ABSTRACT
I would not be/coming the feminist autoethnographer I am without being in relation with the words and works of Hélène Cixous. Often described as a post-structuralist feminist philosopher, Cixous prefers to think of herself as a creative writer whose work takes many forms of expression including poetic fiction, chamber theatre, philosophical and feminist essays, literary theory and literary criticism. This chapter explores the breadth and depth of Cixous’ work with particular attention to the Cixousian concept of écriture féminine or “feminine writing” and the possibilities her thinking, wondering and writing holds for feminist autoethnography. Reading and reflecting on passages from a variety of Cixous’ journal articles and books including, “The laugh of the Medusa” (1976), Vivre l’Orange/To live the orange (1979/1989), Coming to writing (1991), Three steps on the ladder of writing (1993), Rootprints: Memory and life writing (1997) and Dream, I tell you (2006), this chapter shows how the work of Hélène Cixous is a most necessary companion in a search for ways to live and love in autoethnographic writing as poethical-is-personal-is-political commitment to the “f” word.
