Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Save the Cat by Blake Snyder and Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody are useful frameworks, but not the be-all-end-all. To write a great story today, you need more than a beat sheet. These are 5 problems (or holes) in Save the Cat.

Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on my upcoming resource....this week was a story structure analysis of Project Hail Mary: nicolewilbur.substack.com/publish/post/193466353r=1odtbd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

00:00 Intro
01:45 #1 10% is too late
06:00 #2 Midpoints as revelation
09:30 #3 Don't state the theme!
11:15 #4 Crises are the crux
14:00 #5 Fractal design

Alternative Resources
1. jessicabrody.com/2020/07/four-catalyst-quick-fixes-for-save-the-cat (Save the Cat Writes a YA Novel mentions this content)
2. Into the Woods by John Yorke
3. youtu.be/lGi7IhH6aoA
4. storygrid.com/story-crisis
5. Into the Woods (again) and mythcreants.com/blog/your-plot-is-a-fractal

I'm Nicole Wilbur, an author, writing mentor, and adrenaline-chaser. I write about young adults breaking the rules, falling in love, and becoming versions of themselves they never expected. Pursuing traditional publishing and sharing the highs & lows!

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How I think about story structure: youtu.be/lGi7IhH6aoA
Should you take that writing course? youtu.be/jmpo7-Bg9rU

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