Save the Cat!

While the title of this post may be misleading, there is saving involved just not a cat. If you have ever thought about writing a book or even a screenplay, I have some intriguing information to share with you today.

As part of the WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR for Save the Cat! Structure Software & Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody I had the opportunity to review either or both the book and the software. I selected to check out the Save the Cat! Structure Software

Before I tell you my thoughts on the program, let me share some background on it, the book, and the author.

About Save the Cat!®

Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). The books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.

Find out more about Save the Cat! by visiting their webpage at www.savethecat.com.

About Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

Print Length: 320 Pages

Genre: Writing References

Publisher: Ten Speed Press/Random House Publishing LLC

ASIN: B078VWDNKT

ISBN-10: 0399579745

ISBN-13:978-0399579745

An Amazon #1 best seller with over 500 reviews, it’s the first novel-writing guide from the bestselling Save the Cat! story-structure series, reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.

In this revolutionary novel-writing guide from the bestselling Save the Cat! series, novelist Jessica Brody demystifies each beat, making it simple to learn the complexities of storytelling. The bestseller also reveals the ten universal story genres to help you drill down into what makes your type of story work.

Featuring sample “beat sheets” for hits from the likes of J. K. Rowling, Khaled Hosseini, and Stephen King, this practical guide also includes real-world advice on pitching your novel, plus the quirky, original insights (like the eponymous tip to “Save the Cat”) that make this series unique. By the end of this book, your own imaginative beats will combine to create a story that thrills readers from start to finish.

Save the Cat! Writes the Novel is available as a print and eBook at Amazon.com and Barnesand Noble.

About the Save the Cat Structure Software

Save the Cat! Story Structure Software is adapted from the Save the Cat! methodology to help screenwriters and novelists unlock the fundamentals of plot and character transformation. The Story Structure Software is a virtual writer board with digital index cards to help map out your story against the 15 beats or plot points to your story. The software enables writers to track emotional shifts of characters from scene to scene, develop profiles and edit and version your story with ease.

You can purchase a subscription to the Save the Cat! Structure Software at Savethe Cat's website.

About the Author, Jessica Brody

Jessica Brody worked for MGM Studios as manager of acquisitions and business development before becoming an internationally best-selling author of more than fifteen novels for adults and teens including The Geography of Lost Things, The Chaos of Standing Still, A Week of Mondays, and Better You Than Me. She travels the country teaching Save the Cat! workshops to novelists.

Now my thoughts ……

While I compiled the information for the book I co-authored, I have never sat down to write a book from my imagination even though I’ve toyed with the notion from time to time. For that reason, I don’t consider myself a writer, but decided I would give the software a try to see if it could help me.

Being a novice at writing a book, I found the program needed to be experimented with a bit to get the feel of it and how best to make it work for me. There’s a helpful tutorial to assist with any points you’re not sure of. The program is one I can see being very beneficial to writers, especially those needing to be better organized.

It’s a great way to also jot down notes you want to incorporate in your story later. Using the program you don’t have to remember what you did with the sticky note you wrote last week that had the perfect description of your MC’s favorite getaway – you just pull up the digital index card.

There are prompts to help with all elements of your story and don’t worry if your story turns into a series, the program can help with that too. Also, if you have an idea you’re not sure you’re going to use but don’t want to delete it, just put it in the “litter box” and come back to it later.

If this program can help me, I’m sure it can help you get those thoughts out of your head and down in print. The software is a great help in putting the elements of your story together smoothly.

The tour began @ The Muffin, where you can find the complete tour dates and blogs.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have you tried the Save the Cat! Software or read the book? Tell us your thoughts on the pros and cons you found.

The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later

It is my pleasure to welcome Author Barbara Barth to Thoughts in Progress today as part of her WOW! Women on Writing Tour for her book, THE UNFAITHFUL WIDOW TEN YEARS LATER.

Please join me as Barbara stops by to talk about her book and about starting a writing group. First, let me tell you about her delightful book.

Picking up where The Unfaithful Widow ended, Ten Years Later continues the author’s journey from widow to a slightly askew woman. A memoir written with warmth and candor on being single again, aging, and finding a creative path surrounded by dogs, friends, laughter, and a bit of craziness.

Barbara Barth shares stories on the adventures that followed her first year alone as she moved headfirst into a new life, listening to her heart, sometimes not so wisely, but always full speed ahead. Join her on the ride of her life, from owning an antique shop to moving to a Victorian cottage outside of Atlanta, and all the follies in between.

Going into the next decade with six dogs by her side, the author proves you are only as old as you feel, and happiness begins with a grateful heart. A funny and engaging memoir for anyone who wants to be their own superhero facing life’s good and bad moments.

* Print Length: 374 pages

* Genre: Memoir

* Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, LLC

* ASIN: B07YBNHXZG

The Unfaithful widow Ten Years Later is available in print and as an eBook at Amazon.com

Now join me in welcoming Barbara as she talks about starting a writing group. Welcome, Barbara.

One of my favorite things to do is to put people together with common interests. I’ve started social groups for dinners out, book clubs, and two writing groups over the past ten years. It’s good for me, keeps me busy and meeting new people, and great for others who are looking for kindred spirits.

    When I had my shop in Old Town, Lilburn, in 2011, I immediately started the Gwinnett County Writers Group. While the purpose of The Little Shop of Arts and Antiques was to sell antiques and gift items, I had discovered writing and published my memoir The Unfaithful Widow in 2010. Instead of focusing on the business of selling, I decided to follow my heart and make the shop a place for writers and artists to gather. We had local author book signings and a few writing classes. The next step was to start a writer’s group.

    A fantastic tool to help kick-start any group is Meetup.com (https://www.meetup.com/). I joined the online site and paid to become an organizer, so I could set up a page and post all our meetings and events. The grand thing about the site if you’re not familiar with it, people join for free, pick out the things they are interested in within a certain mile radius, and locate groups that are exactly what they are searching for. Keywords help, too.  I put up every writing term I could think of in the space allowed. Then I waited. There was interest and we had our first meeting.

      While I’m full of knowledge about writing, learning from the hit and miss self-taught technique, I wanted a more experienced writer to plan and run the meetings. This was not about me, but about helping others learn how to write. A local Steampunk author came by my shop and the rest was magic. She spearheaded the programs and I did the advertising and press. Our meetings were held in my shop space, but when I closed the shop’s doors permanently, our meetings moved to a local pizza restaurant. My favorite combination, pizza and writing.

     As with most everything I do, I did not charge a membership fee to join. My thought process was simple. This was a new adventure in a smaller town, and I wanted to draw people in. Initially, I wasn’t sure anyone would turn out. When I saw how nicely we were doing, I didn’t want to ask for money. A few folks kicked in to help cover my organizer fees on Meetup.

     Metro-Atlanta has many excellent writing groups, but I was not in a metro area. The great news, the folks in a few of the groups around me in Atlanta wrote about our Gwinnett County Writers and what we were accomplishing, with classes and a mini one-day conference, which helped us build our audience, too.

      My only advice for starting a writer's group is to have someone run the meetings that has more knowledge than you do. I do things my way with my writing and don’t follow traditional paths. I’m also in the learning process myself even after all these years. I wanted to offer programs that were more mainstream to give a good foundation to those wanting to learn the craft. It’s easy to find writers who want to give back by teaching others.

Barbara, thanks for stopping by to share these tips with us. Sounds like a great way to help one’s creativity.

Author Barbara Barth

For those who aren’t familiar with Barbara, here’s a bit of background on her.

Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, dog hoarder, bedazzled by life. Widowed ten years ago, Barbara writes about finding a creative path back to happiness. Her recent move to a 1906 historic cottage brought many surprises, including discovering the Monroe–Walton Center for the Arts where she started the monthly Walton Writers group and is on the MWCA Board as Literary Arts Chair.

Barbara is a contributor to Walton Living Magazine and a former blogger for The Balancing Act, Lifetime Television’s morning show for women. Currently she lives with six dogs, rescue dogs that rescued her. 

Visit her website at https://www.barbarabarthwriter.com/, follow her on Twitter @writerwithdogs, and follow her Amazon author page.

--- Blog Tour Dates

Today @ The Muffin

What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us in celebrating the launch of Barbara Barth's new book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 12th @ All Things Audry

Author Barbara Barth is a guest writer over at Audry's blog today and will be talking about women friendships.

http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com/

November 13th @ Words from the Heart

Stop by Linda's blog and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about publishing anthologies.

https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/

November 15th @ The World of My Imagination

Visit Nicole's blog and read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.

http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com

November 16th @ Lori Duff Writes

Stop by Lori's blog today where you can read her interview with Barbara Barth and read her review of Barbara's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.

https://www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/

November 16th @ Jill Sheets Blog

Visit Jill's blog today and you can read Barbara Barth's guest post about self-publishing.

https://jillsheets.blogspot.com.

November 17th @ A Storybook World

Be sure to stop by Deirdra's blog today and check out her spotlight of the book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later and enter to win a copy of the book!

http://www.astorybookworld.com

November 18th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Be sure you visit Bev's blog and read Barbara Barth's guest post about starting over at 70. You won't want to miss this!

http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

November 19th @ Look to the Western Sky

Be sure to visit Margo's blog and read her interview with author Barbara Barth. Don't miss it!

https://margoldill.com/blog

November 20th @ Anthony Avina's Blog

Make sure you visit Anthony's blog today and read Barbara Barth's guest post about publishing anthologies.

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

November 21st @ Cassandra's Writing World

Stop by Cassandra's blog today and read her review of The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!

https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/

November 22nd @ Karen Brown Tyson's Blog

Join us at Karen Brown Tyson's blog where you can read a guest post about self-publishing by author Barbara Barth. Don't miss it!

http://www.karenbrowntyson.com

November 23rd @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Visit Bev's blog again and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.

http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

November 24th @ Choices

Be sure to stop by Madeline's blog and read Barbara Barth's guest post that will be talking about women friendships.

http://madelinesharples.com/

November 25th @ Wild Woman Writer

Visit Anne's blog today and you can read Barbara Barth's blog guest post about starting over at 70.

https://wildwomanwriter2018.blogspot.com/

November 26th @ Life Like A Galaxy Girl

Stop by Alanna's blog today and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's memoir The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.

http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.com/

November 27th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

Visit Lisa's blog today and you can read her interview with author Barbara Barth and find out more about this incredible author!

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

November 28th @ Bibliotica

Stop by Melissa's blog and make sure you read Barbara Barth's guest post about grief over the years and finding happiness again.

https://www.bibliotica.com/

November 29th @ Stranded in Chaos

Visit Sara's blog and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.

https://strandupdate.blogspot.com/

November 30th @ Anthony Avina's Blog

Visit Anthony's blog again and read his review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

December 1st @ Words from the Heart

Visit Linda's blog and read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. 

https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com

December 2nd @ Women's Writing Circle

Stop by the blog Women's Writing Circle and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about adopting dogs while all her friends are having grandkids. Don't miss this one!

http://www.susanweidener.com/

Thanks for stopping by today. Are you a part of a writing group or have you thought about starting one yourself?

Do You HUG EVERYONE YOU KNOW?

If you dropped by here last month, I hope you got to know author Antoinette Truglio Martin during her WOW! Women on Writing Tour for her latest release, HUG EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

Well here’s a brief reminder of what the book is about and then the author joins us to answer some of my questions about her book and writing.

During 2017's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, She Writes Press published Antoinette Truglio Martin’s touching memoir, Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer. It is a 2017 USA Best Book Awards Finalist in Non-Fiction: Narrative and a 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Finalist: Non-Fiction Women's Issues.

In 2007, Antoinette believed her call back doctor appointment was routine, maybe a scare, nothing worse. Her shock at receiving a Stage I breast cancer diagnosis was instantly compounded by her own deep fears. As a self-described wimp—afraid of needles and uncomfortable with sedation—how was she going to get through this?

Antoinette started her fight against cancer with words. She began by journaling and by writing emails to Her Everyone—the large close-knit family and circle of beloved friends wanting to offer their support, especially those who were fighting breast cancer alongside her. The emails not only helped to keep Her Everyone informed, they gave cancer less of a presence in Antoinette’s life, since she wasn’t repeatedly updating people or saying the word “cancer” over and over. The practice of writing calmed her and also gave her space to focus on living: on the house that wasn’t selling, an exciting new job, daughters in college, and summer beach plans. She signed every email with the reminder to “hug everyone you know.”

Those emails and journal entries are at the heart of this memoir, which gives the book an immediacy and raw power.

Now join me in welcoming Antoinette back to Thoughts. Welcome, Antoinette.

What compelled you to share your writings in a book?

Antoinette

I journaled through the first year of Stage 1 breast cancer treatment in a shabby notebook. Cancer didn't deserve a pretty journal. Because it was so difficult to talk about and repeat what was going to happen and would have happened, I found that emailing my family and friends to be so much easier. I did not have to articulate or hear the cancer words. The writing also helped me see what was important and strive to be part of the story rather than a sad sidebar.

I saved the journal and emails with the plan that I could write a light, whimsical book about breast cancer. The problem was when I started to compile and begin the process; I re-lived the fear all over again. Cancer was not a whimsical journey.  So I put everything away, never wanting to face cancer again.

Almost five years after treatment, cancer did return.  I now have metastatic breast cancer—Stage IV. There is no cure. It's forever. I was really scared and so much wimpier. I dug up that shabby journal and those emails. I disregarded the idea of whimsical. I focused on being honest and included the authentic voices from the emails.

What was the most difficult and/or easiest part of putting this book together?

Antoinette

It was hard to write. I didn't want to confront that fear again especially now that it is so much more serious, and I am going to have to live with it. But it was a good exercise. I understood what I needed to do. And I have been very fortunate, so very fortunate that this new tumor was caught so early before any real damage. So far, treatment has not been debilitating nor does it intrude on every day too much. I can make the cancer a story in my life; not the story of my life.

What would you encourage people not to do or say when talking with someone who has or has had cancer?

Antoinette

No one wants to hear of an aunt, neighbor, or the supermarket cashier who had lost all of her hair, or whose husband left her, or who died from breast cancer. It is more important to be a listener. Hugs work really well, too.

What one thing do you wish people would ask you, that no one has?

Antoinette

“What do you want to do?”

What's your favorite way of relaxing?

Antoinette

I like to walk the beach, sail, and watch a sunset over a body of water.

HUG EVERYONE YOU KNOW is now available to purchase on   Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and  IndieBound.

Author Antoinette Truglio Martin

For those who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her.

Antoinette Truglio Martin is a life-long Long Islander, teacher, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer—a memoir chronicling her first-year battling breast cancer as a wimpy patient. Personal experience essays and excerpts of her memoir were published in Bridges, Visible Ink, and The Southampton Review.

Antoinette proudly received her MFA in creative writing and literature from Stony Brook/Southampton University in 2016. Antoinette had also written the children's picture book, Famous Seaweed Soup (Albert Whitman and Company), and was a regular columnist for local periodicals Parent Connections (In a Family Way) and Fire Island Tide (Beach Bumming).

Her blog, Stories Served Around The Table, tells family tales and life's musings. She lives in her hometown of Sayville, New York with her husband, Matt, and is never far from her “Everyone” and the beaches she loves. Since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2012, she strives to not let cancer to dictate her life. 

You can foll her at Facebook and her website.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you started hugging those you know?