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I was chatting with some fellow authors on Facebook (which I tend to avoid because I Tweet so often), when I noticed a post sharing “7 point short story structure.”

I started commenting how much I liked it as a tool for teaching craft to writers (even novelists) when I took a second look. I thought, “Is there really a difference between a ‘situation’ and a ‘problem/'” I recalled that when my first wife signed me up for Amway (and dragged me to their rallies), the speakers exhorted us, “Stop thinking of problems. All you have is a situation.”

Yep, I thought, it should be “6 Point Structure.” Then I noticed that the authors changed subject tense between Steps 1 and 2. Suddenly authors are working with two characters instead of one (perhaps the second character is the problem). Then I noticed that, technically, a comma belonged after the dependent clause in Step 6.

I decided to redo the poster with editor’s notes.

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I still love this poster for explaining story structure to new writers. But I couldn’t resist my editor’s glance too.

I’m not trying to belittle the poster or its authors. I like the poster. It’s instructive. It instructs writers not only in story structure but the need to proofread. Why, because others might not be so kind as me. I could see a writer posting this on Facebook for laughs, or criticize the authors.

Hopefully, the authors still have the original Photoshop file.

I looked them up on Facebook and the first post I found said: “Don’t be discouraged if you have lots of spelling and grammar errors or write poorly at first. With the help of Google, friends and family, fellow writers, and professional editors, you can improve your writing.”

My answer to that is, “yes and no.” I’ve seen writers improve their writing but too many assume family and friends will correct their syntax and grammar correctly. Sorry, proofreading and editing skills require practice and training. Years of practice and training. Spell check isn’t good enough.

I admit I could proofread this blog more closely. However, a blog post is a transitory event. We drop by, read the post and perhaps even leave a comment. Stories and books, especially those intended for print, are permanent documents. We want them to signify who we are as thinkers and writers.

I could proofread this blog more closely, but a blog post is transitory. Stories and books are permanent documents. We want them to signify who we are as thinkers and writers.

Unless you have a professional proofreader friend who will look your stories over for free, you need to hire and proofreader and editor. “But that costs money and I write to make money” you’re probably thinking. Think how much money you will lose when editor after editor rejects your stories, or you rack up a dozen Amazon reviews criticizing the sloppy editing in your indie novel. 1

Even as I write this I know that only experienced writers will read this and say, “No kidding. You hit the nail on the head.” My friend, the late artist Don Snell, once told me when we were discussing children, “You can’t pass on wisdom.”

I’ve never met a new writer who heeded this advice until their mistakes burned them badly. I can only hope you will be the exception that tests the rule.2

P.S. Truthfully, I often leave out commas after dependent clauses when the meaning is clear. In this case, however, I felt the comma belonged. Then as I started typing this blog, Grammerly informed me that the title “7 point short story structure” should be ‘7 points.” Sorry, Grammerly, I have to argue on that one. (This is why you want to hire a real person who can look it up if they don’t already know.)

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Phillip T. Stephens is the author of Cigerets, Guns & Beer, Raising Hell and the new release Seeing Jesus. You can follow him @stephens_pt.

1I really don’t have the heart to point out that if you’re in this to make money, wise up. Most writers will keep their daytime jobs until they retire. And my writing friends who made it still hustle their books (and posters, bookmarks and any other “collectables” they can tie to their books).back
2This is the real meaning of the old adage, “The exception that proves the rule.” In it’s original usage the word “prove” was taken to mean “test” or “challenge” to see if it still holds up.back


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