Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

An Abstract and Zen Look at Living The Writer's Life

So many books on writing delve specifically into the craft of writing, explaining how to structure sentences, create memorable characters, move plotline along, or write interesting dialogue. Writing Down The Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg is not one of those books. In her writing how-to, Goldberg discusses the writing life, including why writers write, how to engage with the universe through the act of writing, and how to get past the internal blocks and censors that would prevent writers from writing.

Natalie Goldberg is a writing teacher, and in Writing Down The Bones, she promotes the act of writing practice. Writing practice is daily journal writing, handwritten and free flowing thought. Goldberg refers to this type of writing as "first thought," the rich and vibrant thought that accompanies the act of letting go. A student of Zen and meditation, Goldberg marries the two concepts, often quoting her Zen teachers and discussing making writing a part of daily life.

Those interested in understanding how to craft a novel or write memoir or delve into poetry can all benefit from this little book. No, it will not specify the secrets to public success as a writer. However, it will provide the encouragement and explain the reward with allowing oneself to be a writer. Goldberg specifically discusses the concept of what she refers to as "monkey mind," that internal censor that challenges all artists. It asks them, "Who do you think you are?" when delving into creative endeavors. She strategizes methods of dealing with money mind and shutting down the censor, returning to writing as the solution.

Goldberg is a proponent of writing mirroring life, and she challenges writers to explore all aspects of their lives in writing, explaining that avoiding uncomfortable topics will be evident to readers. Often, Writing Down The Bones gets quite abstract and new age. She explains that writing has less to do with talent than it does with practice, and she insists that writers write using all of their senses, engaging their readers with detailed explanations the environment in which the event is occurring. For writers of fast-paced or genre fiction, Goldberg's tactics may seem more useful to someone writing in other genres. However, Goldberg's perspective of writing as art and as having higher meaning as a form of art serves as a reminder to all artists the higher power they, themselves, are serving.

Goldberg meets her topics with humor and enthusiasm, challenging common writing dilemmas like where to write, how to write, when to write, and finding time. Her simple solution? Two words that can sum up all of the concepts in Writing Down The Bones: just write. Make no excuses, for the internal censor will be very creative itself in encouraging writers not to write. Just write, and appreciate life, and bring that appreciation and understanding to the page.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Book

Natalie Goldberg makes you want to write, even if you have no desire or ability. She is inspiring. Whether you have an interest in writing or not, this is a good book to have in your library. It could be helpful for anyone who does any type of writing. She forces you to think in detail and to be more descriptive.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

This book is a virtual bible in the creative writing circles on the process of freeing the writer within. Before Julia Cameron¿s bestselling Artist¿s Way there was Natalie Goldberg¿s Writing Down the Bones in 1986 and now a staple in workshops around North America. Goldberg¿s Zen meditation training has greatly influenced her teaching style and methodology which is reflective in this book. Writing Down the Bones brings a collection of techniques and practices for writers at various stages in their career, published or not. Goldberg mixes her methods with her Zen wisdom for a rich text on using the sensory faculties to bring out narrative whilst maintaining the clear mind focus required completing a creative project. There is no systematic rigid method in this book which allows a reader to jump around and still benefit from Goldberg¿s guidance. The fundamental of Writing Down the Bones is stimulating our senses and primal reactions to scent or sight to inspire what one writes about. There are real nuggets of gold in this book and one has to be quite a prospector when going through its sections. Some of the best advice for a writer includes the following from Goldberg: ¿ Timed writing ¿ keep your hand moving for 10 to 20 minutes without stopping. This is a form of ¿stream of consciousness¿ writing. ¿ No editing while doing timed writing. ¿ Forget spelling and grammar ¿ just go and write, write, write! ¿ Lose control in the narrative ¿ just say it with the pen without restraint! ¿ Don¿t think. Don¿t get logical. Lose yourself in the experience and get raw with your writing. ¿ Go for the jugular ¿ say with your writing exactly what you have in mind and forget about rules for a while. This is an intimate experience for you only so no external judgment will come upon you. ¿ Keep a list of writing ideas ¿ Try to fill a notebook a month ¿ Forget writer¿s guilt over unfinished products or breaks in your writing practice. ¿ Don¿t use writing for love ¿ a key wise woman saying especially given the propensity for melancholy in literary types 'ouch!' lest one get addicted to journaling instead of publishing and polishing their writing craft! ¿ The action of a sentence ¿ chapter on using verb as the energy behind a sentence and Natalie¿s exercise on constructing a connection between nouns. ¿ Consider participating in a story circle for creative support. ¿ Have a writing marathon once in a while. There are actual weekend writers¿ marathons throughout North America. One concept that Goldberg talks about in the ¿Afterward¿ section of the expanded edition of Writing Down the Bones is the importance of place. Location, just like real estate, is everything. Goldberg states that environment can really make a particular writing project come alive. For her, a place is the third character, particularly in novels. No wonder some authors love to go away to another part of the world to complete a story. The sensory experience of a town or city or building can evoke with intimacy a sense of story that goes deeper than a textbook description. Writing Down the Bones frees the writer within by pulling them out through their own senses. Goldberg¿s book is another mainstay for writers everywhere to keep their art fresh, engaging, and alive.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

lovely handbook for writers of all shapes and sizes

I was very impressed with the style of this book. It was very easy-going, there were none of those prescribed ideas of writers being "qualified" to write or such and such. The content is somewhat redundant at times. I feel as though she could have squished some short chapters together because of their similarity in content. However, she is very insistent on the idea of PRACTICE writing, in which the writer literally just has to sit down and write in order to produce anything.
Had to read for a class, but I blew through it pretty fast and am so glad that I did have to read it! I recommend it to anyone that even has an inkling of journaling or writing.

Great book

I really enjoyed reading this book. I have only written a few short articles and would like to write childrens stories and this book was very inspirational. I recommend it to everyone who has thought about writing or all ready is a writer.

Interesting but not necessarily for beginners

Goldberg believes that writing in the moment and not dwelling so much on our ideas is a good thing. She almost begs us to free write daily and if it will help, to write with a partner that you can bounce ideas off of.

She often seeks the guidance of her Zen master who often tells her to look into herself for the answer or tries to steer her in the direction she is after.

She uses numerous notebooks for her writing, one for every time she wants to start fresh. She is also quite peculiar about her notebooks and I do find that I too am that way, glad I am not alone in this.

Natalie akins her writing to spiritual practice where in one must take their time getting everything out on paper whether or not in one sitting. She stresses finding that connection within yourself and write peacefully. Write not only what you know but about where you are, place you are, and what is going on in your surroundings. She also says that she journals a lot and sometimes when she looks back at her previous writings it can bring a spark to her writing now or let her see where she was at that time. She says that journaling is telling, deep from within your soul.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

I've been 'stuck' for a while now in what I guess would be a called a 'writer's block,' and this book is freeing me up! This book, along with her other masterpiece, Old Friend from Far Away, is wonderful and inspiring, and encouraging... especially if you're feeling ready to write, but for various reasons have been stuck! Would definitely recommend it to everyone! :-)

Feeling the writer within

A good book for students to have to assist in the writing process.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A helpful writing guide

Natalie has truly captured the essence of "how to write." She presents the material in a "no holds barred" format. I learned there are really NO rules to writing other than to just write.

It's my bible!!!!

I carry this book everywhere with me! The second I started reading it, I desired nothing else but to write, write, write. My book is filled with post-it notes, high-lites, and notes scribbled in the margins. I definitely recommend this book. It saved me when I was at my worst with writer's block.

Get Up and Write

Writing Down the Bones:Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg. This book is a collection of 66 lessons on writing. Some of her essays are short and sweet that include ludicrous titles such as Writing Is Not a McDonald's Hamburger and Man Eats Car. Although, this book was published in 1986, it's ideas and theories are still as fresh and new as they were years ago. Her book is very appealing to potential and beginner writers that need some direction in that slow track to becoming a great writer. Even experienced writers can look back on Goldberg's teachings just to refresh their memories. Her useful tips and suggestions will help a person start writing as well as to continue with it, but the main point being that the writer must write about anything everday. Being able to incorporate what you write into your life's routine as well as using your life to write about will open up a whole new world for you. Being able to express yourself through writing will clear your mind and make you free from all of your emotions. Goldberg does not tell you what to write but she does tell you write as much as you can. The more you write and practice your techniques the better writer you will become. Her key advice to becoming a better writer is to set a time to write everyday and make it part of your schdule. And it doesn't matter what you write just as long as you are writing and putting your thoughts down on paper.

A must-read for writers

I must say I love this book. It was required reading for a college class, so I came to it with the expectation that it would be dry and dull. What a surprise! I read it all in two sittings. Who wouldn't want to read a book with chapters like '2+2= a Mercedes Benz'? Whenever I'm feeling down about my writing now, I can pick this up, read a few chapters, and be inspired.

Goldberg's gifts to all who hold pens- Clarity and Inclusion

As an instructor of writing for college freshman, I feel blessed to have discovered the value of this precious little 'Writing Down the Bones.' To say that Goldberg's writing advice 'empowers' my students seems trite and so inadequate. What she really accomplishes is inspiration and a warm accepting embrace of their potential as writers. She promises that everything she says 'as a teacher is ultimately aimed at people trusting their own voices and writing from it.' Natalie Goldberg accomplishes this and much more - she strengthens the very 'bones' of my students and makes them believe that they have something real to say.

Writing: Your Practice and Craft.

I've been a journalist for ten years and I've read hundreds of How-To writing books. Natalie is the best. Her sequel is Wild Minds and is just as wonderful. Why? She gets you writing. She gives you confidence. She teaches patience. Start with her and soon you actually see progress. Her point is to live a writer's life. Practice your craft the way she teaches and you will see your writing 'self' grow. I highly recommend her.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.