Is ‘Save The Cat! Writes a Novel’ a formula or a framework?

Hey, writers. I’ve got some questions for you about the very popular writing craft book: ‘Save The Cat! Writes A Novel’ by Jessica Brody.

💬 Here’s what the Amazon blurb says about this book:

‘Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of novel writing. Revealing the 15 “beats” (plot points) that comprise a successful story–from the opening image to the finale–this book lays out the Ten Story Genres (Monster in the House; Whydunit; Dude with a Problem) alongside quirky, original insights (Save the Cat; Shard of Glass) to help novelists craft a plot that will captivate–and a novel that will sell.’

❓ But what I’d like to know from the writers reading this is: does 15 plot points = a formula?

Jessica Brody addresses this potential criticism in the book’s introduction. She says:

‘Many novelists worry that following a methodology like Save The Cat! will cause their novel to end up “formulaic” or “predictable.” They worry that following a structure guide or template will detract from their art and limit their creative options.

‘So I want to nip that fear in the bud right here. Right now.

‘The pattern that Blake Snyder found in almost all movies and the pattern that I’ve similarly found in almost all novels is not a formula. Like I said before, it’s an underlying storytelling code.

‘It’s the secret recipe that makes great stories work.

‘There’s something buried deep within our DNA as humans that makes us respond to certain storytelling elements told in a certain order.’

📚 She goes on to mention that popular books by great authors nearly all fit the same pattern.

🥁 And the book then goes on to outline the pattern, or the ‘beats’ as they’re called in this context.

◾ Have you read this book? What did you think?

◾ Have you used it to help your own writing process? Did it help?

◾ Is it or isn’t it a formula? Does it matter?

I’d love to hear your reflections.

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