Episode 213 - Save the cat plotting.

About this episode

This episode discusses the 'save the cat' technique for character development and features insights from best seller Lawrence Block on improving fiction writing skills.

How can we get readers to admire and respect our hero, maybe even to fall in love with him? Our hero can save the cat. Here is how the screenwriters' save the cat technique can apply to our novels. Also, best seller Lawrence Block on how we can use our pleasure reading to improve our fiction writing skills. Support the show Buy the master class.

People in this episode

Host: James Thayer

Topics covered

• plotting
• character development
• writing techniques
• fiction writing
• reader engagement

Keywords

• save the cat
• plotting
• fiction writing
• character development
• Lawrence Block

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Save the cat

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• Episode 218 - Our writer's voice. · May 22, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode 217 - Why and how to practice. And Edgar Alan Poe. · May 15, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode 216 - Too many characters is a scene. · May 8, 2026 · 27 min