Natalie Goldberg has been holding writing workshops for 20 years. First released in 1986, this edition of Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within includes a new preface and an interview with the author.
Writing Down the Bones Overview
This book approaches writing from a combined Zen/meditation and writing point of view. Goldberg discusses writing practices such as timed writing, writing with a partner, writing in groups and solitary writing and offers the reader a variety of approaches to try.
Writing Down the Bones Review
Chapters are very brief, sometimes only a page or two, and designed to be read in any order. Goldberg writes clearly and simply and is constantly encouraging. Her approach to writing does vary considerably. There is much less structure or discipline involved in her techniques then you would find in similar books by other authors.
One chapter may suggest writing at home, and another will tell the reader to write at a busy café. And while Goldberg encourages timed writing exercises, the timing is of the readers choosing: 10 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours. There is no set minimum; Goldberg almost encourages a ‘do what you feel like’ approach to writing.
She states that there is little point to spending 5 hours writing everyday, if all that the reader/writer is doing, is going through the motions, but not enjoying it. This is not good writing practice.
Goldberg’s references are often towards the creative side of writing, in particular, poetry, so this book may not appeal to all writers, especially writers of non-fiction. Readers also need to be open to Eastern mediation because Goldberg refers to this quite often and at times the book can get a bit ‘new-agey’ or ‘fluffy’.
With all the encouragement and simple to read chapters Goldberg provides, it is difficult to read more then a few chapters at a time, because despite the books ‘fluffiness’, readers will be hard pressed not to put down the book and pick up a pen and paper and start writing.
Interesting Facts About Natalie Goldberg
- Natalie Goldberg has written 10 books
- Writing Down the Bones was her first book, and the one she claims she is best known for
- Writing Down the Bones has sold over 1 million copies
- Writing Down the Bones has been translated into 12 languages
- Goldberg has practiced Zen for 30 years and taught writing seminars as a spiritual practice
Writing Down the Bones was first published in 1986 and again in 2005 by Shambhala publications Inc. (ISBN 978-1-59030-261-3). Goldberg has written a number of books including Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer’s Craft and The Essential Writers Notebook.
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
