I might be writing what people expect me to write, writing from that place where I might be ruled by economic considerations. To overcome that, I started working with my dreams, because I'm not so censored when I use dream material.

Kathy Acker’s quote reflects her struggle between writing based on external expectations and the internal drive to express her authentic voice. She acknowledges the pressure to write in ways that might cater to economic considerations, such as market demands or publishers' expectations. However, she resists being limited by these constraints and seeks freedom in her creative process by turning to dreams as a source of inspiration. Dream material allows her to bypass the usual censorship she feels when adhering to commercial pressures, enabling her to create more authentic and unrestrained work.

Acker’s reference to working with her dreams highlights her use of the subconscious as a tool for creative liberation. In the realm of dreams, there are no rules or limitations, and this lack of structure offers her the opportunity to explore ideas that might be stifled in more conventional forms of writing. She uses dreams to tap into deeper, less filtered emotions and thoughts, ultimately allowing for more experimental and boundary-pushing work that reflects her true artistic vision.

The origin of this quote lies in Acker’s background as an experimental writer and postmodern feminist whose work often challenged traditional narrative structures and themes. Her literary style was marked by its rawness, irreverence, and a tendency to merge personal experiences with avant-garde forms of expression. Acker’s interest in dreams and the unconscious was a recurring theme in her work, as she sought to subvert conventional storytelling and embrace more unconscious forms of creativity.

Ultimately, Acker’s quote is about artistic freedom and the tension between external pressures and internal desires. By embracing dreams as a source of material, she allows herself to sidestep the commercial and social forces that might otherwise shape her writing, giving her the space to produce more innovative and daring work. It’s a call for artists to look within, to confront their subconscious, and to trust their creative instincts without succumbing to outside influences.