Dancing Backward in Stilettos

Dancing Backward in Stilettos by Debra H. Goldstein

I am not an original member of the Stiletto Gang. Consequently, I didn’t have input into the name of our blog or access to the thoughts or conversations the founders shared before they picked the word “Stiletto.” Was it the distinguishing factor of women solving mysteries in high heels – which brings up thoughts of Ginger Rogers doing everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards? Was it indirectly a sexist thought? A play on words?

I think it was probably the latter because a stiletto is defined both as a woman’s shoe with a thin, high tapering heel and a short dagger with a tapering blade. On its face, this duo definition seems to be a conflict of thoughts, but for writers who examine things from more than one viewpoint, it is perfect.

Of course, that brings me back to the chicken or the egg question. Which came first, the knife from its resemblance to a women’s tapering heel or the heel being modeled after the thin knife? Did whoever designed the one that came second think both were weapons?

The writings of the different members of The Stiletto Gang – mysteries, romance, plays, and poetry – reflect our diversity. Our backgrounds, religious and political beliefs, and lifestyles greatly differ, but we come together for one purpose: to write. In a nutshell, that is the beauty of our name. It reflects that we taper words to express our thoughts. It doesn’t matter if it is on the point of a knife or through a clicking heel. The key is that, with respect, we narrow things down to share our views.