ortiz cofer's work can be called creative nonfiction. her narrative style was influenced by oral storytelling, which her grandmother inspired. in puerto rico, their tradition is storytelling. she began her writing career with a work of poetry, "the latin deli." she was nominated for a pulitzer prize. her other works explore various genres, combining poetry, short fiction, and personal narrative. ortiz cofer's works often focus on living her life between two cultures, american and puerto rican, and how this informs her ideas as a writer. her work also explores such subjects as racism and sexism in american culture.