So, I just finished replotting my WIP using the “Save the Cat!” method! Originally written for screenplays by Blake Snyder, it was adapted for novel writers by the wonderful Jessica Brody!
While I 100% recommend getting the whole book (it talks about characters, the 15 STC beats, genre conventions, and sample beat sheets for popular/famous novels!), here’s my little rundown of the beat sheet for those who can’t afford the full book right now!
What does it do? Provides a quick “before” snapshot of your hero and their world. Sets the tone, style, and mood as well as introduces the main hero of your story!
Where does it go? 1%; the first scene or chapter of your novel.
Remember: Show, don’t tell! Highlight your character’s flaws.
What does it do? Briefly alludes to the transformative journey that your hero will take and the flaw/flaws they will eventually conquer. A tiny bit of foreshadowing.
Where does it go? Within the first 10% of your novel
Remember: What does the hero need to learn throughout the story? Where are they now, and where do they end up? Also: subtlety!
What does it do? Sets up your hero’s life and their status quo world before everything changes.
Where does it go? 1% to 10%
Remember: This is your hero’s normal life. This beat will also take up multiple scenes/chapters. The point of the setup is to make the reader understand why the hero needs to go through the transformation, why the story needs to be told!
What does it do? Disrupts the status quo world with a life-changing event.
Where does it go? 10% (or earlier).
Remember: This is the single-scene beat that disrupts your character’s whole world. It is what starts them on their transformation! Remember to keep the stakes high. Essentially, it’s a wake-up call, or a call to action.
What does it do? Shows how resistant your hero is to change and/or prepares your hero for the break into Act 2.
Where does it go? 10% to 20%.
Remember: This is a reaction beat. It usually comes in the form of a question: What should I do? Should I go? How will I survive? What happens next? The hero has to decide how to proceed: and their decision must bring them into Act 2.
What does it do? Brings the hero into the upside-down world of Act 2, where they will fix things the wrong way (i.e. doing what they think they need to do, but not realizing what they really need to do).
Where does it go? 20%; there must be a clear act break before 25%!
Remember: The hero knows what they need to do; this is when they do it. The transition between Act 1 and Act 2 should be obvious, as Act 2 is the OPPOSITE of Act 1. The hero has to try something new.
What does it do? Introduces the character who will somehow represent the B Story/theme and help your hero learn it.
Where does it go? 22% (Usually happens right after the Break Into 2, but can come earlier, as long as it’s within the first 25% of the novel!)
Remember: The B Story character is a helper character, and is usually a love interest, new friend, mentor, or nemesis. A successful B Story character must a) represent the upside-down Act 2 world, and b) help guide the hero toward their life lesson/theme.
What does it do? Delivers on the promise of the premise of the novel and shows us how your hero is faring in the new Act 2 world (either having fun or floundering).
Where does it go? 20% to 50% (Multi-scene beat spanning half of Act 2)
Remember: Fun and Games is the bit people read about in the summary—Harry going to Hogwarts and learning magic! Katniss entering the Hunger Games! etc. Called Fun and Games because it’s fun for the reader, not necessarily the characters. Your hero will either shine or suck. Works best if the character has a series of wins and losses.
What does it do? Marks the middle of the novel with either a false defeat or a false victory, while at the same time raising the stakes of the story.
Remember: This is the pivot point in the story. It’s a single scene beat where the hero experiences a false victory (they think they win, but there’s more story to go!) or a false defeat (they think it’s the end, but there’s more story to go!) There is also a shift from wants to needs.
What does it do? Provides a place for your hero to rebound after a false defeat MP or fall down after a false victory MP, all while the internal bad guys (flaws) are closing in.
Where does it go? 50% to 75%
Remember: This is a multi-scene beat. The bad guys can be literal villains, or your character’s flaws. If your MP was a false victory, then things are going to get progressively worse. If your MP was a false defeat, life will get better. REMEMBER THE FLAWS!
What does it do? Illustrates your hero’s rock bottom of the story.
Remember: This is the worst your character has been yet—worse than at the start of the book. This struggle will illuminate the path they really need to take. Something must end here. You can think of it as another catalyst.
12. DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
What does it do? Shows how your hero reacts to the All Is Lost and how they eventually break through to a resolution.
Where does it go? 75% to 80%
Remember: If All Is Lost is another catalyst, this is another debate. The hero ponders, contemplates, and wallows. The final clue of what the hero needs to do falls into place.
What does it do? Brings the hero into the synthesis world of Act 3, where they will finally fix things the right way.
Remember: This is literally a breakthrough. They know how to fix the problem, and fix themselves. They realize they were the ones who had to change, but had it in them all along.
What does it do? Resolves all the problems created in Act 2 and proves that your hero has learned the theme and has been transformed.
Where does it go? 80% to 99%
Remember: Your hero will 1. gather the team/supplies, 2. execute their plan, 3. experience a twist while executing their plan, 4. dig deep down and use the most important weapon they have: the theme that they’ve learned, and 5. execute their new plan with their knew knowledge.
What does it do? Provides an “after” snapshot of your hero and your hero’s life to show how much they’ve changed.
Where does it go? 99% to 100% (the last scene or chapter)
Remember: Show us what the hero looks like after this epic transformative journey! Readers should be able to very clearly identify how this story has changed the hero for the better. Must be starkly different from the Opening Image.
So, there you go! Every beat from “Save the Cat!” paraphrased and consolidated for your use! Hopefully, you can take a look at your WIP as it is and apply some (or all!) of these beats to it! Do they have to all go in order, and with the percentages and everything happening? Absolutely not! It’s meant as a guide. It definitely helped me push through some of the writer’s block I’ve had recently!
I hope you enjoy! Feel free to send me any questions! I tried to keep it brief so as to not give away the entire book and all of Brody’s hard work, but I understand that means some things might seem a bit out-of-context. Let me know!
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