of The Forbidden Wish and Last of Her Name)

Finally!

Someone finally but together a clear instruction manual with many examples about assembling a novel, step by step.

Makes me wish we could change the narrator voice

The voice was too annoying to get through. Not a strong narrator, to the point it distracted from the content.

Great Structure with Excellent Examples

There are hundreds of books out there about how to structure the perfect story. Some are better than others, and sometimes you just find the one that clicks for you. For me, this was that book!

Jessica Brody's analysis of novel story structure breaks down major points in the novel and shows that whether you're writing a YA fantasy or a slice of life, there is a commonality in those stories that keep us reading way after we should have been asleep. Specific examples are given across multiple genres which helps to cement the ideas presented and show how they are applicable to any writer who wants to convey a compelling and well-paced narrative or add depth to a hero who might feel a little 2D.

The audiobook comes with a 50 page PDF with questions designed to help you implement the Save the Cat! structure, in-depth breakdowns of popular stories like "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Girl on a Train" to illustrate the points, and other great tips on pacing, loglines, and the universal lessons that are the foundations of almost every story.

I did enjoy Jessica Brody's narration of the book, and always think that having the author read it creates a nice connection to the material.

"Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" is definitely well worth a listen.

Spectacular Writing Advice

Want a spreadsheet and guidelines to write your novel? This book will help improve flat characters and sagging middles and much more. What made this book spectacular were the examples and beatsheets from every genre!

Increased Understanding!

What Jessica Brody lays before us as writers is a practical way to look at any book of fiction and find a path for it through all the thickets of our ideas—or the desert when our ideas disappear. I so appreciate her work for us.

Incredibly helpful book and amazing author/narrator

The book is chalked full of incredibly helpful info for writers. It’s also a fascinating look into the power of storytelling and why so many books resonate with so many people. Well-researched and masterfully executed, Jessica Brody does an amazing job.

I’m unstoppable now!!! Thank you J. Brody!!!

This adaptation for novelists from the Save the Cat method is literally the last book I will read on story structure! I am more than impressed and equipped to beat out the best stories lying dormant within my timid soul!!! Thank you Jessica Brody!!!

An Essential Book

Essential for any aspiring fiction writer. If you were lost at sea on your way to a finished novel like me, this book puts everything you could wish to understand on the subject into a coherent framework. If you apply these prescriptions with care, you won't be able to help but craft a compelling story.

The narrator was exceptional as well. Her passion comes across, and her voice should be used to end wars.

voice tone was nice.

Definitely gave me some ideas to keep in mind.
The reader's voice wasnt too monotone either, which made it easier to listen to without losing interest.

Paradigm shifting and paradigm giving

I think this book and King’s “On Writing” are the two best I’ve ever read. They are very different