“Save the Cat!” 2-Day Workshop with Blake Snyder. February 2008. Summerville, SC
Front row: Nina Bruhns, Blake Snyder, Dorothy McFalls, Rita Herron, Stephanie Bond
Back row: Sharon Wray, Kieran Kramer, Jennifer Harrington, Cynthia Cooke, Raven Hart, CJ Lyons
It was at least two years ago, perhaps more. The prolific Nina Bruhns came to the Lowcountry chapter of RWA with a book—a screenwriting book—and recommended that we all get a copy and read it. “Screenwriting?” I remember thinking at the time. “That has nothing to do with writing romance. I don’t need this book.” How wrong I was.
The book, Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder was written in 2005. And within a short period of time the book has become a quiet revolution in both the screenwriting and genre fiction world. Why? I believe it’s because the book expands on the three-act story structure in a way that’s both easy to follow and universal to storytelling regardless of the genre or whether the story will be told on paper or visually. The 15-beat story structure he outlines is a roadmap for character growth and the classic story arc that makes for a gripping and memorable book and/or movie.
As his book’s popularity grew, so did his demand for teaching his techniques in the Save the Cat! workshop. A generous teacher, he presented his workshops to several RWA chapters and at the RWA National Conference in 2008. And, thanks to Nina’s efforts, LRWA was fortunate to have been one of his stops on his workshop tour. In February 2008, his hands-on workshop challenged the participants to put the 15-beat story structure to work for them. At the end of the busy two days, we left with a polished pitch that we could use to effectively sell our idea and a roadmap for developing that idea into a book or screenplay.
A few weeks before the workshop (I had signed up for it) I did finally read the book, even though it was a screenwriting book and I have no desire at all to write screenplays. And I quickly learned that what everyone was saying about the book was true. Any writer could learn from the techniques discussed in Blake Snyder’s book.
One thing that really resonated with me from his book was his discussion of the “Save the Cat” scene (which is where the title of his books come from.) He complains that they don’t use it in movies as much as they should anymore and is one reason some movies fail. The “Save the Cat” moment is part of the scene where the audience first meets the hero (or heroine). In this moment, the hero does something that let’s the audience connect with him (or her)—saves a cat, perhaps? This small act, sometimes not really consciously noticed by the audience, gives us an intimate look into who the hero is and why we should like him (or her).
It’s a subtle technique and yet key to whether the story connects with the audience. Why is it important? Blake points out that “liking the person we go on a journey with is the single most important element in drawing us into the story.” Just think about it. We’ve all read books (wonderful books) where the hero (or heroine) starts out being one of the most unredeemable characters you could ever imagine. He might be a cad, a rake, or a gambler. But there’s that spark, that little something the character does that lets the audience know that deep down this is a character worthy of redemption and that this is a story I want to hear.
Now whenever I start a new project, one of the first things I ask myself is, “What is my hero’s ‘Save the Cat’ moment?” As a writer, defining this scene helps me connect with the hero. Through the process of developing it I tend to I learn something new about my character. Generally, this “Save the Cat” moment points out something that at the beginning of the story the character tends to keep hidden. But as the story blooms and the character grows, I can build on what happened in that initial scene, that flash of humanity, and let it help guide me in how my main character grows within the story arc.
I wasn’t the only one to take away something special from his book and workshop. Raven Hart and Jennifer Harrington, who also attended Blake Snyder’s “Save the Cat” workshop share what they took away from the experience:
“When you took a Blake Snyder class you felt as if you’d acquired not just a wonderful teacher but also a mentor and friend. I miss him.” ~ Raven Hart, The Vampire’s Revenge (Jan. 2009)
“I’ve spent most of my professional life as a nonfiction proofreader/editor. I used to think I didn’t have the ability to write fiction. I could think of an interesting beginning to a story, and often visualize how I wanted it to end. But how in the world do you figure out the middle? What is that mysterious process of getting your characters through a set of circumstances that will engage and entertain the reader?
Blake answered that question for me and really demystified the process. His books are written to screenwriters, but the principles work for any kind of fiction. Once I knew what turning points I was looking for, the process of creating storylines became exciting, fun, and most important of all—doable.
Blake insists that you must be able to state your story premise and hook and create a compelling mental picture in just one sentence before you even begin writing. In screenwriting parlance it’s called a logline, and Save the Cat! shows you in detail how to craft it. I have seen in my own writing how having a really good logline makes all difference between having a story that flounders and one that practically writes itself.
In short, what I learned from Blake was how to develop a cracking good story. It’s not a ‘formula.’ It’s a set of tools to help make a story the most entertaining and memorable that it can be.” ~ Jennifer Harrington, Member, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers (HCRW), Raleigh, NC, professional proofreader/editor for nonfiction who is busily polishing her manuscript to submit to editors/agents very soon.
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Blake Snyder joined the family business at age 8, working as a voice talent for his father, Emmy-winning TV producers, Ken Snyder (Roger Ramjet, Big Blue Marble). He began his career writing for the Disney TV series, Kids Incorporated, penning 13 episodes before turning to writing spec screenplays full time. He sold many original scripts and pitches to the major studios and has written two Save the Cat! screenwriting books with a third set for publication in October of this year. He died on August 4, 2009. He was 53.
His last blog post, “10,000 Hours”, beautifully sums what an inspiration he was to aspiring writers. http://www.blakesnyder.com/2009/08/10000-hours/
Memorial Fund: Blake loved and supported Beyond Shelter, the LA-based non-profit agency whose innovative programs to end family homelessness have been adapted throughout the United States. Read about Beyond Shelter and contribute to Blake’s memorial fund.
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Dorothy McFalls writes historical romance and mysteries. Five Star/Gale published her latest Regency romance release, THE NUDE, in May 2009. For more information about Dorothy’s work, visit www.dorothymcfalls.com.