52.2 - 18. The specifics don't seem to correlate but what am I missing?

[em ching]

Hello all,

Today I wrote a short story for the first time. I write ideas etc in notebooks, but never have I written an actual story. I'm pleased that I've done it - not sure it's that great but I felt I was truly expressing myself with it, which is what it's all about... Anyway, I suppose this exercise, along with toying with the idea of imagining writing a novel (which seems like such a feat the more I think about it ) has made me wonder what it takes.

I am fully aware that I may not have the qualities needed - especially the stamina, vision and commitment - for writing a longer story, but I asked:

What qualities would need improving to be a novelist?
52.2 > 18

Seems a rather sorry line.
But is it saying that by going too quickly and getting carried away, without pausing to see the bigger picture of what you're writing could alienate the reader? ('He is swpt along'/'He cannot rescue him whom he follows')? Or that if you don't pour your whole self into the movement of writing you will trip and fall? Every part of you has to be involved in the motion?
But then, who or what could be the element (or 'master stronger than himself') that is sweeping me along? Perhaps it's just saying that I'm following in the footsteps of giants at the mo, ie real authors.

I did find that while I enjoyed writing the story, I felt I didn't have the energy to take it further, or the confidence perhaps, or vision.. Hmm..

What do you think the quality is?
Full dedication? This is probably what needs working on (hex 18)

Thanks
:bows:

Actually, now that I've engaged with the reading further through this post, the title of the post does not really apply. The Yi is never irrelevant how could I doubt it still!

 

[deedeebird]

Not sure you need the Yi to answer this.

You are either born to write or you're not. Ithink the best advice goes something like this--if anything can stop you from becoming a novelist, let it. Those who do it cannot be stopped, often much to their chagrin.

I think 52.2 says the small part of you that wants to try has no control over the rest of you that has no innate passion for it whatsoever. 18 to me says you would need to go back to your time in the womb and work on changing your entire composition (haha, get it?) in order to pursue this.

Don't be distraught, though. Novelists are frustrated crazy people.

Regards,
An Unpublished Novelist

 

[em ching]

Thanks but I'm not sure I agree with you here: I think 52.2 says the small part of you that wants to try has no control over the rest of you that has no innate passion for it whatsoever

Because the image is of the whole body moving ie there's a big part that wants to go forward but the calf, a small part, stops and causes the stumbling...

I also disagree that 18 is saying I need to work on an innate quality spoiled in the womb.. because something that's inevitable ie innate cannot be worked on surely - it's genetics.
So, in relation to my question I saw it as saying that the quality that would need improving to be a novelist is commitment.. and an idea of course...

The idea of being swept away by a superior man I also thought could be saying you must go your own way -there may be big fish out there ie other novelists - but you shouldn't copy their style etc..

Hmm.. well we'll see what comes.
I know being a novelist rather than a writer, is a whole other kettle of fish, so it's either there or not. And it takes a lot to write a novel - such as research and attention to detail as well as being universally accessible and relevant, readable, etc... and needing that gusto to feel you have to do it, and also having the self belief that you can/ should..

sheesh!

:bows:

 

[deedeebird]

Granted, I was being rather cheeky about the whole thing, but again, if you are looking at your answer purely out of curiosity/education regarding the Yi, then I understand your continued analysis of 52.2>18, whereas if you want an answer to your question as a writer, I gave it to you.

Do you really think most of you wants to write a novel and only a small part of you doesn't? That is hogwash, based on what you said. The fact is, you spent most of your post explaining how overwhelming the idea of writing longer pieces is to you. So for you to then evaluate 52.2 word for word seems a waste of time. The general idea of the line is that you wish you could do something, follow something, but it is not always within our control to do so.

As for working on something spoiled in the womb--again, forgive my cheekiness, but talent plays a crucial role in your question and to a great extent, talent is about genetics. So what I'm saying is I think the IChing was being a bit cheeky with you, too.

If you want to write a novel, you will and should, and no doubt it might turn out to be a great book or at least bring you great satisfaction. But if you are hoping for acclaim of some sort--which for some reason I feel like you are alluding to-- it does not come to those who simply have "an idea and committment...research, attention to detail...etc, etc." Those are things that can, with time, be learned. Talent can't be taught--you either have it or you don't, and when you have it, you know it, no need to ask.

 

[em ching]

Perhaps the Yi is referring to my frame of mind at the moment - perhaps it's reflecting the part of me that feels if I could call myself a writer (and be good) I could rescue my self-esteem/ happiness but that's not the way to cure a sad heart.

Trojan: So the pain in 52.2, and i reckon theres certainly emotional discomfort but at a different pitch to 52.3, is more about accumulated momentum in a certain direction that is not heading anywhere fulfilling but can't be stopped just like that either.

But writing has become more of a compulsion and necessity in my life - it's always been my subject but it has increased recently.

Meng: For me, this line has been when I was energetic, my natural energies were in forward march. But since it was a time of 52, that forward motion would only be clumsy and disjointed. But, keeping still didn't make me happy either. It's one of those "grmph" moments.

Maybe I can't keep up the momentum required at the mo because my emotions are too unstable thus I couldn't commit to writing a novel because I would either trip myself up or someone else would... could also be saying you can't rely on outward praise encouraging you to continue down this road, or do it with an idea of impressing others.

Perhaps its also saying novel writing is a long and lonely road (perhaps I don't know) and so to keep going you can't allow yourself to get downhearted if you can't feel instant satisfaction during the process, as sometimes I'm sure its very frustrating.

Hilary: I imagine the sadness as a kind of sinking feeling when you realise you can't salvage things completely.

toganm: A man supporting the mountain can suggest the spirit of the point (and here in the context of calves) is strengthening our resolve to bear up our responsiblities and life's challenges.

I am analysing this reading broadly now from all angles (quotes taken from previous posts on the line). Only time will tell if I could have talent in that area.

Perhaps its saying I'm stopping and questioning what I'm doing too soon into the process.

Who knows.

 

[deedeebird]

Perhaps the reading is telling you that in order to write good novels, you would need to first stop, look and correct any problems in your short stories, otherwise the mistakes you make will spoil all future writing.

But you weren't interested in my response, so I will stop bothering.

 

[em ching]

The only reason I didn't react to your second response was because I felt it unconstructive and discouraging, but that was your truth and how you saw it from the reading. I suppose I did feel defensive about your answer because people want to realise the futility of their own hopes, if they are not possible in that particular area, rather than being told by someone who hasn't even read your writing (from your intimation that if I had talent I wouldn't ask). Which is why I searched previous readings.

But this is true:
Do you really think most of you wants to write a novel and only a small part of you doesn't? That is hogwash, based on what you said. The fact is, you spent most of your post explaining how overwhelming the idea of writing longer pieces is to you.

I am not seriously considering writing one now - I just wanted insight into the quality that might need improving in order to do it.

But I do thank you for responding and admire you for writing novels - it seems like you need strength of will to do it - but you've got to use your gifts - and if they're there I guess they'll force their way out.

 

[em ching]

Perhaps the reading is telling you that in order to write good novels, you would need to first stop, look and correct any problems in your short stories, otherwise the mistakes you make will spoil all future writing.

That makes a lot of sense as I asked this after completing my first short story that didn't feel forced ie school assignment for example, and the Yi was probably saying don't lose momentum, as well as revealing other issues that could also have something to do with my motivation for pursuing the idea of writing a novel and/or what is needed. The short story isn't even polished yet and I was at the Yi analysing!

 

[deedeebird]

Here's the thing: Most of us learn how to write in school, it's something most everyone "can do." And yet, filling a page with words does not good writing make. You finished your first short story ever, and then you asked what qualities would need to be improved in order to write a good novel. I get that you don't understand this, but I do not need to see your writing to answer your question: There are problems in your short story which you must identify, work on and correct if you want to be a better writer. Otherwise, those things you are doing wrong in your first short story will repeat themselves in other short stories and would certainly "spoil" a novel from being good.

How do I know this? Well, I've been at it a very long time. Every once in a great while someone comes along and tries something for the first time and hits it out of the park. But when you hit it out of the park, you know it, and that's what I'm trying to say. So you have problems in your writing and until those are fixed, stay still with the short story and work on that.

Wishing you well!

 

[em ching]

Thanks
That makes a hell of a lot of sense. The push that made me write the story was actually deciding to work to the deadline (31st Jul) of a couple of writing comps I saw in a magazine.. I've always written, but not stories.. And it certainly ain't perfect - there are ideas which need wording better, and polishing - but I do feel happy with it, and glad that I've started, though stopped and pondered which may have tripped me up.. I just wanted to see what Yi had to say on it I guess!

I shall return to it and iron out kinks and keep going.

:bows: