Save the Cat! and Software
As I mentioned in a post on April 27, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to receive and review a copy of Save the Cat! Software and to be part of the blog tour for the book by Jessica Brody held by WOW-Women on Writing.
For those unfamiliar with Save the Cat!, here is a brief description -
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.
Now for my take on Save the Cat!
First, I already had the book by Jessica Brody.
And I was using it to put together an outline for my
novel, Sanctuary. My problem is my novel is
turning into a series, with ideas and scenes, and no
way to really corral it all.
I have tried other word processing software and
novel writing platforms, none of which really worked
for me. So a chance to try out Save the Cat! software
was really interesting.
novel, Sanctuary. My problem is my novel is
turning into a series, with ideas and scenes, and no
way to really corral it all.
I have tried other word processing software and
novel writing platforms, none of which really worked
for me. So a chance to try out Save the Cat! software
was really interesting.
One of the things I really like about the software is
the option to write a single novel or to set up for a
series. The software allows me to add notes and
track everything from characters to locations and
everything in between. All in one place!
On the left hand side are the books of the series
(note - those are definitely working titles). And if I
am working on Sanctuary and get an idea for book 4
in the series, I can quickly flip over to it.
But the main thing I really, really love about the
software are the 'beats'!
Everything from the logline of the novel, to the page
count and character descriptions come equipped with
questions which need to be answered about the
scene or character, making, in my opinion, a deeper,
more well-rounded story.
For those who love having index cards to track their
story, you can print them out from the program.
So my pros about about software -
Prompts/Beats - allowing me to write a better
story (in my opinion).
Organization - allowing me to write either
a stand alone novel or a
series. Options are also there
for a screenplay or TV series.
Sync across devices - if my desktop had not
died, then I could sync
between that and my
laptop.
Ease of Use - While there are a lot of things
you can do with the software,
it is fairly easily to start using.
Tutorial videos are available for
to help you get started.
Customer Service - I did email a couple of
questions to tech and
received answers in a
very timely manner.
Customer Service - I did email a couple of
questions to tech and
received answers in a
very timely manner.
The cons of the software -
The colors - I wish I had more options for
changing the colors of the cards.
Price - it's not cheap. As an unpublished
author I might balk at the annual cost.
If the cost was for lifetime use, I would
be more willing to pay for it, especially
the Pro edition which has all the bells
and whistles. But I understand the
cost, it is a really great program.
cost, it is a really great program.
All-in-all, once my time is up on the software I was
given to review, I will probably renew at the
Premium, or Experienced Writer, level. I find I am
really enjoying it much, much more than other
writing platforms I have tried in the past.
Now to get back to Sanctuary.
given to review, I will probably renew at the
Premium, or Experienced Writer, level. I find I am
really enjoying it much, much more than other
writing platforms I have tried in the past.
Now to get back to Sanctuary.
Thank you for your excellent review!
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