The Writer's I Ching: Wisdom for the Creative Life [With Deck of I Ching Cards]

by Elaura Niles and Jessica Page Morrell

The writing life is solitary and challenging, and it takes far more than creativity to become a commercial success. The Writer's I Ching uses the ancient Chinese divination system to provide writers... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762425474
• ISBN13: 9780762425471
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Running Press Book Publishers
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A Writer's Helper

I am enjoying the I-Ching book that I just received. It is very helpful and gives lots of good insight to writers. I like that I can read the chapter and apply what it suggests to my writing. I've found it very eye opening. Virginia Degner

Attention Must Be Paid! Writer's I-Ching Successful!

I note that Jessica Morrell's Writer's I-Ching is available on Kindle as an e-book; it's going to be a big surprise when the avid e-reader realizes the yummy part of this book is the complete set of I-Ching cards in the back that you tear out and assemble into a very satisfying little deck of your own. Once you have the deck in hand, the book becomes useful. Stuck on a scene in your novel? Shuffle the deck, draw a card and look up the wisdom of the ages PLUS exactly the right writing prompt you need to kick your scene up a notch. If you're a creative writing teacher like me, you'll have fun taking the deck into class and asking students to each draw a card and write to the image they see on the card. Only after they have written their first freewrite do I let the book loose to wander around the room, so students can look up their card and access another level of idea and a new writing prompt. This is a super useful and intriguing deck for anyone who enjoys adding intuitive sparks of insight into their writing life. You don't have to believe in sortilege to want one of these decks: BAD! One word: GOTTAHAVEIT!

Nice addition to my library

As the author, Jessica Morrell states, "Writing is discovery." The Writer's I Ching is a guide that helps writer's creatively engage with the synchronicity of the universe, often helping push through writer's block to discovery. Great minds have consulted the ancient wisdom of the I Ching for thousands of years. From Chinese emperors to Carl Jung, many have sought answers from its teachings and have been enlightened by what they found. Ms. Morrell has put it all together in an easy to use format so we mere mortals can do the same. Many have found the I Ching confusing or difficult to use and understand. I didn't get it the first time through, but as I use it I gain clarity and often garner insights I feel I would not have reached without guidance. If I'm stuck on a story point or character issue, I can pull out a card and read what the I Ching has to offer. It's like having a story psychic in my pocket for when I seek advice. The cards are beautifully designed and the format of the book is reader friendly. Ms. Morrell's experience and writing clarity adds depth to the material. Her writing style is enjoyable and aids in digesting what could be obscure material. The Writer's I Ching is a nice addition to my writing library.