How to Become a Writer

The story is told in the second person blended with the detail, description, and interiority often seen in the first or third person. In what scenes does the narrator shift from the second person focus, and what effect does it have on the narrative?

In what ways does the text illustrate Frankie’s attempts to make meaning of her brother’s injury? Consider the ways in which violence and injury are referenced.

The title of this story is “How to Become a Writer,” and the conceit behind it is that the narrator is giving advice on how to do this. Based on the narrator’s guidance, what might be some reasons to become or not to become a writer?

The story begins when Francie is a teenaged writer, showing stories to her mother in the kitchen. It ends after she has quit her job and devoted herself fully to writing. How does Francie’s writing change and grow as the story progresses? In what ways does it stay static?

Authors often use the second person to speak directly to the reader. Here, the narrator is speaking to Francie and the reader at the same time. How does this affect the reader’s understanding of narrative distance throughout the text? Who is speaking, and to whom? How do you know?

“How to Become a Writer” explores the difference between romantic love and sex, often assuming that the two are incompatible. What examples from the text illustrate Francie’s inability to accept or understand the complexities of sex and romantic love?

Moore uses metaphor to playfully show Francie’s attempts to express herself, while also illustrating her growth as a writer. What metaphors strike you as noteworthy, and what do they signify?

The narrator’s voice is sometimes mocking and ironic. Who or what are they mocking and how do you know? Is this ambiguous? Provide examples from the text.