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.

5 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Sounds like it's handy software to have.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tyrean - you obviously love this programme ... very enthusiastic post ... and if I was writing books - I definitely can see I'd be looking into it. Love the title ... but hadn't realised Snyder died so young: sad. Take care and stay safe - Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Save the Cat is my favorite writing book, so I bet I would like the software.

Melissa said...

Save the Cat made sense to me. I bet I'd like the software, too. Great post!

Yolanda Renée said...

Sounds awesome! I just hate the thought of having to learn yet another software. LOL Getting lazy in my old age! Great job on the review and post!