Selling Books

Your Guide to Writing, Publishing and Marketing Books and Ebooks

  • Blog
  • Free Newsletter
You are here: Home / Cathy's Blog / Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet

Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet

February 23, 2021 by Cathy Stucker

“Save the Cat!” by Blake Snyder was originally written as a tool for screenwriters. Snyder presents a structure for successful storytelling that has been adapted for use by novelists as well as the original audience. Now his work has been reimagined as a video course.

The idea behind STC is simple: There are elements that are necessary to create an effective story. Snyder lays out these elements as “beats.” Think of it as a blueprint for story. The 15 beats are:

  • Opening Image
  • Theme Stated
  • Set-Up
  • Catalyst
  • Debate
  • Break Into Two
  • B Story
  • Fun and Games
  • Midpoint
  • Bad Guys Close In
  • All is Lost
  • Dark Night of the Soul
  • Break Into Three
  • Finale
  • Final Image

What happens in some of those beats may seem obvious, and you will discover how the STC beats apply to familiar stories. Then, the course walks you through all 15 beats and shows how to use them to structure a story that readers will love. The lessons total more than three hours of video instruction, along with written handouts and worksheets to help you implement the system and build your story. You go step-by-step through creating a solid structure for your novel (or screenplay).

The Save the Cat system is perfect for you if you are planning your next novel, but it can also be used to troubleshoot a story that is already written. You probably know the feeling of completing a novel and knowing that something is missing, even if you can’t quite put your finger on it. With Save the Cat, you can pinpoint the problem spots in your story and polish your novel until it shines!

For more information about the Save the Cat video course, and to view a sample lesson, go to https://www.savethecatcourses.com/courses/cracking-the-beat-sheet

Related Posts :

Save the Cat! Writes for TV
Why Structure Is a Friend, Not a Formula
Save the Cat Story Cards
Stop Procrastinating, Start Writing

Filed Under: Cathy's Blog, Fiction Writing, Writing Tagged With: Save the Cat, STC, writing courses

Comments

  1. Jason Kolinsky says

    February 23, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    What a wonderful synopsis!

  2. Jason Kolinsky says

    March 3, 2021 at 7:08 am

    Thanks so much for the kind and thoughtful review!

Sell More Books!

FREE! Sign up Cathy Stucker's Selling Books newsletter. You will get useful tips and techniques for writing, publishing and selling books, plus member-only exclusives such as free webinars.

BONUS! Get instant access to Cathy's audio program on how to Build an Effective Author Platform!

I respect your privacy & will NEVER sell, rent or share your email address. More than a policy, it's my Privacy Pledge.

Recent Articles

  • Save the Cat! Writes for TV
  • Summarize Your Book and Increase Your Book Sales
  • Why Structure Is a Friend, Not a Formula
  • Save the Cat Story Cards
  • Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet
  • Stop Procrastinating, Start Writing
  • FAQs About Children’s Book Illustrations
  • 5 Posts Every Author Should Write on their Website
  • Reducing Everyday Distractions So You Can Get More Writing Done
  • E.S.Danon – Moon in Bastet

Pages

Contact
Contribute Articles
Contributing Authors
Free Newsletter to Help You Sell More Books
Get Interviewed
Publishing Resources
Subscribe/RSS
Privacy/Disclosure Policies

Categories

Agents Amazon.com Article Marketing Author Interviews Author Platform Blogging Book Business Book Design Book Marketing Book Proposals Book Publicity Book Publishing Book Reviews Book Signings Bookstore Book Titles Book Tours Cathy's Blog Children's Books Content Marketing Copyright Copy Writing Ebooks Editing Fiction Writing Freelance Writing Get Published Ghostwriters Internet Marketing Marketing Fiction Motivation Networking Non-Fiction Writing Oprah Winfrey POD Publishing Public Speaking Research Resources for Writers Running Your Publishing Company Self Publishing Social Media Special Sales Video Marketing Writers Block Writing

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2006 - 2022 Cathy Stucker · All Rights Reserved

Log in to your account