The Rebel Author Podcast 129 Save the Cat Writes a Novel with Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody, bestselling author of more than 20 novels and creator of Save the Cat Writes a Novel, explores the story structure that transformed her own writing career. They discuss redeemable heroes, story genres, dual POV, sagging middles, screenplay adaptations, and the dangers of rigid beat sheets. Plus, Disney villain spin-offs and unconventional endings.
01:05:07
Save The Cat Turned Rejections Into A Book Deal
- Jessica Brody’s first novel received rejections because it had clever dialogue but no coherent story.
- After rewriting it with Save the Cat, she secured an agent and sold the book to St. Martin’s Press in ten days.
Story Structure Works Like Narrative DNA
- Save the Cat identifies 15 recurring structural beats that appear at predictable percentage points in successful stories.
- Jessica Brody found the pattern across novels ranging from Dickens and Austen to Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
Give Your Hero A Memorable Redeeming Moment
- Give the protagonist an early redeeming action that makes readers root for them, even if the character remains flawed or morally questionable.
- Aladdin’s save-the-cat moment occurs when he gives his stolen bread to a starving mother and child.
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Intro
00:00 • 14min
Writing Disney Villain Spin-Offs
13:38 • 2min
From Rejections to Bestseller
15:52 • 2min
The Save the Cat Story Pattern
17:33 • 2min
Creating a Redeemable Hero
19:55 • 2min
Ten Story Genres and Character Journeys
21:55 • 4min
Finding the Story’s True Genre
25:59 • 6min
Save the Cat for Dual POV
31:36 • 6min
Fixing Act Two’s Sagging Middle
37:08 • 2min
Building a Story-Worthy Hero
39:34 • 3min
Save the Cat for Young Adult Fiction
42:06 • 4min
Shards of Glass and Dark Night Epiphanies
45:46 • 3min
Adapting Screenplays into Novels
48:56 • 4min
Avoiding Save the Cat Mistakes
52:32 • 7min
Rebelling Against Expected Endings
59:44 • 4min
Outro
01:03:18 • 2min
#93797
A Lesson in Vengeance
Victoria Lee
Victoria Lee’s A Lesson in Vengeance follows Felicity Morrow as she returns to Dalloway School, an elite institution haunted by the legacy of its former students.
The story combines dark academia atmosphere with psychological tension, sapphic relationships, and rumors of witchcraft.
As Felicity investigates the school’s history, she becomes entangled with a charismatic new student and the mysteries surrounding past deaths.
The novel explores grief, obsession, ambition, and the seductive power of stories about women and magic.
Sasha Black praised its luscious prose and emphasized that its central appeal is not primarily romantic, despite its sapphic elements.
#68209
Between burning worlds
Joanne Rendell
Jessica Brody
Between Burning Worlds is the second installment in Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell’s System Divine trilogy.
The series reimagines the characters and conflicts of Les Misérables within a science-fiction setting shaped by political oppression and rebellion.
Brody explains that she and Rendell initially viewed the novel as another institutionalized story, focused on rising above or destroying an institution.
They became unstuck when they recognized its central quest for a weapon as the defining structure of a Golden Fleece story.
That shift clarified the novel’s goals and allowed the writing process to move forward.
#25035
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
I Speak Boy
Jessica Brody
I Speak Boy is a contemporary young adult novel by Jessica Brody that uses a fantastical communication premise to explore adolescent relationships.
Its protagonist gains insight into the hidden meanings behind boys’ words and behavior, creating opportunities for humor, misunderstanding, and emotional growth.
The story examines crushes, friendship, self-confidence, and the difference between hearing someone and truly understanding them.
The heightened premise gives the novel a playful romantic-comedy structure.
It is part of Brody’s fiction for teen readers.
#548
• Mentioned in 77 episodes
Ready Player One
Ernie Cline
'Ready Player One' is set in a dystopian future where people escape reality through a virtual world called the OASIS.
The protagonist, Wade Watts, embarks on a quest to find an Easter egg hidden within the OASIS by its creator, James Halliday.
This quest involves solving puzzles, mastering 1980s pop culture trivia, and facing corporate rivals who also seek control of the OASIS.
The novel explores themes of nostalgia, escapism, and the importance of human connection in a digital age.
Wade's journey takes him from a lonely, isolated existence to becoming a hero with newfound friends and a sense of purpose.
The story blends adventure, science fiction, and virtual reality, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers of all ages.
#125063
A week of Mondays
Jessica Brody
A Week of Mondays follows Ellie as she experiences the same disastrous Monday again and again after a painful breakup.
Each repetition gives her a chance to revisit choices, repair relationships, and understand the people around her more honestly.
The time-loop structure combines romantic comedy with a coming-of-age journey.
Ellie gradually learns that changing external events is less important than changing her own assumptions and behavior.
The novel explores love, friendship, regret, and personal responsibility through an accessible speculative premise.
#2594
• Mentioned in 23 episodes
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
Jessica Brody
This book, part of the Save the Cat series, applies the popular screenwriting methodology to novel writing.
Jessica Brody demystifies the 15 essential plot points, or 'beats,' that are common in successful stories across various genres.
The guide includes easy-to-follow templates, sample 'beat sheets' from popular novels, and advice on pitching and revising novels.
It also covers the ten universal story genres and offers practical tips to enhance the writing process for both plotters and pantsers.
The book is designed to help writers create engaging stories with well-structured plots and memorable characters.
#126999
The Sky is Everywhere
Julia Whelan
Jandy Nelson
Jandy Nelson's The Sky Is Everywhere centers on Lennie Walker, a teenager coping with the sudden death of her beloved older sister.
The novel blends poetry and prose to convey Lennie's confusion, longing, and attempts to process grief through relationships and music.
As she navigates shifting romantic feelings and family dynamics, Lennie confronts what it means to carry loss and memory.
The book is celebrated for its lyrical voice, emotional honesty, and compassionate portrayal of adolescent mourning.
It has resonated widely with readers and earned critical acclaim in contemporary YA fiction.
#7695
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Kite Runner
Editorial Editorial Atlantic
Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, and his friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant.
The narrative explores their childhood, the betrayal Amir commits against Hassan, and Amir's later attempts to redeem himself.
The story spans several decades, including the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy, the Soviet invasion, and the rise of the Taliban.
Themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of father-son relationships are central to the novel.
Amir's journey involves confronting his past and making amends, particularly through his efforts to rescue Hassan's son, Sohrab, years after the initial betrayal.
#304
• Mentioned in 118 episodes
The grapes of wrath
John Steinbeck
Published in 1939, 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a powerful and poignant novel by John Steinbeck.
It tells the story of the Joad family, Oklahoma tenant farmers who are forced to leave their home after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
The novel follows their arduous journey along Route 66 to California, where they face numerous hardships, including poverty, exploitation, and the loss of family members.
The book explores themes of family, survival, and the struggle for human dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity.
It also delves into the broader social and economic issues of the time, highlighting the conflict between the powerful and the powerless.
Steinbeck's work is known for its vivid portrayal of the human condition and its impact on American literature and society.
#4854
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Set in Nazi Germany from 1939 to 1943, 'The Book Thief' follows the life of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old girl who is sent to live with foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, after her brother dies and her mother is forced to give her up due to the dangers of the Nazi regime.
Liesel develops a deep love for books and words, stealing them from various sources, including Nazi book-burnings.
The story takes a dramatic turn when the Hubermanns hide a Jewish man, Max Vandenburg, in their basement.
Narrated by Death, the novel explores themes of war, loss, friendship, and the human spirit, providing a unique and powerful perspective on life during World War II.
#11616
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi
#135081
The geography of lost things
Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody references her novel 'The Geography of Lost Things' to illustrate how an initial beat sheet can differ from the final, published structure.
The book itself delves into themes of grief, memory, and the ways people navigate life's emotional landscapes.
It uses character-driven storytelling to reveal how losses reshape relationships and self-understanding.
Brody's discussion shows the transformation of story structure from draft to final form.
The novel serves both as a creative work and as a teaching example for writers studying craft.
#564
• Mentioned in 75 episodes
Les misérables
Victor Hugo
Les Misérables is a profound novel that delves into the lives of several characters, particularly Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who seeks redemption after being treated with kindness by a bishop.
The novel critiques the social injustices of 19th-century France, including poverty, extreme social inequality, and a harsh prison system.
It weaves historical events, such as the June Rebellion of 1832, into the narrative and emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and the inherent dignity of all people.
#125741
The chaos of standing still
Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody's 'The Chaos of Standing Still' centers on Rin, a teenager grappling with the loss of her best friend and the paralysis that grief brings.
The narrative follows her emotional shutdown and gradual reawakening as she rediscovers her love for drawing, which becomes both a coping mechanism and a metaphor for healing.
Brody explores themes of grief, identity, and recovery with sensitivity and realism.
The novel balances raw emotion with moments of hope and youthful resilience.
It offers a compassionate portrayal of mourning and the creative ways people rebuild their lives.
#418
• Mentioned in 92 episodes
Save the Cat
Blake Snyder
In 'Save the Cat!', Blake Snyder provides a detailed analysis of the three-act structure and introduces his 15-beat sheet, a method for structuring screenplays.
The book covers key elements such as the Opening Image, Catalyst, Debate, Break into Two, B Story, Fun and Games, Midpoint, Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, Dark Night of the Soul, Break into Three, Finale, and Final Image.
Snyder also discusses the importance of making the hero likable through the 'Save the Cat' rule and breaks down successful films to illustrate his points.
The book is widely regarded as a definitive resource for screenwriters, offering practical advice and a clear framework for storytelling.
#16539
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
52 Reasons to Hate My Father
Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody's '52 Reasons to Hate My Father' follows Lexington Larrabee, a wealthy, entitled teen who must complete 52 low-wage jobs to earn her $25 million trust.
The premise forces the protagonist out of comfort into situations that challenge her attitudes, revealing layers of vulnerability and growth.
The book uses humor and social situations to chart an emotional arc from selfishness toward empathy.
Brody employs the 'save the cat' technique to create redeeming moments that make the protagonist relatable.
The novel examines family dynamics, responsibility, and the transformative power of work and humility.
#4129
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
Set in the city of Ketterdam, loosely inspired by Dutch Republic–era Amsterdam, 'Six of Crows' follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, and his diverse crew as they undertake a dangerous mission to rescue Bo Yul-Bayur, the inventor of the potent drug 'jurda parem'.
The story is told through multiple viewpoints and features a complex plot with suspense, twists, and character development.
The novel is part of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse and is the first in the 'Six of Crows' duology, followed by 'Crooked Kingdom'.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What Save the Cat is
- What the main beats are
- Mistakes to avoid with Save the Cat
- How to use save the cat beats with dual POV
This week’s question is: What are your favorite tropes?
Recommendation of the week is: A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
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