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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer…
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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (edition 2005)

by Natalie Goldberg

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5,386831,932 (4.03)79
With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively. She offers suggestions, encouragement, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer's craft- on writing from "first thoughts" (keep your hand moving, don't cross out, just get it on paper), on listening (writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write), on using verbs (verbs provide the energy of the sentence), on overcoming doubts (doubt is torture; don't listen to it)-even on choosing a restaurant in which to write. Goldberg sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the value of their lives. The advice in her book, provided in short, easy-to-read chapters with titles that reflect the author's witty approach ("Writing Is Not a McDonald's Hamburger," "Man Eats Car," "Be an Animal"), will inspire anyone who writes-or who longs to.… (more)
Member:KublaKess
Title:Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
Authors:Natalie Goldberg
Info:Shambhala (2005), Edition: Expanded, Paperback, 224 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:
Tags:writing

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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

  1. 20
    On Writing by Stephen King (VictoriaPL)
  2. 20
    If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland (Z-Ryan)
  3. 00
    Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki (sturlington)
    sturlington: Goldberg is a practicing Buddhist. Her book references this one, and both are structured in a similar way and focus on the concept of practice.
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Showing 1-5 of 80 (next | show all)
Natalie Goldberg’s guide for writers seeks to free authors to engage their own minds in writing. Using Zen Buddhism as a template, she describes the practice of writing as similar to meditation in that an author engages her/his own mind. She seeks to free writers from a persistent “inner critic” who chatters doubts, hangups, and insecurities. She labels this the “monkey mind” in contrast to a “creative mind.” As she does in writing seminars, she even proscribes a set duration of writing each day, much like one would engage in prayer or meditation.

Goldberg herself comes from a non-practicing Jewish background. She had no strong educational awards to fall back on but became inspired in the feminist movement to do something noteworthy. She eventually gained a Buddhist mentor whose influence is all over this book and her life. She even re-engaged with Judaic spiritual rhythms.

She speaks in very earthy tones with strong metaphors, which increases reader engagement with the book. This audiobook contains the original text of her book along with interviews about each chapter done over a decade later. Goldberg is sometimes surprised at her confidence and at other times, critiques her younger self. This added dynamic makes the audiobook even more interesting.

Obviously, this book is intended primarily for authors and writing professionals. However, anyone who wants a more transparent relationship with the writing process, whether in business emails or even with computer code (my trade), can benefit from Goldberg’s advice. She simply cautions writers to tone down their self-criticism and actually get down to the process of honest writing. Most readers will engage better with what the author finds most meaningful and relatable. Self-actualization is a key part of the process. This perspective can engage with better writing and better living in 2023 as well as it originally did in the 1980s. ( )
  scottjpearson | Sep 2, 2023 |
Writing
  cadamleo | Apr 17, 2023 |
Good reading, about writing. ( )
  mykl-s | Mar 2, 2023 |
A delightful book ( )
  jenwelsh | Nov 18, 2022 |
I read this book a couple of times before and thought I'd give the audio a try on a recent road trip. So glad I did! The original content is still powerful and in this anniversary audio version, Goldberg adds new thoughts to her ideas and experiences of her younger self. ( )
  Chris.Wolak | Oct 13, 2022 |
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Dedication
For all my students past, present, and future and for Kate Green and Barbara Schmitz.

May we all meet in heaven cafe writing for eternity.
First words
Foreword:

Some years ago, while cleaning out my grandmother's attic, I came across this motto encased in an old oak picture frame: Do Your Work As Well As You Can and Be Kind.
Introduction:

I was a goody-two-shoes all through school.
Quotations
This is why it is good to remember: if you want to get high, don’t drink whiskey; read Shakespeare, Tennyson, Keats, Neruda, Hopkins, Millay, Whitman, aloud and let your body sing.
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With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively. She offers suggestions, encouragement, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer's craft- on writing from "first thoughts" (keep your hand moving, don't cross out, just get it on paper), on listening (writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write), on using verbs (verbs provide the energy of the sentence), on overcoming doubts (doubt is torture; don't listen to it)-even on choosing a restaurant in which to write. Goldberg sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the value of their lives. The advice in her book, provided in short, easy-to-read chapters with titles that reflect the author's witty approach ("Writing Is Not a McDonald's Hamburger," "Man Eats Car," "Be an Animal"), will inspire anyone who writes-or who longs to.

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