Writing short fiction

Chapter 11 takes the form of an A to Z, with twenty-six short sections outlining ways of going about writing short fiction. It argues that the world doesn’t need fiction that merely passes the time and instead elaborates on aspects of critical thinking and responsibility discussed earlier in the book. There is a particular focus on death, trauma, dreams, love, humour and the unsaid. The chapter covers a wide range of ideas, forms and approaches, from Poe and Hemingway to Elizabeth Bowen, Raymond Carver and Claudia Rankine.