I decided to do my reading response on Tobias Wolff's Next Door. Until reading this short story a second time, I never realized how in depth I should read (and write). When I read it by myself I picked up on the subtle hints of trouble and awkwardness between the husband and wife. I think I even picked up on their jealousy toward their neighbors who have the passionate fire they lack.
I didn't realize the importance of mentioning El Dorado, but now that I have read it again, it makes perfect sense that it reflects what the husband is missing, and what he hungers for. I now know that in a short story every detail, every word, and every sentence has a very specific purpose.
Yes, but don't let that intimidate you. Writers don't start knowing all that. They simply begin with a scrap of language. Like the bit about your math teacher. Let that quip begin to grow the character. Put her/him in a particular situation and watch what happens. You can't (and shouldn't) know it all from the beginning. If you did, why write it?
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