Writing differently

Every discipline has its own conventions. Ways of writing evolve over time but can come to constrain the creativity and expression of authors. In the neoliberal era, there is pressure on CMS scholars and beyond, to publish as often as possible, in a prescribed range of journals. Writing differently challenges this dynamic not for the sake of it, but because of the silencing and exclusionary effects it is associated with. Feminists have been at the forefront of writing differently, as they seek to overcome systemic marginalization of voices outside of the prevailing heteronormative, patriarchal structures. Experimental methods, including autoethnography and arts-based methods, offer alternatives to the mainstream and, more importantly, offer a way for people to express themselves and their reality more authentically.