The I Ching for Writers: Finding the Page Inside You [Paperback]

Sarah Jane Sloane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 2005

The ancient oracle system of I Ching has provided guidance to wisdom seekers for 5,000 years. Now writers seeking ideas and motivation can take advantage of these ancient predictions, recast by Sarah Jane Sloane into relevant suggestions for contemporary writers. Each of the I Ching's 64 hexagrams, interpreted by Sloane from years of study as well as from comparisons of over fifty translations, offers commentary and direction for what the future will hold for the writer. In addition to this oracular system of advice, the book outlines the five stages of the writing process - brainstorming, planning, generating a first draft, revising the draft, and polishing - and provides a clear introduction to the philosophy of the I Ching. Inspirational quotations, writing prompts, solutions to common writing problems, and over 270 activities, exercises and suggestions are also included in this wonderful exploration of the creative process.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A sure cure for writer’s block, this book is great for creative brainstorming....a good addition to any writer’s reference shelf.” — Hal Zina Bennett, author of Write from the Heart “Those who struggle with writing — and they are legion — know in their bones what it feels like to be wordless and silent. Into this uneasy space steps Sarah Jane Sloane, with a dazzling display of imaginative advice for writers in The I Ching for Writers. Take this journey with Sloane as she works through what the I Ching’s sixty-four hexagrams can tell you about your writing self; then see how your imagination takes up the writerly challenges offered here.” — Andrea A. Lunsford, professor of English and feminist studies at Stanford University --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (February 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577314964
• ISBN-13: 978-1577314967
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #728,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > I Ching

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful, inspirational cure for writer's block, June 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The I Ching for Writers: Finding the Page Inside You (Paperback)

Plenty of spiritual guides have been written on the subject of the I Ching; but none with the specialized focus of Sarah Jane Sloane's The I Ching For Writers: Finding The Page Inside You, which tells how to apply I Ching concepts to writer's block and inspirational paths. Each of the I Ching's sixty-four hexagrams is interpreted by Sloane from years of study of over fifty translations, and synthesized into comments pertaining to writer's struggles with words. The I Ching For Writers: Finding The Page Inside You evolves into a delightful, inspirational cure for writer's block under Sloane's careful applications and analysis.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring serendipity and inspiration into your writing life, August 20, 2007

By 

Anne T. Zelenka "writer, blogger, book author" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The I Ching for Writers: Finding the Page Inside You (Paperback)

To cast the I Ching, you throw three pennies six times to arrive at one of 64 hexagrams. For each hexagram, Sloane offers an essay with writing advice, suggested writing exercises, and a prediction of how your writing will proceed. You need to read the instructions for finding the right hexagram carefully; if you don't, you might become confused as a previous reviewer was.

This is a fun way to introduce serendipity into your writing. Sloane's advice is both practical and inspiring. I particularly enjoyed her essays "Overseeing the True Way" and "Acknowledge a Great Vision That You Already Possess."

Of course sometimes the hexagrams you cast may not be what you want to read about. You might find the selected essay either inapplicable or downright unpleasant. But part of the charm of the I Ching experience is in considering how the hexagram might apply, and seeing how you can learn from taking a new perspective.

I checked this out from the library but I'll be buying a copy as it's a fun resource for those times when my writing needs an injection of insight. A friend of mind also recommends The Observation Deck: A Tool Kit for Writers (Past & Present), as a way of introducing randomness into the writing process.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful source of inspiration!, August 25, 2006

By 

Music Fan (Southeastern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The I Ching for Writers: Finding the Page Inside You (Paperback)

Sarah Sloane's *I Ching for Writers* is a real treat! The advice Sloane offers is informed by proven writing pedagogy (theory on the teaching of writing), and the discussion is clear, practical and accessible. Maybe most important, the author has a terrific sense of humor!

I loved the writing exercises so much that I assigned the text in a college course for advanced writers. My students had great fun throwing the pennies and with the wonderfully creative writing prompts.

Highly recommended!