Writing Excuses 10.10: Q&A with the I Ching

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Writing Excuses 10.10: Q&A with the I Ching

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2015/03/08/writing-excuses-10-10-qa-with-the-i-ching/

I Ching, Interpretation, and Answers:
7. Although he reached a great position, Wise Liu did not care for earthly things. He brewed instead the pills of heaven, forging immortality in his earthly crucible.
I: When do I give up traditional publishing and start self-publishing?
A: When your back catalogue and unwanted material are sufficient. When traditional publishing isn't connecting with your audience.
I: When should I quit my day job?
A: When you're losing money by having the day job.
I: When should I stop writing for other people and start writing for myself?
A: What makes you want to write?

21. Marriage is a blessed union indeed, when done in accordance with Yin and Yang. The dragon and the phoenix coil together, uniting in a sweet dream of love.
I: How do you handle genre mash ups?
A: When the genres play well together, different, but able to talk to each other. When it's awesome, and the story needs the combination.

20. All names in Heaven are unique, and even earthly things cannot be the same. Your future is set within the book of fate, which never confuses praise and blame.
I: How do you choose character names without telegraphing the character's future?
A: Use twitter or spam as a name generator.

25. Emperor Ming slew his one true love, but a shaman took pity, and eased his heart with dreams of roaming upon the moon, his beloved mistress forever at his side.
I: How do you kill your darlings?
A: Look for what doesn't fit, but you are tempted to twist the story to keep. Then set it free on the moon.

31: Two scholars went to the capital for examinations. One passed, and stayed. One failed and returned, carrying a letter from his friend. He fell ill, but eventually, thank Heaven, came home.
I: How do you deal with professional jealousy?
A: Realize that their success does not reduce your success. Remember why you are writing -- because you love it. Celebrate their success, and recognize that wherever you are on the journey, there are problems, but they may be different ones. "A rising tide lifts all the boats."
( And now, with feeling! )

[Brandon] All right. We are way out of time.
[Howard] Oh, dear.
[Brandon] But we are going to let the I Ching give us a writing prompt. So shake that one more time, Howard.
[Rattle of sticks]
[Brandon] Give us a good one.
[Dan] Okay.
[Brandon] Here's your writing prompt.
[Dan] Number 44. "Competing fiercely to become Spring's queen, the garden of flowers blossomed to their full beauty. Who will win the golden crown of glory? Among them all, only the peony stands out."
[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses. Now go write.