Jamie Nash's "Save the Cat! Writes for TV
- marthaengber
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 6
While writing our pilot for THE RECORD SHOP (coming 2026, Knight Studios), a sci-fi thriller, my writing team and I were referred to the SAVE THE CAT! book by Blake Snyder, a successful screenwriter made famous for his “beat sheet” that gives a step-by-step layout for a movie’s structure.
Fortunately, the book was adapted for TV episodes by screenwriter Jamie Nash’s in his book, SAVE THE CAT! WRITES FOR TV: The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You’ll Ever Need.
Jamie takes writers through the entire process of writing for TV: choosing a format for the story; determining the destination platform and audience; creating a world; writing characters viewers will love (must have flaws, wants and needs); and what themes are important to you, the writer. Then Jamie gets into the nitty-gritty of applying Blake Snyder’s principles for structuring an episode.
If you’re a newish TV screenwriter, this book is a great resource. If you’re a fan of great TV series, the book will help you see why you love a certain story so much.
PS If you want a shortcut, the Save the Cat! website offers software to help you structure your story; other books in the series; and classes and coaching that includes novel writing.
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SCATTERED LIGHT, a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT (Nov. 2025)
THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD a historical novel
BLISS ROAD, a memoir
WINTER LIGHT, a novel, in paperback and audiobook
THE WIND THIEF, a novel
GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS, a resource for writers
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