Successful authors look for ways to improve their craft, and one way to do that is to study plotting and storytelling methods. Two popular methods you may have heard of (and that we have referenced in previous posts) are the Save the Cat and Romancing the Beat methods. While both are helpful tools for novel writing, they do have some key differences.
Save the Cat is a method developed by screenwriter Blake Snyder. It's designed to help writers structure their stories around a series of "beats," or key moments in the plot that keep the reader engaged. The name "Save the Cat" comes from the idea that a character who saves a cat in the first act of a movie instantly becomes more likable to the audience. The method emphasizes the importance of having a clear and compelling protagonist, a well-defined theme, and a well-crafted opening scene that hooks the reader.
Romancing the Beat, on the other hand, is a method developed by author Gwen Hayes that's specifically designed for writing romance novels. It's based on the idea that every romance story follows a similar structure, with certain key moments that readers expect to see. The method breaks down the romance plot into a series of beats, starting with the "meet cute" and ending with the "happily ever after." Each beat is designed to build tension and create emotional resonance with the reader.
So, what are the main differences between Save the Cat and Romancing the Beat? Well, while both methods emphasize the importance of structure and key moments in the plot, they are tailored for different genres. Save the Cat is a more general method that can be applied to any type of story, while Romancing the Beat is specifically designed for romance novels.
Another difference is the focus on character development. Save the Cat emphasizes the importance of having a clear and compelling protagonist, while Romancing the Beat focuses more on the romantic relationship between the two main characters.
Ultimately, both methods are tools that can help you structure your story and keep your reader engaged. Which one you choose to use will depend on the type of story you're writing and what works best for you as a writer.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
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