Review: Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel

Title: Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel
Author: Jessica Brody
Genre: Non Fiction
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel, prolific author and story coach Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story structure guide for anyone who wants to write a young adult novel by applying the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of YA fiction. In this book, you will learn:

• The fifteen “beats” (or plot points) that are necessary for crafting a successful story with a compelling character arc —including the Opening Image, Catalyst, Fun and Games, Bad Guys Close In, Dark Night of the Soul, and Finale
• The ten universal story genres that will help you drill into what makes your type of story work, including those most commonly found in young adult novels like Rites of Passage, Superhero, Buddy Love, Institutionalized, and Golden Fleece
• Quirky, original insights and writing tips like “Save the Cat,” the “Shard of Glass,” and the “Dark Night Epiphany,” that help you craft a story that will thrill and captivate teen readers

Filled with practical advice, easy-to-follow templates, and “beat sheets” analyzing the structure of popular young adult novels such as Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, and Lois Lowry’s The Giver, this book is the ultimate reference for anyone who’s ever dreamed of writing their own young adult bestseller.

Review:

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is one of the best writing guides I’ve ever read! I was so excited when I found out that Jessica Brody was writing a new edition for Young Adult novels. 

This book details the 15 “beats” of the Save the Cat method for plotting a novel. There is extensive information on the different genres, or story types, that are found in almost every young adult novel. There are also some “beat sheets” for popular young adult novels, such as Six of Crows and The Fault in Our Stars, so you can see how the beats work in novels you already know. 

Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel is a must read for young adult writers!

Thank you Ten Speed Press for providing a digital copy of this book.

Have you read Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel? What did you think of it?