While taking the course on Writing a Proposal for TV, one of the books recommended was Blake Snyder’s SAVE THE CAT – The Last Book On Screenwriting That You’ll Ever Need.
My intention here is certainly not to write a review of the book. The guy’s got almost 5,000 ratings, 80% of them 5 stars.
But before I tell you why I am writing about Save the Cat, let me let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, and explain the title in Blake’s words:
Save the Cat is the screenwriting rule that says… it’s the scene where we meet the hero and the hero does something -like saving a cat – that defines who he is and make us, the audience, like him.
Further in the book, Blake explains his test marketing method:
I pitch to anyone who will stand still. I do it in line at Starbucks. I do it with friends and strangers. I always spill my guts when it comes to discussing what I’m working on, because:
I have no fear that anyone will steal my idea (and anyone who has that fear is an amateur and…
You find out more about your script by talking to people.
I talk to “civilians’”
Which brings me to THANK ALL OF YOU who provided me with comments, suggestions and encouragements regarding my logline (see previous post).
One comment was that the absent father may not be the best term to use. For an indebt comment on my logline you may want to read the comments posted by PRIOR.
Perhaps abandoned fathers might be a better term.
If you’re interested in writing a screenplay you might consider having a look at this book.
One last word. I am aware that taking on this project and especially talking about it places me in a vulnerable position. What if I fail (and the chances, considering my zero contacts with the business) are quite high.
I will continue to work on my logline and will also write about the other aspects of screenwriting which are the concept, the characters, genre, the setting, and the all intimidating screenwriting software which I am in the process of learning.
If anything, all this gives me material to post on my blog. 😉
Carol Balawyder 
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Carol, as you explore this new way of creating. I look forward to learning a lot from you as you move along. Thanks for the book recommendation, too. As of now, I don’t have plans for screenwriting, but you never know…
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You’re right…you never know. Thanks for commenting, Margot.
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Save the Cat is a great resource and not only for screenwriters! The Beat Sheet is helpful when it comes to structuring your story. What if you fail? Well, you just try again! 🙂
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Good point, Jill. You are so right about Save The Cat not being only for screenwriters but also any writer and the beat sheet is a great tool! 🙂 .
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sounds like a great book for writers of all kinds. best of luck on your project )
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Thanks, Beth. Your kindness is very much appreciated and you’re right it’s a great book for all kinds of writers. ❤
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Thanks for another interesting post, Carol. Hope you’re making good progress on your book marketing.
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Book marketing? I am so poor at that! Right now I’m just trying to get the script written. But, I am also a believer that things do work out although perhaps not as we planned them to. ❤
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I thought that was what you were doing, making a quick summary to interest a reader. But yes, it is all so hard! And it will work out.
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Oh, I see. I’m not yet at the marketing stage. I’m sort of testing out my proposal. Thank you, Anneli, for your kind encouragement. ❤
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If I can help any time, just ask.
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Thanks, Anneli. I really appreciate it. ❤
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I am in awe of screenwriting and have never contemplated it. However, I would love to create film scenes. In my mind’s eye I often see opening scenes, no words, the pictures have to tell the story and that is fascinating.
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You should try it. Your idea of scenes without words is indeed fascinating. Trust your mind’s eye. ❤
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First, congratulations on your new endeavor! I’m looking forward to following you on your journey. Yes, it’s not a simple goal you set yourself, but wasn’t it Wayne Gretzky who said “You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take”?
The one thing that surprised me was the open sharing of ideas: I read that some prominent authors are unwilling to review new authors’ work for fear they’ll be sued for “stealing an idea”, even if they didn’t feel they did it. Does the author of Save the Cat address why only armatures exhibit that fear?
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No he doesn’t address that but probably it has something to do with his confidence and also his success. Who would dare plagiarized him! I am very thankful for your encouraging words. ❤
Great quote by Gretzky. Thomas Edison said:
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
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That was very interesting, Carol. I think it’s fantastic that you’re trying a new venture and wish you every success. Toni x
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Good luck, and congrats on trying something new.
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Thank you for your kind words. ❤
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Even for us novel writers, that ‘save the cat’ is great advice.
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It is. In fact he also wrote a book titled Save The Cat Writes A Novel but the advice he gives in his book on screenwriting is easily applicable to novel writing.
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Carol, this book sounds really interesting. I love that save the cat idea. I guess the most famous example might be Holly golightly’s relationship with Cat? That’s what comes to mind anyway.
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Great book! I have it, of course! Every wannabe screenwriter’s manual. ❤
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It has a lot of info in it and some of it complicated for my little mind! 🙂
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I’m reading Save the Cat at the moment. I’m a little like Blake Snider in that if someone asks me, and sometimes even if they don’t ask, I’m happy to tell them about my manuscript. I have a couple of reasons – it’s a way of brainstorming if I say it out loud. If there’s a scene that’s bothering me, it may become clearer where I need to change it, (I just have to remember to jot it down before I forget) and also I’m excited about my writing. And who knows, one day, the right person listening to me natter on will be an editor or agent who passes me their business card. Thank you for sharing your writing journey.
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I like your attitude, Joanne about sharing your writing. This is what I am doing in posting my film proposal. It is a way of brainstorming and getting comments. Good luck with your new website.
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