Ever get halfway through writing your story and realise… something’s off?
I did. I was stuck on my Gentle SciFi story (codenamed Project SS) for THREE years before Jessica Brody’s book saved me. As a result, I created the “Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel” spreadsheet to help myself, and now it may help you.
This spreadsheet isn’t just about structure. It’s about understanding the emotional logic of your story—and giving your characters room to grow in ways that resonate. Think of it as scaffolding for your imagination.
What is “Save the Cat!”?
Originally created for screenwriters by Blake Snyder, Save the Cat! is a story structure method that maps out key narrative beats in a satisfying arc. Jessica Brody adapted it for YA fiction in her book Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel, with beats tailored to the emotional intensity and character development unique to young protagonists.
Now, that system lives in spreadsheet form—designed to guide you through the 15 signature beats, plus bonus elements like genre type and character transformation.
Why Use a Spreadsheet?
Because stories get complicated, fast. A spreadsheet offers a clear way to:
- Outline your story from beginning to end
- Identify weak spots in pacing or logic
- Track character arcs across multiple acts
- Visualise your story’s internal logic with precision
The attached spreadsheet breaks the story into the 15 essential beats, from Opening Image through Final Image, along with sections for:
- Genre (such as Rites of Passage or Buddy Love)
- 10 Universal Life Lessons
- Transformation Arc
- B Story/Subplot
- Breakdowns of Acts I, II, and III
Each beat includes a short description and a word count guide based on a typical YA novel length (55,000–80,000 words), helping you stay on track without being rigid.
How to Use the Template
- Flesh out the beats. Start with loose notes in the “YOUR BEAT NOTES” column. Don’t worry about perfection—this is your sketch layer.
- Adjust for length. The word count guides in the spreadsheet help you balance pacing, especially for revisions.
- Track character arcs. Use the transformation section to clarify what your protagonist believes at the start vs. who they become.
- Connect subplot threads. The B Story section helps ensure your main and side narratives speak to each other.
- Iterate. This spreadsheet is a living document—tweak as you write, and return to it when you get stuck.
What Makes the YA Version Unique?
The YA-specific adaptation focuses on identity, emotion, and internal change. Beats like “Dark Night of the Soul” deepens into “Dark Night Epiphany” and the satisfying “Finale” is broken down into five points. This isn’t just about plot—it’s about emotional truth, which is the heart of young adult fiction.
A Whim Away’s Take
We believe in soft structures that support creativity without boxing it in. This spreadsheet isn’t about writing by numbers—it’s a gentle, practical way to give shape to your story, especially when your instincts need a little backup.
Whether you’re plotting from scratch, revising a wobbly draft, or debugging a story that lost its way, this beat sheet can help you step back, regroup, and move forward with clarity.
Ready to try it?
You can download the spreadsheet template here:
Keep going. The story you’re telling matters—and structure can help it sing.
(This blog post was drafted by ChatGPT)