About this tool
Structure saves drafts from sagging middles. This free three-act beat sheet lists Save-the-Cat style story beats with percentage targets and estimated word counts based on your novel length — plus note fields for each beat you can copy when done.
Lock story beats before you spend tokens on prose
A beat sheet keeps Easy Mode and chapter generation honest: every scene earns its place. Draft the emotional turns first, then expand into chapter goals so the model follows a spine instead of improvising filler.
Chapter planner · AI outline generator · Write a book with AI
How to use it
- Set your target word count at the top.
- Fill in what happens at each story beat.
- Use word targets to pace your outline.
- Click Copy beat sheet to export your notes.
- Adjust beats to fit your genre structure.
Tips for fiction authors
- The midpoint beat (around 50%) should be a false victory or false defeat that shifts the story direction. If your midpoint feels flat, your second half will sag.
- Use the "All Is Lost" beat to take something real from your protagonist — not just a setback, but a genuine loss that raises the stakes.
- You can combine or skip beats. The beat sheet is a diagnostic framework, not a formula. Some genres merge the catalyst and debate.
- Fill in the theme stated beat last. Your theme often clarifies after you know your climax and what the protagonist learns.
Common questions
Is this the official Save the Cat beat sheet?
It follows the common Save-the-Cat beat percentages used by many novelists — adapted as a free fillable worksheet.
Are my notes saved?
Notes stay in the page until you refresh. Copy them to your outline doc for permanent storage.
Does word count per beat update automatically?
Yes. Change the target word count and beat word estimates recalculate.