I enjoyed reading Shelley Jackson’s “Stitch Bitch”. I could actually relate to what she was saying. One point in particular I liked was when she said, “We are not who we say we are.” I remember hearing a comedian once say when you first meet someone; you do not meet that person but their representative. I have always found that to be true. Think about it, in a job interview you are going to try to put your best foot forward. Some people will even go to the extent of lying about their capabilities and experience (though they like to call it “embellishing”).
Jackson goes on to talk about writing and how you should write whatever you want; style, opinion and subject matter does not matter. I love writing yet I hate it; ours is a very tumultuous relationship. As an undergrad I interned at a local paper at home, and was told by a writer there that every writer has to find “his or her voice”. What does that mean? Well, let me put it another way, I know that you have to write in your own style, from your own personal experience; so, if I am giving my opinion (for my own experience with the subject), isn’t that my voice? I must be quite honest this concept has always confused. Could writing not be considered another form of art? Isn’t it our interpretation of what is good? But I digress…back to Shelley Jackson.
I must say I actually like the way Jackson thinks. Call me crazy. But, I think it has something to do with validity. Any time someone makes you (your opinion, outlook, etc.…) feel like you have a valid point, that you’re not crazy, you actually do belong; you tend to glom onto them because now you have an ally. But, is it really Shelley Jackson I agree with or is it Shelley Jackson, the representative?