Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
The key is all in the pacing. A well-paced novel with visual elements, compelling character growth, and an airtight structure can step into the ring with any blockbuster film—and win.
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
And speaking of your hero getting what they want: Why haven’t they?
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Writing about a hero who transforms—who comes out of the story a different person than who they started as—is the secret sauce of best-selling novels.
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
The word “plot” on its own is pretty useless. It’s just a series of events that happen in a story. But structure is the order in which those events happen and, maybe even more importantly, the timing of when they happen. Then you add in a character who needs to change and does change by the end, and presto! You’ve got a story worth telling.
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
When someone starts reading your novel, they should be thinking something along the lines of, Whoa, what a mess this person’s life is!
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
There’s something buried deep within our DNA as humans that makes us respond to certain storytelling elements told in a certain order.
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Your hero’s want or goal is an integral part of what’s called the A Story.
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
He is the character who will get the most out of this particular story line.
Jessica Brody • Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
you’ve got a hero who’s just putzing around, waiting for something to happen. (Very boring plot.)