Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 1) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 29


Listen Later

Does your novel feel like it’s wandering aimlessly, struggling to find direction? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the first five beats of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story readers can’t put down. Learn how this flexible plotting method can keep your story on track while leaving plenty of room for creativity and unexpected inspiration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why Save the Cat is the perfect balance of structure and creativity
  • How to craft a compelling first scene
  • How to subtly introduce your story’s core message in the theme stated beat
  • Why the setup is crucial and why skipping it can hurt your story
  • And so much more

Whether you’re drafting or revising, this episode will give you practical tips to apply the Save the Cat framework to your own manuscript.

Get the Workbook:📚 Click here to sign up to get the Save the Cat Act 1 Workbook

Join My Email List 📧 Click HERE to join my email list and snag free writing goodies, including expert workshops and more!  

SNAP Critique ✍️ Ready to get your first scene (5 pages or fewer) critiqued for FREE? Fill out the SNAP Critique Form right here!

Program Clarity Chat 💻 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat! 

Join Momentum Writing Sprints! ✍️🏃🏽‍♀️😎Come write with us for FREE every Saturday from 11 am  to 12 pm ET! 

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian NovelBy Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

14 ratings


More shows like Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,780 Listeners

The New Yorker: Fiction by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker: Fiction

3,329 Listeners

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors

994 Listeners

Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Writing Excuses

1,288 Listeners

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von by Theo Von

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

27,072 Listeners

Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

Writer's Routine

307 Listeners

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

1,430 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

766 Listeners

The Way Out Is In by Plum Village

The Way Out Is In

1,279 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

355 Listeners

The Fantasy Writing Show with Jed Herne by Jed Herne

The Fantasy Writing Show with Jed Herne

12 Listeners

The Rest Is Entertainment by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Entertainment

909 Listeners

The Plotcast: Fiction Writing & Editing Tips with Authors and Experts by Char Anna

The Plotcast: Fiction Writing & Editing Tips with Authors and Experts

8 Listeners