Link to story:
My Analysis:
For this analysis, I chose a piece entitled “Screaming Mornings: Living with Autism.” I found this story on the Internet when I searched for creative non-fiction essays. Written by Leslie Bonner, it was published in the online literary magazine Literary Mama, whose core audience is, well, mothers. Also referred to as an E-Zine, this publication caters specifically to creative non-fiction written by mothers and the “maternally inclined.”
According to the characteristics found on Wikipedia, pieces of creative non-fiction differ themselves from other types of non-fiction, such as technical writing, in that they contain accurate facts while the story reads as a piece of fiction. This story includes both of those elements. It is written as any fictitious short story might be written, but the information in the story is true and factual. Wikipedia goes on to say that this subject matter is something that can be verified as existing in the natural world. However, I believe this is a bit too vague because even events written about in pure fiction stories can happen in the natural world. Therefore, in the creative non-fiction realm, the subject matter is that which has been experienced first hand by the author. And, the creative non-fiction pieces recount a specific event in the author’s life.
Bonner’s subject matter comes from her everyday life and experiences and is not something that she, as the writer, made up in her mind. A blurb ran in the magazine, before the piece itself actually begins stating that this story is a “snapshot of a typical morning” for the author. Thus, it is something she experienced, not an event she created. This characteristic is one that, as Wikipedia suggests, distinguishes creative non-fiction from regular fiction and other types of writing.
Wikipedia states that in creative non-fiction, “the narrative form and structure disclose the writer’s artistry." In regards to literary style and technique, the story is beautifully written. Bonner uses an interesting tense and tone that sets it apart from other pieces of creative writing. The reflective, thoughtful tone is strong throughout the length of the story. There is an almost a haunting, surreal feeling throughout the work as she only uses simple nouns and pronouns, such as “I,” “you.” and “Daddy.” I think that when you are reading this piece, you can tell that the author has really experienced these crazy, intense mornings with her husband and son. It is as if the story was written with Bonner speaking to her son. To me, it almost feels like a memoir, like it could be a part of a larger work.
Bonner also uses very little dialogue, except to emphasize the emotions felt by herself and her son. Also, I think the lack of dialogue was used to emphasize, perhaps symbolize, the lack of communication she has (or had) with her son and possibly with her husband. In longer pieces of fiction or creative non-fiction, this technique could be a very dangerous one. This is because most audiences, or readers, expect a story to be told, and for dialogue to occur between the characters. However, there are certain situations where this is acceptable as long as the author can keep the readers engaged. Bonner does this with ease. She grabs you attention with two simple, yet intense sentences in the first paragraph. And Bonner holds your attention throughout with her delicate imagery that paints a picture dripping with many different emotions such as despair, guilt, anger and resentment. All in all, her lack of dialogue does not take away from the story. It, in fact, is used in such a way that its scarcity only adds to the overall tension.
I feel that the way Bonner chose the best way to write about her family’s struggle with Autism. Instead of just writing an informative, researched based article about the symptoms or signs of the Asperger’s Syndrome, she really captured what it was like to live day to day with her autistic son. She was able to use literary styles and techniques to delve into what she experiences and, in turn, draw readers into those same experiences. Also, short story writing has greater emotional appeal and more chances for readers to put themselves within the story.
Still, Bonner’s story has many of the elements Donald Murray says belong in effective pieces of journalistic writing. Her story is rife with tension and conflict, which both fiction and journalistic writing should have in order to be compelling stories that the intended audience will read until the end of the story or article. The main, external conflict within the story – between Bonner and her 7 year-old son – as well as the various internal conflicts are the obvious forces that drive the tension until the very end of the story.
Bonner’s work, “Screaming Mornings: Living with Autism,” shares many of the characteristics of creative non-fiction writing as described by Wikipedia. Her story deals with a topic that could happen in the natural world, and it is based on actual life experiences rather than something Bonner created in her mind. Also, this actual life experience gives Bonner credibility, just as relevant, logical examples lend opinion pieces credibility.
One thing I have learned in class and that I have learned in reading about creative non-fiction is that it, like other pieces of writing – journalistic or otherwise – is often hard to define with certain set of boundaries or characteristics. Also, any given characteristics must be taken more as guidelines or boundaries as opposed to steadfast rules. However, all pieces of writing generally need to have tension and conflict and impact in order to hold reader’s attention or make connections with readers.
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