Why are we saving the Cat?
Save the Cat, Already!
A short review of the Save the Cat Method
The Save the Cat method was introduced to the world by Blake Snyder. Since then, it has been widely used in the movie industry and the prose industry.
[He means Novels and Short Stories.]
I am going to give you just a rough look at the method, which consists of a beat sheet and the Ten Universal Lessons. [Dramatic.] You can read more about from Snyder’s book, which I am not going to promote…… Already did that in the other articles.
I will also try to keep this short; I know you are a busy person. All right like a bandaid, let us rip this off.
[Ouch.]
Sorry.
Ten Universal Lessons
In the universe, there are Ten Universal Lessons. [You can argue about if this is true or not on your own time.]
- Forgiveness
- Love
- Acceptance
- Faith
- Fear
- Trust
- Survival
- Selflessness
- Responsibility
- Redemption
These are the lesson the Hero learns at the end of his/her journey. In a way, this is the theme of the story, and it is what your audience gets from the story.
Now, this can be shaped in any way and form, leading to many possibilities. Do not feel like you are forced only to use one. Mix and match some of these lessons into your story.
Beat Sheet
This is the main event, the big cheese, the whole point of this article. So get your pens ready to take some notes.
The method is still in the Three Act Structure of a story, but it breaks it down into digestible parts.
Opening Image
This is how your story is going to open up. What image are you trying to paint first? This is the first scene in the movie or the very first thing your reader reads in your short story or novel.
One of the coolest things I found is to have this fantastic opening image with some symbolism in it and then having the final image mirror that. I will make it more apparent the further we get down.
Remember to show not tell. It can be challenging when writing in prose, but I believe you. [Even I forget sometimes.]
Theme Stated
Once you have your opening image you move on next to your theme, this is mandatory, and some writers do not even think of a theme when they are writing. Which is fine.
If you want your story to have a solid foundation, then a theme can help build on that.
Some tips that I have read about themes is that you should state it early on and then restate at the end. Where you put, the theme is up to you. Overall the theme stated is for you to connect which characters need to learn this theme.
A secondary character is usually one that hints at it in the First Act. Remember do not scream it at the reader make sure you subtly slide that theme in under the radar.
Be creative a person does not have to say it; anyone and anything can say it.
Setup
Now we are in the meat of the story. This is where you introduce all the people in your story. Make sure you introduce the main character and all the essential characters. This is the life before the change that the catalyst gives. It shows the main character has a flaw but does not want to change.
You do not have to introduce everyone, you can always slowly bring them in, but make sure to include the people that are going to be involved in the catalyst.
This is also a good time to state the theme, the flaws of the characters, and the external goal of the main character.
Catalyst
The catalyst comes in many names, such as Initial Incident, opening event, Inciting Incident, or trigger. This is what breaks the status quo for the main character, forcing them into a world that they are foreign to.
It should be big enough that the main character cannot go back to their normal life.
Debate
This is where the main character debates on whether they should go forward into this new world. Remember the main character does not want to change; this beat shows us clearly that the character is having a hard time changing.
Break Into 2
This the transition beat from the old world to the new world. Now I have been saying new world but what I mean is something that is different from what the main character is used to.
This has to be a clear and distinct change from the status quo. This new world is not going to make the main character better, but it is the first step into the character changing. The main character is doing what he/she wants in the new world, not what they need.
B Story
B story characters can be anything from a new love interest, mentor, friend or even nemesis. Usually, this character is a product of the new world, and in a way, represents the theme.
Fun and Games
TOURNAMENT ARC!!!!!! TOURNAMENT ARC!!! IT’S A FUCKING TOURNAMENT ARC!!!
Sorry about that, this is where the fun happens. It’s where the main character starts to fail and then succeed in this new world. The main character is slowly starting to get used to this world but is still not doing what he/she needs to do to change.
It shows that the First Act is very different from the Second Act. Both Acts must be opposites. If the First Act was filled with minivans, the Second act is filled with hot speed roadsters.
Midpoint
This is where all the Fun and Games is put to the test, and the main character tries to prove to everyone that he/she has changed. This beat ends in two ways; a false victory, or a false defeat.
This is where the worlds collide, and the stakes are raised. The main character is now shifting from their wants to their needs.
Bad Guys Close In
This is the opposite of Fun and Games. There is no more fun; fun gone. Everything was going so well for the main character until the midpoint, and now everything is failing terribly.
The main character’s flaws are beating them down, and nothing they can do can fix it. It is a spiralling pool of problems piling up on problems. Leading up to;
All is Lost
This is when everything falls apart, and the main character can’t move on. This should feel like another Catalyst. Death should be right by the door waiting for the main character to give up all hope.
It has to be big, big enough to push the main character into the Third Act.
Dark Night of the Soul
Our hero is now reflecting upon everything that has happened so far, either on his/her actions or flaws. The beat should lead your main character to an epiphany.
The main characters life should seem worse off then it did at the beginning.
Break Into 3
The main character finally knows what the theme is and has learned it, but knowing and putting it into action are two different things. Everything from this moment on the main character does because he/she needs to do it. No more wants.
The Third Act world should be a combination of the old world and the new world.
Finale
The main character is struggling to enact his/her plan to defeat the main opponent. This is also where the main character proves to everyone that he/she has learned the theme and uses it to assure victory.
Final Image
Same with the opening image, but showing the transformation of the main character. The final product. A good mirror effect from the opening image.
Conclusion
Overall I think this method is an excellent and solid way to create a strong foundation for your story. It won’t make you a bestseller in a matter of seconds, but with practice and time, it can help create solid stories that can live out through the ages.
You can always read the Save the Cat books by Blake Snyder and Jessica Brody to get a more in-depth knowledge of the beat sheet and the lesson.
