Unlocking Hidden Power: How Tiny Details in Form and Structure Transform Your Writing’s Impact
Creative nonfiction takes many forms, so it can be difficult to determine how to best structure our writing in ways that make memories meaningful for readers. But turning to the themes of our work can point us in the right direction. The thematic hearts of our stories are rich with possibility, and it is only natural that these themes guide our form and structure.
Examining your work for thematic possibilities begins with understanding how your writing operates beyond the story itself. Nonfiction relies not only on the story, but on a larger truth, exploration or reflection that moves the moment beyond the plot and into introspection. For example, in “Abbreviate,” I share the story of my aunt teaching me how to build small model stomp rockets, but the larger themes are about domestic violence and the extreme lengths women must take in order to escape.
