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After reviewing the basics of the plot, you may want to take your story to another layer. The 15 Beats that Saved the Cat is written for screenwriters. However, it's an excellent source for all story writers.
The 15 Beats
Another layer of sophistication for planning your plot is outlined in Blake Snyder's Save the Cat.Snyder unrolls 15 Beats to move the story forward. Yes, 15 beats is designed for screenplays; however, it is an excellent road map for all stories. (I recommend purchasing this book for your library).
The 15 Beats is as follows and will be illustrated in this very thorough YouTube with a brief breakdown to follow:
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A Breakdown of the 15 Beats:
1. Opening Image – The main character/hero and their world. "A Thumbnail sketch"
2. Theme Stated – what the hero discover or learn
3. Set-up – Hero's present life
4. Catalyst – A trigger that forces the character to choose to whether or not to move into an unfamiliar world
5. Debate – A reaction sequence in which the hero debates what they will do
6. The choice-The hero decides to accept the call to action; leave their comfort zone
7. B Story – new character(s) who will serve to help the hero.
8. Fun and Games – hero in their new world; the "hook" of the story.
9. Midpoint – "Fun and Games" culminates in either a "false victory/defeat." Something "raises the stakes" and pushes the hero.
10.Bad Guys Close In – things get consistently worse for the hero; the hero's inner demons or "internal bad guys" are also closing in.
11.All is Lost – rock bottom.
12.Dark Night of the Soul – the moment right before the hero figures out the solution; and, hopefully learns the theme.
13.Break into 3 – Hero realizes what they must to do
14.Finale – The hero proves they have truly learned the theme; Bad guys are destroyed; hero's world is a better place than it was before.
15.Final Image – A mirror to the "Opening Image", of the changed hero
Writing Tips to Use this Method:
1. Purchase the book. Synder is funny and uses simple examples.
2. Grab your large sketch pad and stick notes. Be prepared to make changes as you go. It's more like a puzzle at this stage & once the pieces fit together it's a great feeling. Sometimes this stage should be done with a partner.
3. As you watch shows, ask yourself "which step" is this part of the plot. You'll be surprised how quickly you can identify these stages both in the show and then in your own writing.
4. Be patient with your plot. Sometimes it's best to let it "rest" for a while (Stephen King does this with every work he writes) and then come back to it.
5. Sometimes it helps to work backwards. Begin at step 15 and work your way back to the opening image.
I hope you found this useful!! Please send me your comments and questions and I will address those as well!
