While I listen to Vivaldi's Winter for violin, maybe it would be wise to say something about the reviewer.I am very jealous of my time and most of you know why. My dragoness is never more evident than when I face useless babbling. I am very wary about things that "everybody likes". I won't read a book because everybody says it is good. I won't believe something because everybody believes it and I definitively won't do something that everybody is doing. Meaning you won't see me reading 50 Shades of Gray because everyone in town is reading it, you won't see me doing the Gangnam Style or the Harlem Shake, because its in fashion, and you won't see me worshiping anything because most people do.
In short, I have to find and believe there is a good reason why I should read, do, or believe on something. That something, whatever it is, first has to satisfy my logic, my intellect or my heart. Being as it is, I have zero tolerance when it comes to instruction (my flaw, I admit.) My disclaimer: this is the Devil's Advocate review. Proceed at your discretion.
In a world that produces How To books as a theater would produce popcorn, and where no rule is cast in stone, I've learned to be careful about what I read. There are so many contradictions that one can easily end up more confused than when he started his quest for information. After it happened to me, I like to assess (whenever possible) who is the person I'm going to take advice from.
Why was I reluctant to read Save the Cat in spite of the good reviews? Who is this Blake Snyder? The man who wrote Stop or my Mom will Shoot. Yikes! As hard core fan as I am of Sylvester Stallone, to me this movie sucked big time. Additionally, Snyder's book top line "Give me the same, only different", rang to me like bells of mediocrity. It came across as "do what sells, it matters not if it is good or not." Yikes, again. I hate mediocrity and as much as I love money, I despise the marketing idea of doing what sells, regardless if it is garbage. Last but not least, screenplay is not my business.
Why did I read it? I wanted to take part in at least one of Mike's club sessions, the book was given to me for free but first and foremost, I respect the value of experience. I may not love Snyder's work (or his idea of good comedy) but his years in the business must have taught him something useful, even for me. Besides, I read somewhere that screenplay knowledge could improve a writer's skill in good dialogue.
Experience. I suffered most of the first 118 pages. The man babbles too much for my liking. The golden pieces of advice could be summarized in fifty pages or less (and the book is overpriced).
I am an ignorant in genres. I still don't get the differences between the various genres and endless sub-genres. I know each genre has specific requirements and specific market but I still have to find the one who makes it all clear for me. Mr. Snyder felt the need to rediscover the black thread and the sacred guacamole. I mean, he created new genres that are (to my opinion) absolutely useless. I just can't imagine the face of an agent when reading in my query letter: "Title: The Path of Fire. Genre: A dude with a problem." Or where is exactly the area of "Monsters in the House" in a library? By the way, it mixes established genres. Do I need more genres to be confused about? Way to go, Mr. Snyder! Our relationship is getting smokey.
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Fair to the truth, there is good (if few) pieces of advice in those 118 pages but many times during those pages I was roaring "Get to the freaking point already!!!" Dragon Ancestors, give me patience! For a man who is supposed to teach me successful writing, Snyder does ramble a LOT.I ramble too. As a matter of fact, I have sections in this blog called disseramblings (from dissertation and rambling). But first, I don't promise to teach you the ultimate truth on anything and second, I don't charge you for reading. What you see is what you get. Now if someone sells to me the ultimate secrets of anything, he better gives me what I paid for or there will be trouble. Don't talk me senseless with the whole back story of how enlightenment was reached. Just deliver the message! If you think of it, this is just another golden rule of writing. (Readers don't care for needless back story.)
Blake Snyder finally managed to catch my full attention during Chapter Six and Seven, (a sort of consolation prize for my time). He used a couple of examples that sounded wrong to me, like referring aliens would positively prove the non-existence of God. *Glancing at the cover* What is this book about, again? Is it theology, screenplay or sophism? I am fairly good at two of them but I would rather have what I paid for. I got his point about mixed magics and I agree, but I still think the examples were bad, to say it nicely.
Conclusion. There was absolutely nothing in Save the Cat that I had not read before (for free) in priceless sites like Moody Writing, Helping Writers to Become Authors, The Bookshelf Muse, and Writability. And in my very personal opinion, any of them convey the message in a far more effective and concise writing than Blake Snyder. Actually, Mooderino's humor does make me laugh. Snyder's just get on my wrong side. Snyder's "centuries-distilled wisdom" can be summarized in three pages and if you've been around, you'll find you already knew at least one of those pages.
If I could go back in time, I would rather use my gift card to get other books I so much want to read like Alex Cavanaugh's or Cherie Reich's.
Final Note. Keep in mind this is only a fire dragon's opinion. I am extraordinary stern and demanding when it comes to education I pay for, and even more if the promise of "ultimate knowledge" is involved (Title reads "The last book on screenwriting you'll ever need".) I also state my qualifications as screenwriter are Official Ignorant and the value of my opinion about this book is only equal to my qualifications.
Cat gut your tongue, huh, Al?
ReplyDeleteWe agree the advice is available elsewhere. Shoot, most worthwhile writing advice of the seek-and-ye-shall ilk is out there.
But we thought Cat was succinctly packaged and entertainingly delivered. Certainly less anecdotal and more informative than Goldman's "Adventures in the Screen Trade."
We did think it ironic that he captured his "story" in 118 pp -- about the same length as a screenplay script.
(We have to admit we kinda like your curmudgeonly voice and the moxy of your opinions -- even if we beg to differ. Yeah, we'll stop by again.)
Hi, I think so yeah, hahaha. I'm not always like this but I guess Snyder is not my kind of author. In any case, I'm aware what works for some may not work for others. That's why there are various authors for the various needs. Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteI like to remember the times where I absolutely switched my opinion of something, from hating it one minute to loving it the next...And sometimes that just doesn't end up happening.
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, Tony, I think there was a flash of liking during my reading. Never love, but Chapter Six and Seven got an okay from me.
DeleteI'm a fan of Moody and his blog site. He is an endless source of information on the craft. If anyone should write a how to book, it's Moody. I'll have to check out the other sites you mentioned. Thanks for your candidness Father Dragon. I have the book but haven't gotten to it yet. Now I know what parts I can skip to. (;
ReplyDeleteHahaha, thanks for your vote of confidence, but don't be biased by my opinion, Elise. I would say give Mr. Snyder the chance to sweet talk you into his fans. :D
DeleteI haven't read this one. I agree with you though - If I'm going to spend my time reading about writing, I want it to be good. If it professes it will teach me something, I want it to be more than just the obvious. Love the term "disseramblings." ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's precisely what I meant by saying I'm demanding. Thank you, Kimberly.
DeleteWell thanks, Al!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy it and got a lot out of the book. Anymore, a lot of that kind of advice is available for free online. I think it was the fifteen beats that made it all worthwhile for me.
Chapter Six and Seven, hahaha. Yeah, my consolation prize.
DeleteI checked this book out of the library months ago after a revision group I was involved in talked about where their "beats" were in the book, the use of the cards, and basically talked about it like the Holy Grail. After reading it, I can see how the direct and specific advice in it could be applied quite nicely to a successful, readable, marketable book that keeps an audience engaged. If I ever work on another novel, I will definitely purchase this book and refer to it more specifically. For me, it was such an "ah haaa" type of read.
ReplyDeleteDuring the time I spent reading it, there was a thought that assaulted me several times. What would happen if instead of reading this book by myself, I would be reading it in a class with someone who is actually savvy in screenplay and writing? Probably I would win more out of the book than I am doing now. Probably. Discussion leads to unraveling of truths that you don't get in inner monologues. That's for sure.
DeleteOh, come on, how fun would it be to see a dragon do some Harlem Shakin' or a little Ganghan Style? LOL
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said in this post. I can't tell you how many women told me I "just had to read 50 Shades". GAH! Despite the glowing recommendations, I knew I was going to hate it. Sometimes, my stubborn streak will kick in and I am put off reading something indefinitely, just because everyone else is buzzing about it :)
Well, yes, I think it would be fun too. Hahaha, at least in my head.
DeleteStubborn? Why, no! Fire dragons are no way stubborn, no no no. And no way I'm thinking different, hahaha. ;)
i can see your points. as a newer writer, i learned a lot and i also enjoyed his rambling... good devils advocate review =)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tara. I let some months pass and make the angel's review hahaha, just for variety.
DeleteI think that was a very honest, and comforting review. I'm currently reading it and truth be told, it was giving me more insecurities than feelings of power. I keep thinking I need to take notes because my brain is not incorporating the information very well. But there are many gems of wisdom in there, so I consider it time and money well spent.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way, Al. If -everyone- is raving about something, I tend to stay away. I chalk it up to a rebellious streak, deep down in my subconscious :)
ReplyDeleteRebellious streak, yeah, I have plenty of that too and a bit more to the surface. But you know what? It's also a bit of Machiavelli's thinking. Both he and Napoleon pointed out to the danger (or advantage, depending on the case) of going with the crowd.
DeleteAww! Thanks, Al! And thank you for the review! Save the Cat is one of those books I've considered reading but haven't. It might be a library read instead of a purchase, if I ever get to it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you did read the rest of my "SS Argonaut" story. Well, you commented on it. Here's the link to Part III, if you want to remind yourself: http://cheriereich.blogspot.com/2013/03/friday-flash-part-iii-ss-argonaut.html.
Awww, that was the end? I was wanting more. You are a tease, hahaha.
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ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your post, after I stopped with the side-splitting laughter over the title. xD
ReplyDeleteAl, you're a total hoot.
I agree Blake is wordy (and I'm a 'just the facts, ma'am' person like you), but the beat sheet and a few other tidbits were worth the read for me. I'm glad I read STC.
Good points. I'm also of the idea, take what is good, dispose the rest. And that's what I'll do with the cat. :D
DeleteThe funny thing is, I loved this book, and I still enjoyed your "anti" post.
ReplyDeleteI get it. I put off reading this book for at least three years, and I think it may have just hit me at the right time.
I've read a lot of the same info in different places, but for some reason Snyder's take on loglines, and his beat sheet really took all those already read ideas and settled them into something I think I can remember.
Save the Cat actually felt like a much more concise version of The Writer's Journey, which is based on Campbell's Hero's Journey and discusses archetypes. If you don't like Save the Cat, you might want to consider The Writer's Journey a library-only kind of read . . . or maybe you would like The Writer's Journey more, because it gets detailed about the "why" of the story arc and the archetype stuff.
Like you, I didn't agree with Snyder's take on the aliens and God in Signs. I felt he was missing the whole inner and outer conflict of the main character.
Anyway . . .thanks for the thoughtful review. :)
Three years? Hmmm. Well, you have a point there in that information usually arrives at the right time. It is possible this is not the perfect timing for the dragon to read this book. Highly possible actually. I'll let it rest and give it a second shot later in my career. They say when the student is ready, the teacher appears (or the information in this case.) Thanks for your insight. :)
DeleteA quite entertaining and detailed review. Your frustration and mere suffering came through. You sound so similar to how I felt listening to Stephen King's It - this was after years of, and finally giving up, trying to read the overly told backstory and boring story. Oh, I know many people loved it, but I hated it and only forced myself to listen to it all the way. Shoot, it was on audiobook, the only way I could force myself to complete it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I totally understand your tone in this review. Kudos to you for completing it. Granted it was much shorter than It, but kudos nonetheless.
Thank you, Nancy. Yes, it comes down to pretty much preferences. This was not my type. Probably if someone else said it and reworded it, the message would be more successful to me. Then again with art, everything is subjective. :)
DeleteHi, Al--
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and your post/review was spot-on about Save The Cat. And like you, my time is valuable so to read a book like this one where the author took forever to get to a point irritated. Fact is, (and others pointed this out too) everything he said in the book, and which you also pointed out, is information that could be had elsewhere from "professionals" who can teach, not preach. I know. I'm jaded--I've read some 400 how-to write fiction books including ones on screenplays (and lost track of how many online sites offer the same advice).
However, Snyder did, in his introduction mention better books on story craft and screenwriting (and I've read them all). And, I, too, wish I had gotten a copy of Snyder's book from the library instead of spending money purchasing it (I'm still not sure what possessed me to buy it--especially since my credo is "get it from the library" and then decide to buy and keep the book!").
Okay, hindsight being what it is, I also should have known something was amiss after reading the introduction. Snyder mentioned in that introduction that he wished for a screenwriting book that "talks the way we talk" -- the "we" being screenwriters, not regular folks or fiction writers who the book would also be marketed to. Snyder even said he wanted a book that used the "shorthand that screenwriters and movie executives use." Excuse me, I was a secretary and I did take shorthand, but as I transcribed the boss's words, I cleaned up the vocabulary and made him look professional. Some "professional" would have helped Save the Cat. :)
Indeed there was a warning in his introduction and right from there I think I lost heart. Right then I knew it was not going to be an easy ready for me, at all. Ironically, curiosity killed the cat, or in this case, the dragon's patience.
DeleteI think his intention was to make the book like a friendly chat in a classroom or something alike. I know many found it entertaining. It obviously didn't work for me. I don't know if I will be up for yet another screenplay book. I will certainly keep trying to improve my skills but not from screenwriters, at least for a while.
If you decide to wade into the swamp of screenwriting books again, try Robert McKee's "Story." I gained insights from it and had my own suspicions confirmed because he spoke plainly and provided reasonings with his opinions. And what could beat his opening page's: Story is about principles, not rules. And then following that with: Story is about eternal, universal forms, not formulas. I might not give this book a 5 star review but I'd give it a 4.8. (That's because I rarely find a 5-star or is it that 5 stars has to wow me! LOL).
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