Save the Cat method of screenwriting introduced a different way of looking at story genres.
Jessica Brody, a successful novelist, wrote a book on how to use Save the Cat techniques to write a novel.
My favorite genre is Dude With a Problem. In this genre, an innocent hero is faced with a life or death battle. Jessica provides three rules for Dude With a Problem:
- An innocent hero
- A sudden event
- A life or death battle
Here’s an example from the Martian of a life or death battle. If Mark Watney doesn’t get off Mars, he dies.
If you like learning how to create great stories, then Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is an excellent read.