Writing vs Reading Short Fiction

Through this experience, I found that though the processes of writing about fiction and writing fiction are informed by one another, they are very different processes. When I was analyzing “No Sweetness Here” I investigated the story through a postcolonial lens and searched for evidence to support my reading. It was a very structured process and the background I have gained as a literature major has made it easy and enjoyable for me to analyze the piece. Writing fiction was a very different experience for me, though. Even with the very specific prompt, creative writing, for me, is less of a structured process. There are such minimum restrictions that I found it difficult to get started. One way that reading short fiction informed my own fiction writing was by serving as a reminder of the elements of fiction that are important in the creation of effective characters, plot, and theme within a short span of the story. When reading “No Sweetness Here” I noticed that though Aidoo did not go into great detail physically describing her characters, she gave enough about them to serve her message. I also saw that she used her story to deliver an important message and thought I would try to do the same thing. For my future teaching, I would love to spend more time than usual giving students creative outlets for writing. Formal writing is important, but creative writing does allow students to understand all the elements that are at work in the telling of a story.