Monday, May 25, 2020

Save the Cat Writing Software Review


WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

OF

Save the Cat! Structure Software


I'm a fan of Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, so I jumped on the chance to review Save the Cat! Structure Software!

Then, despite all of the amazing e-mails and communication with the blog tour's manager, I messed up my dates and had this post calendared for tomorrow.
Yikes!!! 
My apologies to the Save the Cat! Authors and the Software Developers.

My Review of Save the Cat! Structure Software:

I loved this software! I have tried a few others (I will not name them), but never found a program that fits my style, which is a combination of pansting and plotting, with general guidelines and loglines to guide me through my stories, novels, and non-fiction books. 

This structure has just what I need to keep track of plot beats (utilizing the Save the Cat! beat sheet structure), character arcs, settings, symbols/things, key character relationships, chapters, payoffs, and everything in handy ways which I found incredibly helpful. One thing I love about Save the Cat! Structure Software is that the logline for my project is always at the top of the page. I need this. It helps me remember my driving purpose and umbrella plan for the entire project.

If you are a die hard plotter, never fear! This software can work for you, too. There are ways to keep track of your plot in the plottiest of plot-point ways with main plot points, character arcs, symbolism in each scene, and more. 

Moving from one area to the next in your novel is incredibly easy with this software. The tutorial was helpful, but the software is fairly intuitive and I think you can dive right into using it. There are some fun bits in the software, like the "litter box" section where you can store the ideas you aren't ready to trash, but which aren't quite fitting within your main idea. 

Another part of this software that I loved is that it can be used for single book projects, book series projects, and script-writing for a movie or a show series. You don't have to limit yourself to a particular type of writing or length to use this software. 

I'm currently using it to plot (ahem, plantster) my way through a novella series. I'm planning to use it to work my way through some problem areas in a revision project. 

In other words, I'm sold on this program. I find it useable, useful, and helpful as a short story writer, a novelist, and as somehow who has attempted writing a graphic novel script/prose mashup (that's the revision project I'm planning to revise with this software). 

If you like Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, I think you would like this software. 


About Save the Cat!®
Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.
Find out more about Save the Cat! by visiting their webpage at www.savethecat.com.
About the Save the Cat Structure Software

Save the Cat! Story Structure Software is adapted from the Save the Cat! methodology to help screenwriters and novelists unlock the fundamentals of plot and character transformation. The Story Structure Software is a virtual writer board with digital index cards to help map out your story against the 15 beats or plot points to your story. The software enables writers to track emotional shifts of characters from scene to scene, develop profiles and edit and version your story with ease.

You can purchase a subscription to the Save the Cat! Structure Software at Save the Cat's website.


About the Author, Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody worked for MGM Studios as manager of acquisitions and business development before becoming an internationally best-selling author of more than fifteen novels for adults and teens including The Geography of Lost Things, The Chaos of Standing Still, A Week of Mondays, and Better You Than Me. She travels the country teaching Save the Cat! workshops to novelists.

Monday, May 18, 2020

New Release, Writing Youtube Videos, and Monday Motivation - Is Storytelling Built Into Us?

NEW RELEASE

Walking with Jesus: Stories from One Hope Church is out and available at most online retailers!
Real People. Real Dilemmas. Real Jesus.
14 Authors, One Faith-Filled Anthology.

Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo for sale.
Reviews would be awesome!


WRITING AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS

I know authors have been creating writing videos for a long time, but I am finally getting into this with a series on Journal Writing. You can see my latest video here:




I'm also enjoying Sean McLachlan's Videos like this:




I struggle with creating videos because my speaking voice isn't perfect and I'm not a supermodel, but for some reason, during this stay-at-home season, the video bug hit me and I just started. My skills are still lacking, but I decided just to start. If I need to erase and rebuild later, I will.
I recommend checking out Sean's videos to see a bit more polish and to get some great writing inspiration. 

WRITING INSPIRATION AND MONDAY MOTIVATION


"You’re never going to kill storytelling because it’s built into the human plan. We come with it.” --Margaret Atwood, poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist.

Do you think storytelling is embedded into humanity?

Why?



Friday, May 1, 2020

Recap of A to Z, Camp NaNoWriMo, and an Upcoming Release

RECAP OF THE A TO Z CHALLENGE AND CAMP NANOWRIMO 

Participating this year really worked for me.
I'm thankful for all of the wonderful feedback on the story segments.

UPCOMING RELEASE on May 16th!

Walking with Jesus: Stories from One Hope Church is an anthology of stories, poetry, and scripture. 


Ordinary lives in relationship with an extraordinary God create compelling faith narratives of every day believers.

When the call for this anthology went forth to One Hope Church, it was a call to everyday believers to bring in stories of moments with Jesus, those times when the presence of God touched their walking-around lives. Combined with scripture, these stories are inspiring, faith-building, and thought-provoking.

What do miracles look like in an everyday Christian's life?
What does faith entail?
Who produces change in us?
Who provides for us?
Who calls us to be more than we think we can be?
Who works in us, even when we least expect it?
Who comforts us? Who gives us peace?
Jesus.

Read to discover how ordinary lives become extraordinary in the light of God’s love.
Real people. Real dilemmas. Real Jesus.

Authors included in this anthology: Susan Buethe, Lauren Colman, Margaret Colman, James Estin, Kathleen Gillespie, Barbara G. Harris, Cindy Jones, Pat Lelvis, Ann Martin, Tyrean Martinson, Melissa Posod, Grace Rolle, Arlie Rue, John Schuler, and an author who prefers to remain anonymous.




If you would like to help, please contact me and I will give you a free PDF for review.