THE NOVEL-WRITING BEAT SHEET WORKSHOP
Author and instructor Jessica Brody
“This workshop was exactly what I hoped it would be — it solved some huge writerly issues and provided hands-on work in the Save the Cat! process with concrete feedback. I feel as if I’ve been given super powers. Above and beyond, Jessica is a superb teacher. She was gracious, taught clearly and with humor, built the team, and generously responded to specific manuscript questions. I’m heartily recommending the workshop to colleagues.”
– Michelle Knowlden, co-author of Unstrung with Neil Shusterman (Simon and Schuster)
“I just want to thank you again, Jessica, for a fantastic weekend. You’re a great teacher. I’ve mentioned Save the Cat! on my blog already and I’ll be talking about it to other writers and encouraging them to give it a try so all won’t be lost and there can be less dark nights of the soul while writing. The workshop was terrific and I’m once again enthusiastic about my novel and now I have tools(!) to get it done!”
– Debra Young, author of Grave Shadows
“Just attended the STC! novel workshop. What a fantastic presentation! Pure gold. Jessica was great, the seminar was five star, and the facilities were excellent. I’m sitting here now going to work and processing my notes. I still have a buzz on. Thanks.”
– John Roane
“The novel-writing workshop was great. I thought that Jessica did a wonderful job of moderating the class and providing all of us with insights that were invaluable. She kept us on track and we covered an enormous amount of information in a short period of time. It was nice that Jessica has used this system for several books and could demonstrate her ability to not only know how to use the system, but explain how it has been successful for her. The focus group format was very helpful and everyone added value to the conversations. Thank you for the opportunity to attend the class. It was as good, if not better, than what I had anticipated.”
– Professor Steven Moff
Learn how the Save the Cat! screenwriting Beat Sheet can be applied successfully to fiction. Join Jessica Brody, who has sold 8 novels using the Beat Sheet, in this intensive workshop.
Over the course of a weekend, you will:
- Learn the difference between a pitch and a logline, and why you must nail each one before approaching agents or publishers with your novel.
- Lock down your logline to give your story a straight spine.
- Learn the 15 key beats found in any story to make yours resonate with what is “primal.”
- Crack the “Magical Midpoint” — the secret of every story’s power.
- Find out why the Opening Image and the Final Image are your way to “doublecheck the math” of a hero’s transformation.
- Practice your pitch and improve your technique in front of a friendly group of fellow writers eager to help you succeed.
- Network with other writers.
The Workshop Schedule
Day One
- Find your story according to Blake’s four elements of every successful logline.
- Crack your story and your hero’s transformation with the Opening Image, Midpoint, and Final Image.
Day Two
- “Beat out” the remaining beats of your story using the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (the BS2) .
- Pitch your story to the class using the 15 key beats every successful novel must have.
Check the calendar for the latest Beat Sheet Workshop schedule.
Enrollment includes a copy of Jessica’s 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, along with a $20 discount on Blake’s Story Structure Software.
Please contact Rich Kaplan at rich@blakesnyder.com.
