Writing Beyond Recognition

“During a week when I had more than enough to do, I kept returning to Claire Robson’s lively and engaging book Writing Beyond Recognition. Her theory of writing practice and wise pedagogy for transforming traumatic memory into story shows the importance of the creative arts for survival and resilience.”

Ann Cvetkovich, Carleton University, author of "An Archive of Feelings and Depression: A Public Feeling"

"Despite its innocuous title, this text is a treasure trove of ideas related to working not only with LGBTQ students, but with any students who may feel marginalized both inside and outside the classroom. The book is the first in what will be a series entitled Queer Singularities: LGBTQ Histories, Cultures, and Identities in Education from Myers Education Press. Each chapter has an extensive reference list, inviting readers to explore the topic thoroughly, and in-text citations introduce a broad span of contemporary theorists. Chapter 6, 'Writing about Painful Topics,' offers practitioners suggestions to 'encourage difficult feelings because this is where passion and feelings reside.' 'Pedagogical Considerations,' a valuable list, provides a template for encouraging teachers to 'deal with emotional issues, [questions] about our increasingly risk-averse ... culture, and our failure to deal adequately with the emotional struggles that many of our students endure in silence.' This book belongs in any graduate course that is focused on inclusive education, critical arts research, gender/sexuality studies, and critical literacy. It is also important for practitioners who wish to include "critical arts research practices read through queer and feminist theories and perspectives. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals."

Choice

List of Tables and Figures
Introduction
Opening

Part I: Remembering

1. Memory
2. Beyond Recognition
3. Fishing for Difference

Part II: Recognizing

4. Resistance and Motivated Forgetting
5. Collectivity
6. Writing About Painful Topics

Part Ill: Revising

7. Truth
8. Revision
9. Feedback

Part IV: Representing

10. Show. Don't Tell
11. Modes of Representation
12. The Ethics of Working Through

Closing
About the Author
Index

NOTE: Table of Contents subject to change up until publication date.

Claire Robson

Claire Robson is a writer, researcher, and arts activist. Her awards include Xtra West Writer of the Year, the Joseph Katz Memorial Scholarship (for her contributions to social justice), and the Lynch History Prize (for her contributions to better understanding of gender and sexual minorities). Claire is an adjunct faculty member at Simon Fraser University, in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies.