How “Save the Cat” Can Save Your Story – Part Four

• How “Save the Cat” Can Save Your Story – Part One
• How “Save the Cat” Can Save Your Story – Part Two
• How “Save the Cat” Can Save Your Story – Part Three

So, your hero has accepted the call, and the adventure is officially underway. Welcome to Act 2: the wild and crazy rollercoaster of your story! Now the real fun—or maybe the real trouble—begins. Let’s dive in!

Beat 7: B-Story

Every hero needs a sidekick, mentor, or love interest to help them navigate their new world. This supporting character might bring a different perspective to the narrative, provide comic relief, or even become an antagonist. The B-story character adds depth to your main character and creates opportunities for conflict and growth. They also provide an excellent character foil, reflecting qualities or abilities the hero needs to embrace to complete their developmental arc.

For example, Ron and Hermione are Harry’s sidekicks (Harry Potter), Peeta is Katniss’s love interest (The Hunger Games), and Bumble Bee is Seth’s mentor (Transformers).

Sometimes, the main character meets the B-story character earlier in the story, but they either aren’t close to each other, dislike one another, or aren’t active in each other’s worlds.

Beat 8: Fun and Games

Here’s where the rubber meets the road—your character grows, learns the ropes, and faces challenges. Think of Fun and Games as a series of adventures, obstacles, and triumphs where your character develops new skills and learns the rules of their upside-down world.

This setup to the midpoint is a long beat—25% of your novel. The clock stops temporarily, and the stakes take a back seat. Your main character’s problems don’t disappear, but they aren’t urgent.

In The Hunger Games, Katniss practices her weapon skills and performs for the crowd as the “Girl on Fire.” The Games haven’t started, but she tries to gain favor with the audience in hopes that they’ll send gifts to help her survive.

In Harry Potter, Harry and his friends explore the world of Hogwarts with all its funny, odd, and sometimes questionable magical features. They also attend classes where they learn to brew potions and cast spells to help them survive later in the book.

See how it works?

Beat 9: The Midpoint

The midpoint is the halfway point of your novel that sets the tone for the events to follow. This single-scene beat is the moment when your character realizes that circumstances aren’t as they seem, the stakes are raised, and things get real. Think of it as the climax of Act 2 that leads into the final push toward the climax of your story.

A literal clock or bomb is often used in this beat to trigger the reader’s sense of urgency.

Act 2 is where your story truly takes shape. It’s a playground for character development, plot twists, and world-building. Understanding these key elements will help you create a compelling story that keeps your readers hooked.

Quit thinking of the middle of your novel as the messy section because challenges and surprises make for pure awesomeness! With these plot-mapping tips, you’ll be equipped to craft a compelling and well-paced middle in no time!

Next, we’ll tackle the second half of Act 2, where everything is darkest before the dawn!

Ali Cross

Ali Cross is a USA Today bestselling author, motivational speaker, and story development coach who loves to help writers level up both professionally and personally. A happiness enthusiast and believer in hope and magic, Ali’s a sucker for underdogs, redemption stories, and happily-ever-afters. She explores the concept of joy and where it can be found in her YouTube show and podcast, Write4Joy. She lives in Utah with her hacker husband where they collaborate on stories, artificial intelligence, and their plan for virtual world domination.
Find Ali at her website or @thealicross online.