Best way to start a new path

[julie]

A few months ago, I wrote in "A Surprising Answer" about my conversations with the Yi about a writing program I'm planning to attend next year. It's something I've been very excited about, but the Yi was, uh, less than enthusiastic. At that point, I couldn't quite see an alternative to the program that really made sense to me, so I filed away the Yi's advice, kept mulling on it, and kept pursuing the program.

Well, some thoughts have started coming together for me about it a bit. Another option is to not do the program, and just do my writing. It may be that I'm using this program as a sort of crutch, a way to shield myself from the fear of jumping in. Sometimes, it makes sense to use crutches, but sometimes they hold us back from developing our own strength. So with that in mind, I asked:

What if I were to take next year to just work on my own writing projects and not go to the writing program? 12.6 to 45

Then I asked again about the program, hoping that the Yi would give me an answer to directly compare with the previous one:

What if I were to go to the program next year instead? 35.1 to 21

I have some thoughts on what these mean, but I'd be very interested in anyone else's perspective on it.

Julie

 

[candid]

Hi Julie,

Thinking Yi is saying to just write.

I don't know if you've ever read or worked with Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, but it is an excellent study in overcoming writer's block and releasing your creative potential. Sounds to me like you may have a case of 'inner critic syndrome' and resulting procrastination. 21 could mean biting through these obstructions, the end of standstill in 12.6. Might wish to check it out if you haven't already.

Artist?s Way

 

[frank]

Hi Julie,

I hope to become a writter one day too. But sofar I only wrote articles in a more 'journalistic' way, then realy a novel. I started one, but have to deal with critisism already as someone who wants to be my coach in this finds the chapter I wrote to rude written and she can't identify herself with it... Geee, now that's a good start :-D. As I see the answers of the Yi to me it tells you that you should put more faith in your own writting to become aware where you stand, and besides you do not have to do this alone... let friends help (12.6 > 45), and if you do want to get into the program it gives you progress, but it could be hard to follow, as you have to deal with rules others make, which can stop your own growth as a writer... (35.1 > 21).

I hope you will get fine with the booktip Candid has given you, and as mather of fact I'm going to buy that book in the future too perhaps...:-D

Hug,
Frank

 

[candid]

LOL Frank. Imagine teaching a child to walk, and immediately after his first step you say "NO, not like that!" Or when a child utters her first word, albeit crudely. The mother jumps up and down, clapping her hands, and the child gets a big satisfied smile on her face, and then walks some more. The best way to write is to write, and then write some more. There's plenty of help available, but none of it does much good if we don't write.

Julia points out this little factoid:
Which statement has more inherent power?
a) I wrote a story.
b) I am writing a story.

The power is in the writing, in the doing; not in having written it. If our eye is on the result, we lack the creativity to simply allow it to happen. We can always refine it later. But first we have to get our own critic out of the way to allow it to happen. These are types of things Julia?s book addresses so well.

 

[julie]

Hmm. I'm inclined to read the I Ching similarly. On the other hand, I just talked to a friend who has a great deal of experience as a freelance journalist, and he was pointing out the manifold benefits of this program. I'd have help instead of having to figure everything out on my own; I'd make tons of contacts; I'd learn to write in a journalistic style that I've never done before, and which would be hard to acquire with no assistance at all; I'd learn how the business works from the inside (the program involves internships of various sorts, and the instructors are working science writers); I'd gain tons of confidence. Though I'm not totally thrilled about being a student again, if I am going to do it, this seems like the most palatable way. I'd be surrounded by some of the best and brightest. I have a generous fellowship to this program, and it's one of the best around, if not the best. I've talked to lots of alums of it, and they seem like a wonderful group of people who are very enthusiastic about it and who continue to support one another long after graduation. And while I agree that the best way to write is to write and then write some more, that's just what I'd be doing in the program. And I am writing now as well. So after talking to him, I feel like I'd be crazy not to go.

The other side of it is that I end up feeling like I'm just kind of treading water between now and then, whereas if I'm making the transition to simply being a writer now, I feel much freer. But even there, it seems like given all the arguments in favor of the program, that seems like more of a little psychological problem I'm having that I should be able to get over.

So now I'm left feeling totally unsure what to make of it.

 

[candid]

Julie, if you're inclined to read the Yi similarly, then you would see that it doesn't matter so much whether you choose to take the course or not. What matters is that you write. There is no magic bullet, and "going to write" is less than "did write". Neither of them "is writing". Personally, I see no harm at all in taking the course. In Nike speak: Just do it!

 

[omshante]

indecision, lassitude, misapprehension and doubt are very damaging to the intuition. until one finds a comfortable spot 'inside' nothing on the 'outside' will help, only cause more confusion.

i think the approach is more of a personal one as opposed the the situation itself

i have taken a look at your cast

12.6 - 45

can't really look outside yourself for this one love set yourself a standard and live or die by it! try not to make any moves UNTIL you are certain within your Self. you cannot enter 'the group' in an uncertain state of mind, no use, what would/could you contribute. keep a focus on the goal, but confidence is what is lacking at this time, you need to work on this. Do you believe in yourself, do you believe you could succeed ? if not then hold back for now

35.1 - 21

'this is not so much about what you do as to who you are', you depend too much on what other people think. you lack confidence in your abilities. deep down somewhere inside you are aware of your capabilities yet hold back, afraid to speak YOUR truth.(too polite, i would say) because of this its hard to progress. develope faith, girl. you may need to give yourself time to develope inner strength through other activities, be courageous. i believe your writing is an outlet for your inner being the real you and yet you still hold back. Why?

i think candid and frank have very valid points but what is that old saying ' all roads lead to rome'!!!

Candid i think i will aquire that book thanks for letting us know about it