Writing and Desire: Queer Ways of Composing

Writing and Desire explores how queer writers think and feel through desire as a crucial dimension of contemporary human experience, offering us a reexperience of writing and our world as saturated with our dreams and wishes for change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

Writing and Desire is a profound and intricate exploration of the ways in which writers, particularly those who identify as queer, navigate and express their thoughts and emotions through the lens of desire. In the midst of a world grappling with political, social, global, and ecological challenges, this book offers a timely and insightful perspective on desire as a vital dimension of contemporary human experience. By delving into the complexities of desire, from its yearning for change to its pursuit of a better world, Writing and Desire seeks to understand how it shapes our individual and collective identities.

At the heart of this exploration lies the notion that writing is not merely a means of communication but a profound expression of desire. Through the works of various queer and trans writers and artists, Jonathan Alexander challenges us to reimagine writing as an act of longing and aspiration. By conceptualizing writing as desire, we are able to reexperience both the act of writing and the world around us as saturated with our dreams and wishes for transformation.

In his book, Alexander employs a range of theoretical frameworks, including queer theory and new materialism, to analyze the ways in which desire manifests in the creative practices of queer and trans writers and artists. He explores the ways in which these artists use desire as a tool for resistance, subversion, and empowerment, as well as a means of exploring and expressing their identities and experiences.

One of the key insights of Writing and Desire is that desire is not confined to the individual but is deeply intertwined with social and political contexts. Alexander argues that desire can be a powerful force for social change, as it motivates individuals to challenge the status quo and seek alternatives to the existing order. He also highlights the ways in which desire can be used to create new forms of knowledge and understanding, as writers and artists use their creative practices to explore and challenge the dominant narratives and ideologies that shape our world.

Through his personal and analytical writing, Alexander invites us to reflect on our own desires and aspirations and to consider how they shape our lives and relationships. He challenges us to think about desire as a source of joy and fulfillment, as well as a catalyst for change and transformation. Writing and Desire is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that offers a fresh perspective on the power of desire and writing to shape our world. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human experience and the role of creativity in shaping our future.

Weight: 1008g
Dimension: 213 x 210 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822947776