Hudson Valley Astrologer

I am an excellent writer! But let’s be clear. I am no Dostoevsky or Elliot, or Conrad, and just to be clearer I don’t even try to be. But in the way Raymond said to his brother Charlie in the movie Rain Man, I am trying to drive a stake in the ground here, to claim some territory for myself: “I’m an excellent driver,” he said, or in my case writer. Which to be honest is just an endearing way to say that I stay in my lane. I can demonstrate my confidence in writing without putting on airs, but at the same time realize my limitations.

I am reading a book right now by a very famous astrologer that I was excited about getting because I have more than an interest in the therapeutic potential of astrology. Humanistic astrology was born with Noel Tyl’s ingenious synthesis of astrology and psychology, and why I chose to study with him. There have been others, a small legion of astrologers that have come along since, and who have shared similar perspectives. Sadly, this book did not measure up. It was so disappointing that I am finding it hard to finish.

I am not going to mention the title or the author because my criticism may be more about style than substance. However, the saccharine writing is filled with so many clichés and colloquialisms that it makes me wince, as if someone put sugar in my coffee. I am also not going to mention the work or the author because I just think it’s good form, and I am determined to finish the book, for whatever pearls I can find (and for sure there are a few scattered about the pages, but they are carelessly strewn about as if someone cut the necklace stringing them together, where they just plopped and fell in place. The author might say, “hello random.”).

Maybe the book is just not for me? Or maybe the book was written for a seventh grader? In fact, some publishers encourage authors to write to the average reading level of their audience. So, I need to let out some slack, and appreciate the effort involved in getting the book to the printer and onto store bookshelves. If there is any hope in reading a book that you feel in your heart of hearts is poorly written, it is perhaps worthwhile to remember that just because you are published does not necessarily mean you are a good writer.

I started answering these prompts to exercise my writing chops. I am otherwise very busy during the day, working and studying. So, answering a prompt every single day is challenging, even though I don’t spend much time on social media. Even so, like Raymond’s driving, I feel that “I am an excellent writer,” although I haven’t really left the driveway yet. And that’s O.K., I think. The writer I am criticizing above left the driveway a long time ago, honking their horn, and hitting the freeway, getting in all kinds of traffic, and calling attention to themselves. So much so that they even got noticed by the Police.

HVA

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