The Save the Cat!® Story Suite
Story Structure Software for Screenwriting
Your digital writer’s board for shaping ideas
into story—from first draft to finished script
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 hero changes 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 scene supports the whole.
- Create scene cards aligned with your beats.
- Fine-tune conflict, pacing, and momentum.
- Drag and reorder scenes to adjust structure.
Develop Your Characters
Build characters that drive the story.
Strong stories move because characters move.
- Create profiles with goals, flaws, and motivations.
- Track character arcs across beats and scenes.
- Connect character change directly to plot progression.
Format Your Script
Write in clean, industry-standard screenplay format.
- Formats automatically as you type.
- Structure your draft with integrated Beat Sheet prompts.
- Export to PDF, Word, and FDX-compatible files.
Adapt Your Screenplay into a Novel
See how your story works on the page.
- Adapt your script into a manuscript format.
- Expand scenes into chapters and narrative prose.
- Use the Beat Sheet to deepen character and pacing.
Check Off Greenlight Checklist
Make sure your story works before calling it finished
- Review your script using the Save the Cat! checklist.
- Identify structural gaps and weak turning points.
- Confirm 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, the Save the Cat! Story Suite helps you plan your screenplay or TV pilot beat by beat—so your story builds, holds together, and lands.
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 Screenwriting
What is the best way to structure a screenplay?
A screenplay is structured around key turning points that guide the audience through the story. In Save the Cat!, this is mapped across 15 beats that track plot, pacing, and character transformation from beginning to end.
What is Save the Cat! in screenwriting?
Save the Cat! is a storytelling framework created by screenwriter Blake Snyder. It breaks story into 15 beats that help writers structure their screenplay, track character change, and understand what makes a story work before writing a full draft.
Do I need to outline my screenplay 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 script.
What makes a screenplay work?
A screenplay works when structure, character, and stakes are aligned—and when the story tracks clear change. In Save the Cat!, the Midpoint shifts the story, All Is Lost creates a true low point, and the Finale delivers transformation.
How do I fix a slow middle in my screenplay?
A slow middle usually means the story isn’t escalating. In Save the Cat!, the middle is driven by key beats: the Midpoint delivers a false victory or false defeat, Bad Guys Close In increases pressure, and a ticking clock creates urgency. When these elements work, the story builds momentum.
How long should a screenplay be?
Most feature screenplays run between 90 and 120 pages. Because one page equals roughly one minute of screen time, pacing and structure are just as important as length.
Can beginners learn screenwriting structure?
Yes. Structure is a skill. Once you understand how the beats work and how a character changes across them, you can apply that framework to any idea.
Can I use Story Suite for TV pilots?
Yes. Story Suite can be used to structure TV pilots, episodic stories, and series arcs using the same beat-driven approach.
Can I turn my screenplay into a novel?
Yes. Story Suite allows you to adapt your screenplay into a manuscript, expanding scenes into chapters and deepening character and narrative detail.
How do I know if my screenplay is ready?
A screenplay 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 submission.