Save the Cat: A Book Review

I first heard about this book when I met my first real writer. She hadn’t been published (yet), but I remember my admiration at her immovable schedule of writing every day.

“How do you write a book?” I asked.

“I write every day,” she told me, “and read Save the Cat.”

Since that day, Save the Cat has sat on my to-read shelf on Goodreads for years and has been added and removed from my Amazon cart many times.

At a recent young adult noveling conference I attended, speakers and writers praised Save the Cat and I added it to my Amazon cart again. I finally purchased it in desperation, looking for some much-needed plot advice for my current novel. I read it over a span of a week.

Did it live up to the hype? Maybe.

The reason for hesitation is this: I didn’t feel like it changed the way I look at writing and story. But I think the reason for this is that Save the Cat is an application book. I don’t think it’s meant to be read cover to cover, but rather referenced when applying his plotting principles. I have yet to try his plot formula. But I think this book will be helpful when I do.

Even though Save the Cat is a screenwriting book, it’s still valuable for novelists. Why? Blake Snyder’s ability to recognize plot points in successful movies connects to plot points needed in novels. A story is a story, no matter the form, and Blake Snyder conveys his secrets of writing an interesting, character-driven story.

While it’s not the greatest writing book I’ve ever read (my favorites are Bird by Bird and Spilling Ink), I will turn back to it for developing plot. Perhaps after application of his book, my appreciation for it will grow and it will make my favorites list. We’ll see.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3.5
Content: 4
Readability: 5
Overall: 4

Would I recommend? Sure.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!