The Save the Cat!® Story Suite
Story Structure Software for Novel Writing
Your digital writer’s board for shaping ideas into story—from first draft to finished manuscript
Story Suite Functionality
Create Beat Sheets
No blank page. No guesswork.
Start with your idea—then give it shape using the Save the Cat! 15 Beats.
- Clarify the key moments that move your story forward.
- Track how your characters change as the story unfolds.
- Keep your story arc clear and consistent from beginning to end.
Map Out Scene Cards on
Your Digital Writer's Board
See how every part of your story supports the whole.
- Create scene and chapter cards aligned with your beats.
- Fine-tune pacing, conflict, and story momentum.
- Drag and reorder scenes or chapters to strengthen structure.
Develop Your Characters
Craft meaningful characters that drive your story.
Strong stories move because characters move.
- Build profiles with goals, flaws, and motivations.
- Track character development across beats and scenes.
- Connect internal change directly to plot progression.
Write Your Manuscript
Build and refine your novel with clarity.
- Organize chapters and scenes in a clean, flexible editor.
- Manage multiple storylines and character arcs.
- Move seamlessly between outlining and drafting.
Adapt Your Story from Novel to Screenplay
See how it plays on screen.
- Adapt your story into industry-standard screenplay format
- Use the Beat Sheet to reshape pacing and structure
- Export to PDF, Word, and FDX-compatible files
Check Off Greenlight Checklist
Make sure your story works before calling it finished..
- Review your manuscript using the Save the Cat® checklist.
- Identify structural gaps and weak turning points.
- Confirm that character, theme, and plot work together.
Choose Your Plan
Pro
Advanced Storytelling & Series Development- All Premium Plan Features
- Franchise and Series Planning Boards
- Priority Technical Support
Premium
Real-Time Collaboration & Feedback- All Essentials Plan Features
- Real-Time Story Collaboration
- Novels by Chapter
Essentials
Story Structure & Writing for Individual Projects- 15-Beat Story Map
- Digital Story Board
- Character and Relationship Trackers
Pro
The Hired Gun- All Premium plan features
- Franchise and Series Planning Boards
- Priority Technical Support
Premium
The Experienced Writer- All Essentials plan features
- Real-Time Story Collaboration
- Novels by Chapter
Essentials
The First-Time Writer- 15-Beat Story Map
- Digital Story Board
- Character and Relationship Trackers
Pay Once. Write Forever.
Eliminate monthly payments and own the industry-leading storytelling suite for good. Enjoy all the benefits of the Pro Plan without any recurring fees.
Access to all Pro features including Franchise & Series Planning, Real-Time Collaboration, and Novels by Chapter, plus:
- All Pro plan features included
- One-time payment, no monthly fees
- Franchise & Series Planning Boards
- Free future updates forever
- Unlimited scripts and projects
- VIP Priority Technical Support
- Real-Time Story Collaboration
- Export to Final Draft & PDF
30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Compare Plans
Feature Comparison
Annual
Quarterly
23 % off
Essentials
Story Structure & Writing for Individual Projects
$7.42 per month
$89 billed annually
15-Beat Story Map
Follow the proven Save the Cat! story beats to map your narrative arc
Save the Cat! Writing Prompts
Digital Story Board
Organize scenes, visualize structure, and rearrange beats effortlessly
Character and Relationship Trackers
Build emotionally resonant character arcs
Scene Card Editor
Instant access to Characters, Locations, and the essential elements of your screenplay and novel
Emotion Tracking
Track emotions of each scene or chapter
Script and Manuscript Formatting
for your screenplay and novel
Multi-Project Dashboard
Work on multiple stories across genres or formats
Web-Based
Use on PC or Mac computers, iOS phones and tablets, and Android phones and tablets – no extra charge for mobile devices
Your Work Syncs Automatically
Up-to-date on all your devices when you’re online, instantly accessible
Work Offline
Your content will sync once you reconnect to the internet
Software That Never Goes Out of Date
All subscribers receive automatic updates at no additional cost
Real-Time Story Collaboration and Versioning
Writing with a partner has never been easier and more secure
Novels by Chapter
Easily swap from beat sheet to chapter
Franchise and Series Planning Boards
Manage sequels or story universes with continuity
Early Access
Try first all new features
Priority Technical Support
Fast and deliberative to address any challenge
Feature Comparison
Annual
Quarterly
23 % off
How to Get Started
With built-in writing prompts and Beat Sheets, the Save the Cat! Story Suite helps you plan and write your novel beat by beat—so your story builds, holds together, and
delivers a satisfying transformation.
You’re Not Just Writing.
You’re Becoming a Better Storyteller.
The Save the Cat! Story Suite helps you understand how stories work while guiding you through each beat, emotional shift, and narrative breakthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions for Novel Writing
What is the best way to structure a novel?
A novel is structured around key turning points that guide the reader through the story. In Save the Cat!, these are mapped across 15 beats that track plot, pacing, and character transformation from beginning to end.
Can I use Save the Cat! to write a novel?
Yes. Save the Cat! was adapted for novelists in Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. It applies the same 15-beat framework to fiction, helping writers structure chapters, develop character arcs, and maintain pacing.
Do I need to outline my novel before writing?
You don’t have to. Some writers map their beats before drafting, while others write first and then use the beats to organize scenes, adjust structure, and strengthen the story.
How do I organize chapters in a novel?
Chapters should align with key story beats and turning points. Each chapter should introduce conflict, reveal new information, or shift the protagonist’s situation to move the story forward.
What makes a novel work?
A novel works when the story builds toward meaningful change. In Save the Cat!, the Midpoint shifts the story, All Is Lost creates a true low point, and the Finale delivers transformation.
Can I write multiple storylines in Story Suite?
Yes. Story Suite allows you to track multiple plotlines and character arcs, helping you organize complex narratives and keep everything aligned.
How does Story Suite help with pacing?
By organizing your story into beats and scenes, Story Suite helps you see where the story slows down, where stakes need to rise, and where turning points should land.
Is this software good for first-time novelists?
Yes. Story Suite gives first-time writers a clear framework for structuring a novel, while still allowing flexibility in how they develop their story.
Can I use Story Suite for series or trilogies?
Yes. Story Suite supports multiple projects and can be used to plan individual novels or larger story arcs across a series.
How do I know if my novel is ready?
A novel is ready when the structure holds together, the character arc is clear, and the story builds to a satisfying conclusion. The Greenlight Checklist helps you test these elements before finalizing your draft.