Reading Rec: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
Jessica Brody’s take on Save the Cat! for novelists
I had the pleasure of hearing veteran TV show runner Danny Kallis speak to my screenwriting students recently. Danny broke into the biz years ago by writing an episode of Taxi. More recently, he was the co-creator and show runner of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. He’s been around and he knows his stuff. Among the many salient points he made while talking to my students about writing, one stood out to me: “Formula is hack. Form is story, and it is your friend.”
Having taught Intro to Screenwriting for the past 7 or 8 years, this is the guiding principle I cling to, and yet I’ve found that many (most? some?) creative writers resist the idea of embracing structure in their work. Structure is somehow considered a bad word, erroneously linked with writing that is hackneyed, clichéd, derivative, or formulaic. And who wants to write that kind of stuff? (Well, frankly, I would happily and have, because I got paid.) There’s a belief that structure mutes creative expression, that it stifles the creative process. I disagree.
When I argue in favor of structure, I often stumble. How can putting constraints on one’s work increase opportunities for creative expression? Because I trip on my words, let me offer quotes by other artists. Brandford Marsalis said, “There’s only freedom in structure, my man. There’s no freedom in freedom.” Julia Cameron is quoted as saying, “In limits, there is freedom. Creativity thrives within structure.”
For now, let’s take their word for it, that structure is a tool to support creativity, not detract from it. Now what? Now, I finally get around to my reading recommendation: Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is a great guide in how to apply Blake Snyder’s famous screenwriting methodology to novel writing. Synder’s original craft book on screenwriting, Save the Cat!, is most well-known for presenting a screenplay’s 15 story beats. Brody adopts this approach for novel-writing, outlining the 15 story beats to be aware of including in your story. Brody asserts that adopting Snyder’s story beats will “end all your plotting problems.” I agree. Brody also breaks down the essential building blocks writers need to create a well-paced, engaging novel that incorporates both a compelling dramatic arc and an emotionally satisfying character arc. Structure, which is form, not formula, will help drive your narrative and capture your audience. It provides the path for you to tell the best version of your story.
Quick note: I’m teaching a seminar in October about how even CNF writers can use Save the Cat! and other story methods to structure their memoirs. Let me know if you’d be interested in participating!