Future as a writer 22.6-36

[gael123]

Hello everyone,

I'm back at an ongoing crossroads in my life where I am breaking out as a freelance writer after years as an academic. I now make my money another way - through doing up houses, something I've been working towards for years and am now making a decent living from. So I know I can manage and develop another career alongside my writing (one that is a damn sight more creative than contemporary university life, sorry.... to anyone in it....). I am however finishing a long academic book which I have been writing for 6 years. I want to leave a book behind which shows what I learned and how I developed as a writer and reader when I was in it; hopefully some students will like it in the future. I've written and published a book of poems this last year, and next I would like to try a novel (my third; two are unpublished but at least I tried!).

Anyway, who knows how this will all pan out? I obviously don't get up every day thinking I'm good enough, nor that it will be plain sailing! Also I've been at this point for so long it's getting boring, and driving my friends mad too I expect.

But I've been planning my next move, and sorting out the finances, and all that, so that's taken time.

I just asked the Yi a (deceptively) simple question: What is my future as a writer?

Answer 22.6-36.

I thought this was an interesting answer. It's about form, grace, and I guess artwork. It's also about obscurity (my current situation - noone reads my stuff and I'd like to change that!) I felt like it was saying: focus unpretentiously on the craft, and slowly you will find your way from obscurity towards the light of day.

But I always think again when I read responses on here. I don't have the distance and can be far too literal. Any thoughts are very much appreciated. Thank you.

Happy January,

Gael

 

[radiofreewill]

Hi Gael,

“What is my future as a writer?”
22.6 to 36 ~ To emerge from obscurity, tell a simple truth unadorned.

Check out this classic example from Joel Barker:

The Star Thrower
​

There's a story I would like to share with you. It was inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley. Eiseley was a very special person because he combined the best of two cultures. He was a scientist and a poet. And from those two perspectives he wrote insightfully and beautifully about the world and our role in it.

Once upon a time, there was a wise man, much like Eiseley himself, who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked, Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves. "It made a difference for that one!"

His response surprised the man. He was upset. He didn't know how to reply. So instead, he turned away and walked back to the cottage to begin his writings.

All day long as he wrote, the image of the young man haunted him. He tried to ignore it, but the vision persisted. Finally, late in the afternoon he realized that he the scientist, he the poet, had missed out on the essential nature of the young man's actions. Because he realized that what the young man was doing was choosing not to be an observer in the universe and make a difference. He was embarrased.

That night he went to bed troubled. When the morning came he awoke knowing that he had to do something. So he got up, put on his clothes, went to the beach and found the young man. And with him he spent the rest of the morning throwing starfish into the ocean. You see, what that young man's actions represent is something that is special in each and everyone of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can, like that young man, become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our vision the power to shape the future.

And that is your challenge. And that is my challenge. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, I have no question that the 21st century is going to be a wonderful place.
​

https://web.archive.org/web/20070929155500/http://www.starthrower.com/star_thrower_story_script.htm

 

[my_key]

Future as a writer 22.6-36

Your future as a writer is being hampered by hidden influences. Accepting that this is part of your 'apprenticeship' and is a first step on the road. Look for ways to bring honesty into your inner and outer world and in how you approach your writing. This will allow you to bring fresh perspective and a new brush stroke of creative juices into the picture of your life.

Good Luck

 

[gael123]

Thank you both so much! I love that story. I am going to look for more of his works. It's funny because my poems are set on a beach and the setting and tone fits perfectly.

My Key I truly appreciate your detailed opinion. What do you think the hexagram is saying that leads you to 'hidden influences'? Thank you!

 

[gael123]

Thank you both so much! I love that story. I am going to look for more of his works. It's funny because my poems are set on a beach and the setting and tone fits perfectly.

My Key I truly appreciate your detailed opinion. What do you think the hexagram is saying that leads you to 'hidden influences'? Thank you!

 

[my_key]

My Key I truly appreciate your detailed opinion. What do you think the hexagram is saying that leads you to 'hidden influences'? Thank you!

Hex 22 in many respects is about marriage of inner worth to outer experiences. If they do not align there is most likely 'hidden influences' at play because if you knew what was causing the discord you'd more than likely be doing something to be getting rid of it. Hex 36 talks of hiding our light perhaps as a way of protecting ourselves.

Hope that helps.

 

[moss elk]

Future as a writer 22.6-36

With this line and this subject matter,
I think it is encouragement to stick with non-fiction and non-poetry (both of which are Unadorned, or Hide Adornment/embelishment.

 

[rosada]

Noting you’ve asked “what is my future as a writer?” I wonder if this way of phrasing your question is too open ended? I mean 22.6 describes a beautiful but un-grounded fantasy and 36 is about hiding one’s light. Hard to twist that into an omen for fame and success! But the I Ching often only tells us the immediate future, the next step. Perhaps the I Ching is advising that your next step as a writer is that you will take your vision and hide yourself away in your study till you finish your manuscript.

 

[moss elk]

I mean 22.6 describes a beautiful but un-grounded fantasy

Huh? It's almost exactly the opposite of that.

It's the Real without the Fantasy.
22 is the fantasy.
36 Hides the Fantasy.

 

[rosada]

I mean fantasy in the sense that her vision of being a successful writer has gone as far as it can go as a vision. It’s a beauty, no mistake, but the dream has no future in reality until she completes her manuscript and thus her next step, her “future as a writer” could mean doing the actual writing. 36 and the man hiding his light might be particularly appropriate advice if there have been issues around getting the privacy to do the work.

 

[moss elk]

I mean ...

Okay.

 

[gael123]

Well I am presently working away on a book, step by slow step. It will have taken me 7 years by the time I finish. It's non-fiction. Maybe this is saying, slowly, slowly, keep going.

 

[gael123]

I asked 'What can I expect from my professional future if I continue as I am doing now?' to receive the reply

10.2.6 to 17.

I think this echoes that lesson... tread a smooth and level path and be modest, and perhaps energy will flow with you.

 

[gael123]

I asked 'What can I expect from my professional future if I continue as I am doing now?' to receive the reply

10.2.6 to 17.

I think this echoes that lesson... tread a smooth and level path and be modest, and perhaps energy will flow with you.

 

[rosada]

Following your muse...