Save the Cat Beat Sheet for Dystopian Romantasy
This is a guide to structuring a dystopian romantasy novel with Blake Snyder's Save The Cat beat sheet. This guide has been specifically adapted to help you weave together two critical narrative threads: your high-stakes dystopian plot and your romance subplot.

What is the Save The Cat Beat Sheet? π
The Save The Cat beat sheet is a 15-beat story structure developed by screenwriter Blake Snyder. It is a framework for pacing a story so the emotional beats land. Each beat occurs at a specific percentage of your story, ensuring your novel flows naturally from setup through conflict to resolution.
What's Included in This Guide?
For each of the 15 beats, you'll find:
π€ Percentage: Where this beat should occur in your manuscript
π€ Core Description: What this beat accomplishes in your story
π€ Dystopian Storytelling Tips: Specific guidance for your world-building and plot
π€ Romance Progression: Where your love story should be at this point
π€ Emotion Thesaurus: Lists of emotions appropriate for each character at this beat
π€ Show Don't Tell Examples: Side-by-side comparisons of telling vs. showing
π€ Concrete Examples: Full scenarios demonstrating the concepts in action
The Dystopian Romantasy Author Guide β¬
DISCLAIMER: All content, previews, and work-in-progress materials shared here are the exclusive intellectual property of Eve Matsdotter. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution without explicit written permission is prohibited by law and may result in legal action. We appreciate your respect for creative ownership.
Read Chapter One free. Then one email every couple of weeks.
Go To Newsletter
You will also be able to download this guide from the Toolbox I'm building. Follow me on TikTok to get updated on everything new on my website & WIP:
Until then - please enjoy this preview of the full 'Dystopian Romantasy Author Guide' based on the 'Save The Cat' beat sheet by Blake Snyder.
Check out the 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel' written by Jessica Brody on Goodreads:
The Margins
Join the conversation
No notes in the margins yet. Be the first to leave one.
Keep reading
Related entries
- Romance Craft
How to Master Romance as a Subplot in Fantasy Novels
Let's talk about adding romance to your fantasy story as a subplot. I've been experimenting with it in my current work, and it's added a lot of depth without taking away from the main quest. If you're a fantasy writer looking to add an emotional layer to your story through romantic tension, these tips can help. It's all about balance, making sure the romance enhances the adventure.
- Writing
How to Plot a Dystopian Romantasy Novel for Writers Who Hate Plotting
Let's dive into plotting a dystopian romantasy story, a mix of high-stakes worlds and heart-pounding romance. Lately, I've been struggling with my own work-in-progress, feeling overwhelmed by the structure. But breaking it down into simple steps has made it enjoyable again. If you're like me and dread traditional outlining, this method can help you too.
- Writing
Crafting Fantasy: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026 Writers
Let's explore the world of fantasy craft, where magic, adventure, and memorable characters combine to take readers on thrilling journeys. As I work on my WIP, I've discovered that breaking it down into smaller steps helps me stay focused and enthusiastic about my work. If you're an aspiring author wanting to create epic quests or magical worlds, this guide will help you turn your ideas into reality.
