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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within Paperback – February 2, 2016

by Natalie Goldberg (Author), Julia Cameron (Foreword)

587 customer reviews

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The all-time best-selling writer's handbook turns thirty.

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.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Wherein we discover that many of the "rules" for good writing and good sex are the same: Keep your hand moving, lose control, and don't think. Goldberg brings a touch of both Zen and well... *eroticism* to her writing practice, the latter in exercises and anecdotes designed to ease you into your body, your whole spirit, while you create, the former in being where you are, working with what you have, and writing from the moment. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA Goldberg will catch readers interested in writing with her opening confession that she was a ``goody-two-shoes all through school'' and should hold them until she pulls the last page from her typewriter, one ``Sunday night at eleven.'' Part writing guide, part Zen philosophy, and part personal diary, this book has the smooth, fast flow of a conversation with a good friend who, while struggling with her own writing, has picked up more than a few tips that she eagerly shares. Definitely not another ``how to write better themes'' or a rehash of the writing process, Goldberg's short, quirky chapters give the finer points of how to write in a restaurant and why bother to write at all. The earnest, slightly Bohemian, occasionally vulnerable voice will endear her to young writers who are looking not so much for a teacher or text as for validation that they can write and for some simple but intriguing tips to get them started. While there are the required chapters on using detail and keeping a journal, the most important thing Goldberg has to say to young people is that ``we have lived. Our moments are important. This is what it is to be a writer: to be the carrier of details that make up history. ''Carolyn Praytor Boyd, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Shambhala; 30 Anv edition (February 2, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 161180308X
ISBN-13: 978-1611803082
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (587 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Publishing & Books > Authorship
- #14 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Spirituality
- #40 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Fiction

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Customer reviews

587

4.5 out of 5 stars

5 star		68%
4 star		15%
3 star		7%
2 star		4%
1 star		6%

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Excellent Alternative

ByRainsford 1942on June 7, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Excellent alternative to the more structured approaches such as Julia Cameron's impressive Artist's Way series. For those who prefer more freedom or less structure, this is a perfect choice. The basic six rules Natalie Goldberg offers are easy to follow. The encouragement she offers is uplifting and less intimidating than some authors stress and, in some cases, demand of those undertaking their approach. Ms Goldberg is a practicing Buddhist and this might put off some readers, but the material transcends any religious belief system. I first encountered this book at a critical period in my life and used her technique of free writing to overcome the tests and difficulties I was facing. The technique is not in any way meant to be a method of therapy. Its intention is to discover our creative abilities, release and expand upon them. Whether the goal is to become a professional writer, or simply a better writer on a personal level, the now classic techniques offer simple and straightforward tools to achieve one's goal.

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Inspirational and very Zen.

ByPaula Cappa Reviewson April 28, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is an intimate approach to the journey of writing. Goldberg is a writing teacher and a practitioner of Japanese Zen. Goldberg believes that learning to write–that’s the course ahead–hinges greatly on “first thoughts.” These first thoughts have tremendous energy and are unencumbered by the ego. I actually like this path because it probably does free up the writer to let go of all the controls that might deter or stagnate a good story. Of course Goldberg says to trust the mind and body and create your own practice. These are the bones where you create the structure for yourself.
Goldberg identifies three things that all writers must do: read a lot; listen well and deeply; write a lot. Zen works from the theory of becoming whole, and this is Goldberg’s theory too. There is a Zen "interconnectedness in your writing–feel it," she says. I've been reading and reviewing lots of writing books lately and this one has not only solid advice but inspiration too.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Some Wonderful Advice

ByAvisEon February 4, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I think I would have rated this book more highly than 3.5 stars if I hadn't read Carol Lamott's Bird by Bird so recently, which seems a bit unfair considering Goldberg's book was written over 20 years earlier. There is an overlap in the advice between books to burrow deeply into your own life experiences and deepest fears to find subject matter and achieve authenticity in your writing. They also stress the point that it's the process of writing that's important, not the outcome, because it's an incredibly rewarding and enriching activity on its own.

I especially appreciated Goldberg's recommendation to do timed writing exercises each day to get the creative juices flowing and find out what it is that you really are compelled to write about. The topics she lists to get started are fun and inventive and I have no doubt her writing workshops are very inspiring. I also enjoyed her exploration of writing as a form of meditation.

The book does get repetitive at times, and like Bird by Bird I think it's geared more towards memoir and life writing rather than fiction, borne out by the fact that Goldberg has only written one novel. The rest of her oeuvre consists of poetry and books on writing instruction and memoirs. Despite this there are many gems to be found among its pages for all writers.

Here are some of my favourites:

"Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist master, said, 'We must continue to open in the face of tremendous opposition. No one is encouraging us to open and still we must peel away the layers of the heart.' It is the same with this way of practice writing. We must continue to open and trust in our own voice and process."

"Think of writing practice as loving arms you come to illogically and incoherently. It's our wild forest were we gather energy before going to prune our garden, write our fine books and novels. It's a continual practice."

"If you are not afraid of the voices inside you, you will not fear the critics outside you."

"We are important and our lives are important, magnificent really, and their details are worthy to be recorded. This is how writers must think, this is how we must sit down with pen in hand. We were here; we are human beings; this is how we lived. Let it be known, the earth passed before us. Our details are important."

"Play around. Dive into absurdity and write. Take chances. You will succeed if you are fearless of failure."

"You should listen to what people say. Take in what they say. (Don't build a steel box around yourself) Then make your own decision. It's your poem and your voice. There are no clear-cut rules; it is a relationship with yourself. What is it you wanted to say? What do you want to expose about yourself?"

"You have to make sure that a book comes from a deep passion or even obsession

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I'm a huge fan of Natalie Goldberg and feel that ...

Bylove2readon June 19, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I'm a huge fan of Natalie Goldberg and feel that although her books have a lot to offer writers in particular, they also have important lessons that can benefit any type of reader (especially one with a creative side). Her messages are clear and meaningful and I honestly feel myself looking at the world in a more meaningful way each time I read something of hers. Thank you, Natalie!

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Writing Down the Bones: A Favorite Classic

ByRachelle Benvenisteon July 10, 2012

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

What writer or would-be writer doesn't know of Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within? It's a classic, a must have, pure joy, and demystifies writing. Natalie writes in her own voice , so we get to know her and enjoy her. She is funny, loves Zen and that will pop up in her book from time to time in relation to writing.

Such an ease to read, as her chapters are one or two pages. You can open it anywhere and savor a morsel of creative inspiration.

Some of her chapter titles give you a sense of her fun, original self, titles such as: "Don't Marry the Fly," "Writing is not a McDonald's Hamburger," Fighting Tofu" and then are those one might expect in a book on writing: "Show, Don't Tell," "Original Detail," "Be Specific."

Read "Writing Down the Bones" and ignite your creative spirit, learn what is strong, effective writing, even ideas on where to write besides your home. This book is one you will treasure and refer to often, feeling relaxed, deliighted, set free and informed.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Are You Already A Writer?

ByHonest Grizon August 25, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

IF yes, this book is superfluous.
If no, and you are just starting out it can be helpful. It can also be helpful if you are doing some introspective therapy work because it tends to ask the all the right questions and helps you think deeply into your experiences and get them down on paper. Often, after you get them out of your head you are free of them.

0Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most recent customer reviews

Five Stars

Excellent way to approach writing.

Published 28 days ago by heidibeth

Loosen Up

Amazing how this book gave me permission to just write. The critic in my head had taken up permanent residents. No more, the lease is cancelled.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Joe Turner

"The only failure in writing is when you stop doing it. Then you fail yourself. You affirm your resistance. Don't do that."

The author Natalie Goldberg captures the aspiring writer with her encouragement and her professional advice.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Rosa Frei

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