The Save the Cat (Save the Cat! Writes a Novel) outline is made up of 15 story beats that focus on bringing the main character through a complete believable internal change. The whole concept comes from reverse engineering many popular stories throughout history.
#outline #toolong #writing
Act 1 is the status quo world, the world as it is before the story begins. We need to know what this world looks like so we can be aware at the end of...
The second *Save the Cat* ([[202009131419 Save the Cat! Writes a Novel]]) beat is **Theme Stated** ([[202009132005 15 Story Beats]]). Somewhere within...
This is the final scene in the entire book, and serves the purpose of displaying how much the hero has changed across all 15 beats ([[202009132005 15 ...
Once the Catalyst ([[202009142030 The Catalyst Beat]]) has happened, the hero will need to highlight their flaws once again by being extremely resista...
The point of the Catalyst beat ([[202009132005 15 Story Beats]]) is to shake up the hero's life. You've already shown the reader that their life needs...
The Setup ([[202009132005 15 Story Beats]]) is a multi-scene beat where you show, in detail, the life of your hero. They should be actively seeking so...
To break into Act 2 effectively, Act 2 needs to be different enough from Act 1 that it can be broken into. Act 2 is a new world, an upside down world,...
In this beat, an introduction must be made. Act 2 ([[202009142104 Break Into Act 2 Beat]]) comes with Act 2 characters. If Act 1 is filled with Story ...
The Fun and Games beat is the "promise of the premise." *Harry Potter* ([[202009152142 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone]]) is about a school for ...
The Midpoint is a special single-scene beat that serves a whole lot of purposes in the *Save the Cat* ([[202009131419 Save the Cat! Writes a Novel]]) ...
Act 2, with all its length and turning points, can get a little confusing as to what goes where. In an attempt to simplify things a bit, let's summari...
The All Is Lost beat is a real doozie of a beat. No more playing nice to your hero. The purpose of this beat is to show the hero at their lowest point...
The Dark Night of the Soul beat is another debate ([[202009142029 Debate Beat]]), and it comes right at the end of Act 2. Every time there is a trauma...
Act 3 is a cool part of the book ([[202009132005 15 Story Beats]]). It might be tempting to wrap up the book quickly now that the character has change...
We're almost done! This last multi-scene beat ([[202009132005 15 Story Beats]]) - there's one single-scene beat next - is mostly a showcase of how the...