TRIGGER WARNING! The writing of Valerie Solanas includes language that might make readers uncomfortable, outraged, or just offended. If you can't read the whole manifesto, that's OK. You'll get the idea of it from the first few paragraphs.
Both Gertrude Stein and Mary MacLane (Joe Brainard, too) wrote directly about their lives. Yes, they each took an unusual or unconventional approach, but there is never a doubt that the product itself is a way to tell a life story.
Valerie Solanas is known today for two things: shooting Andy Warhol and writing the SCUM Manifesto. Here's a link to the trailer of the 1996 film biopic, I Shot Andy Warhol.
What if a writer never acknowledges the "I" voice in an obviously personal piece of writing. Valerie Solanas maybe comes close to achieving this kind of anti-autobiography. The SCUM Manifesto is really hard to read, sometimes it's hard to take seriously. At times it does feel kind of like a joke or performance art piece. Could this be considered a kind of shadow autobiography?
Due one week from today, September 22, you have your own "Creative Autobiography" due. Be ready to share excerpts of it to the class. Take risks. Don't make it boring. Shoot for around 1,000 words. Include images if you like (not required). Proofread carefully before uploading it.
Next Monday will be a workday, so bring your laptop if you can. Have a start on it (or finish a complete draft) so you can share it with classmates and get some feedback.
Questions: csmith@dcad.edu
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