Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

I have loved this book for many years, and now I’m teaching it to a new group of lovely lady writers. It has layers of meaning that are just as profound on every reread. So many gems of wisdom, no matter where you are on your journey. Read it.

Really enjoying this book. Nice friendly tone, short attention span chapters, filled with tips, insights, exercises. I have done the first exercise, which was to write something, anything - for ten minutes. As I sat in the afternoon sun, a rare thing in Ireland on a Friday off, a are thing in itself, I or sleep chose to close my eyes and compose a poem. I could see so much more as my eyes closed and ended up fast asleep - I had been up at 4 AM so needed this. An hour later, took out my iphone and wrote the same poem. Totally different words. I didn't feel the need to remember verbatim, just penned the theme in the words that presented. Any book on writing which leads to you actually writing, stopping the read, doing a simple writing exercise before reading on is a good thing. In my book anyway, so what - a pun is born. The real success for me was later on yesterday evening July 3, 2015. Put on a film for the kids, two out of three as the other was off to a wedding. The two left are cat and dog. In fact, just cajoled both to go shopping with my wife. Just to try to give them time to try to form a non-combative relationship, so to speak. So, the exercise? I use this iphone app 'notesy'. Real simple. Just add a new yellow folder call it 'poetry' then another, called it ' Bad Years Good Times'. Then within the folder, one click to add each chapter title of memories from a particular time. A few minutes later and I have 41 chapter titles. Enough for a book? I would say 'yes'. Anyway, am only barely started this book and the bones are being laid down for a poetry collection and a three year period in my own life. All inspired from this one little book.

What a great book. Natalie Goldberg spent years studying Zen and meditating. She used that experience and ability to better understand herself and how she writes. To my mind this book shows 'organic' writers how to write organically, i.e. to start with an idea and see where it goes, to learn to listen to your 'first thoughts' and really put yourself into your writing. There's much more to it than that (there's the normal advice to 'show don't tell', be specific in your description, etc) but that's the essence of it. There are many books that show planners (like me) how to plan a book, to structure it in a way that can sometimes feel like writing by numbers. Many people say that they simply can't write that way. For those writers, this book is essential and a very rare thing in my (limited!) experience. Even as a confessed 'planner' there's still many useful lessons here. While planning, I see no reason why writers can't access 'first thoughts' (thoughts and ideas unencumbered by self-doubt, analysis and our internal editor) and her insistence that every writer should practice every day (practicing does not mean writing your story...) to learn how to access your first thoughts, is an excellent one that might make me a more organic writer, yet... may be.

I got this book when I was just about to start a writing course. As a journalist, academic writer, copywriter, I had dabbled in different forms of writing and found that creative writing is a different ballgame altogether. I had just started this Becoming a Writer Course and was required to read Dorothea Brande. The course allowed me to meet myself as a writer and demanded us to develop skills to become one. In terms of writing books, Natalie Goldberg and Brande talked of about in the same breadth. So while buying Brande, I procured a copy of Goldberg as well and found practical ideas that got me to open my notebook and start scribbling. It is said that nothing will teach you writing better than getting down to writing. But I have found, that dipping into this book now and again, has given me insight and many answers to queries about writing per se. Gist: Goldberg analyses the craft and the whole mindset of writing - how to write and what to write. In short succinct chapters, Goldberg de constructs the myth of writing and talks us through the process with her no nonsense approach. What works: If you are a writer who has dabbled in creative writing and worked towards constructing a story, then this book is great. It is great, inspirational and the book really talks to you. It also addresses various issues like where to write and when to write. It allows you to forget the world, inhibitions and get your thoughts on paper. It makes you take yourself seriously as a writer even if what you are writing at the moment is rubbish! I like to consult it when I am in the middle of writing a piece and find it boosts my morale and gives me direction in terms of writing. It was a book written in the 70s but it holds true even today. It is this element that makes this book timeless to me - a classic. What doesn't: If you are thinking of becoming a writer and are looking for inspiration, then it is nothing but a good read. But if you want to make it work for you, get down to writing and this book will help you get there!

By far one of the best books on the subject of writing I have ever come across. What makes this so unique, and sets it apart from other 'how to' guides, is Goldberg's personality and infusion of spirituality - informed by her history of Zen meditation practice. This means she approaches writing, and teaching, with more of a 'right-brain' approach. Writing is all about trusting the subconscious mind, and Goldberg understands this on a deep level - many other books on writing completely overlook the (fundamental) function of intuition in the process and try to turn writing into something purely logical.

A journey of love, learning about writing, about life, about people, about yourself. Inspiring, thought provoking, if you truly pay attention you will not only become a writer but a new and improved version of yourself.

I LOVE this book! Every page fizzes with enthusiasm for writing and passion for life, leaving you feeling that your soul has been nourished. Whether you are an aspiring writer, merely aspiring to aspire, or a long-time professional, there will be something within these pages to encourage you, help you raise your game and keep your writing spirit youthful. This book is an utter pleasure to read and will stimulate you to new creative ways of spilling your writing onto the page. Why not do what I did? Buy a copy for yourself and send one to your daughter! :)

It was interesting to read a book which looks into the motivation for writing rather than the actual mechanics. Unfortunately this attempt to do so was little more than a random collection of thoughts, with frequent references to some guru or another. It did make a few useful points, but I can't believe that encouraging everyone to write constant garbage, in the hope that it will eventually improve, is the way ahead. Even the numbered references direct you to the wrong page. Sadly, I feel it's just not worth the money.

This is not just a book about writing, it's much more than that. I loved it, and I'll probably read it again.

Un libro que te abre la mente sobre la escritura. Si uno quiere desarrollar esta habilidad, ya sea como creativo o en alguna otra de sus ramas vale la pena leerlo. Yo lo compré para Kindle, entonces el precio me parece justo.

This book is so cozy and comforting it reads like a good friend talking to you but one who is an expert on writing. So many helpful suggestions. Will be a pleasure to read over and over.

Get a notebook, a pen, sit down, choose a subject - anything: from a flower on the garden, to a stone on your way, or a mouse on the street, or a blue butterfly on a picture - anything. Time you practice and write. Keep moving you hands, nonstop, until time’s up. Do this often. Everyday, any day. Keep writing like this and you’ll arrive to the place where the inspiring muse tells you what to write. And after that, do it again the next day, and the day after that!

Wonderful book! Highly reccomend for anyone whose on a writing journey.