Save the Cat, Software and Book – @@@@@ at-a-boys I am going to age myself here. I have been using computers since monitors had back ground screens that were black and letters that were either gold or green flashing dots. I remember when Word Perfect (it was NOT perfect but it did do words) had that really odd blue background and white letters. I got a Macintosh computer when it only came with a black and white screen (who needed color). I have had Windows machines called IBM compatible, several versions of Macs, and I have composed work on mainframe computer workstations using arcane language. What I am saying is I got history and from that, well I have opinions. Aside from that, I have a HUGE jones for software. I am not a programmer but I have a credit card and I am not afraid to use it to improve my writing. The reason I tell you this, is because, I want you to know, NONE of the software or books I review have been provided to me by the companies, they were all purchased retail and I am not beholden to anyone. My views are of course my own, but they are honest and I hope helpful to my fellow writers.

In this blog, over time I will be reviewing a wide variety of products for writers. My focus will be story and writing software, books on writing, and the odd bit of hardware that I feel relate to those that endeavor to place words to paper or pixel. One other thing might be worth mentioning; many of my software packages and books came to me when I had transitioned from short stories and novels, to writing screenplays. Therefore, most of the software aims as writing or plotting screenplays. This makes significant sense, because screenplays have countless formatting and structure rules that novels are mostly unencumbered with.

So, why would a guy, trying to sell a novel and who intends to write several more, want to review screenplay software? Well, I own a lot of that type of software so it is convenient. But the bigger reason is, I have a unique process that I find turns out a stronger novel.

PLOT DOG’S MAGIC WRITING FORMULA

First, like all writers, I have to find a story. OK I don’t have to; they jump in my head from a hundred places. I have to take notes and store them just to keep some sanity (my readers, especially those who have read Sex.Dead.Com might argue about the sanity part). For me, story starts are almost magically easy. (For those who struggle with this stage, please feel free to flame me, hate me, or ask me for an interesting idea — just post a comment and I will get back to you.) Take heart in any case, there are even software programs that help you generate story ideas, I will talk about those down the road.

Since I have no trouble generating the story, I have the challenge of structuring the story. To solve this problem there are numerous software programs available to assist the writer. Just some of the popular products are: Save the Cat, Power Structure, Totally Write, Story Weaver, Dramatica Pro, and their less expensive, less complex siblings are just a few that I currently own for the purpose of helping me through the morass of my thoughts on a story. None of them is perfect, all have some type of benefit and I have found myself using more than one on a given story.

But I digress yet again, so back to process, I structure my story on paper, then do an outline using one of more of these programs, then I do a short story to flesh out the outline. Once that is done, I usually write a screenplay of the main action. My thought is this, while screenplays are not even remotely similar to novels, they do paint some fabulous images in my head for the novel. (Besides, one never knows what would sell to Hollywood. See “The Firm” was an underselling book, turned into a movie, then back into the novel that launched a certain author’s every so productive career. He was a lawyer too, so that makes Grisham more than a bit of a hero to me). That proves, you never know what will sell. I will take the chance the screenplay might drive the sale of the novel. Whatever works, well, works. Once the screenplay is complete, I turn it into a novel. Interestingly enough, the novel is often only remotely related to the screenplay, (as adaptations normally are.)

I know this process is convoluted and a bit messy, but any process that works and sells is valid. I read countless interviews of authors and screenwriters and there just isn’t a “one size fits all” system. Writers are a unique group of critters, and within that group there are a million ways to get inspiration onto paper. I won’t judge yours, if you don’t judge mine.

My process drives the software review and impacts how I go about the review and even what I choose to review.

To that end, for my first product review, I have selected a remarkable, combined product called “Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need” and its companion software program called, “Save the Cat”. Both products from the mind of Blake Snyder, a very well respected and reviewed screenwriter and Hollywood insider.

While, Mr. Snyder’s book and software are intended primarily for the screenwriting set, most everything he says applies to a well developed and structured novel. So, win win for a guy who goes both ways (screenplays and novels you kink thinkers) like me. The concepts in the book transfer almost seamlessly into novels, but I have to admit the software isn’t quite as transferable to novelists, mostly because screenplays have a limited number of pages, scenes, and story points that are possible. Novels on the other hand are far more flexible in structure rules. One of my beliefs is that a tightly structured story, first pieced together with a screenplay set of rules, can become a much more effective story in traditional book form. Try it a time or two and let me know if you agree.

Now, the other thing that matters to these reviews is that I am doing them from my own view as a struggling writer to get into the big leagues, or even minor leagues of publishing. Professionals who are making a living with words, may well disagree with me, but this ain’t their blog is it?

“Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need”

THE BOOK

As one would expect of a screenwriter, (folks required to maximize impact with an absolute minimum of words) Save the Cat is short to the point of almost being blissfully terse. At just under two hundred pages, the book is a fabulous balance of tools, tricks and information combined with the Hollywood insider stories that make the movies so much more fun to watch. Who doesn’t love some insiders gossip? Save the Cat consists of eight chapters that you can learn a bit about at his web site: http://www.blakesnyder.com/ or click the image below: In short, the book provides for idea development, understanding of genres, understanding of critical characters, a marvelous tool known as “Blake Snyder Beat Sheet”, the proper care and use of a story board, (something that becomes so very clear in the software version of Save the Cat), some fabulous examples of the “hidden rules” of good screenplay stories and solutions to problems, and then finally, a hopeful wrap-up that should launch you into your story, be it a screenplay or a novel.

It would be impossible for me to give this book a higher rating. It is short, impactful, useful, clear, funny and insert all the blathering words of praise you can think of. This is honestly one of the most helpful, clear and effective writing books I have found. All of that praise might make you think I am a bit partial to the software as well. Guess you will have to read along.

“Save the Cat!” THE SOFTWARE

The first thing I want to say is that I was one of the very first to buy the Save the Cat software. I bought it at the Screen Writer’s Expo in LA. I brought it back to my hotel, loaded it, remembered there was a party with writers, and left that poor software alone on the computer. (Hey, who wants to learn software when you can go drink with the interesting men and pretty women at an Expo in LA.) However, on the flight home, I made friends with my new software. It fits well with the book, has a wonderful interface and meets the very specific needs of a screenwriter that desperately wants enforced structure. The steps needed to guide a writer through a full script set up are very helpful; and the questions and suggestions are invaluable to great script structure.

So, can I say anything bad about this software? Actually, I do have some things that frustrate me like crazy. One is the goofy splash screen, with a terracotta colored border, and no earthy use that I can see. Perhaps there is a purpose to the screen, but on my Mac, it keeps me from the easy multi tasking I like. I also need to say, I have version 1.8 and have not spent the money to upgrade to 2.0 and above, so I don’t know the if splash screen stayed, but it proved to be a remarkable annoyance to how I use my computer. The only other issues I had with the software was that the screens didn’t allow me as much flexibility in size and number as I would have liked, but then, few writers will use the software for combined screenplays and novels.

HUMAN BEING NOTICE: What I really want to focus on though is this: The people at The McFarlane Group, INC. (http://www.tmgca.com/) who programmed Save the Cat are amazing. I called with a few glitches in early versions, and I spoke to humans; humans with a sense of humor, who loved this software and were happy to hear about my issues so that they could fix it. Everything I asked for I got with no trouble and in amazingly quick time frames. These guys are simply software gods and I can’t possibly say enough positive about my experiences with customer service from The McFarlane Group. When I start my next screenplay, the upgrade to Save the Cat software will be my first purchase. I give the book and the software @@@@@ at-a-boys.