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

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

599 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: 599 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Spirituality
- #18 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Publishing & Books > Authorship
- #54 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Fiction

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Top customer reviews

Great Mix of the Practical and Inspirational

ByJognJanon September 2, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is made up of short (2-3 page) chapters full of practical advice written in a humorous, self-deprecating way. Even if you are an experienced writer and have read other books about writing, you are sure to want this on your bookcase (or in your Kindle). Given the author's Zen practice, you will also come away with some inspirational nuggets. Example: "Don't identify too strongly with your work. Stay fluid behind those black-and-white words. They are not you. They were a great moment going through you. A moment you were awake enough to write down and capture." The book is not really for someone wanting to get published but for someone interested in the process of writing and making sense of their lives.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Read this if you seriously want to produce. AWESOME!!!

ByJeff Richardsonon July 18, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I think the negative reviews on here are missing the bigger picture. So what if she relates writing through the zen mind thing and speaks a lot about spirituality. The point is to ultimately to get your ass in the chair and write. Quit thinking about it and do it. She also elaborates on writing whatever is in your mind...to just let go and let it come out. Think about your favorite writers. Are they real? Does some crazy stuff come out? Look at best selling writers like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, or even the chick that wrote 50 Shades.....did it takes some courage to write what they do? Don't u think some people think they are crazy? I can remember reading Stephen King's books and thinking this dude lost his mind. I love Stephen King's books. Is their writing the same s*** you read everywhere else? They write some pretty real stuff-stuff that only they could come up with. It's intensely personal, honest and unique to them. They had to dig deep and put down the bones regardless of what others thought. Charles Bukowski comes to mind. Dennis Lehane. James Crumley. Honest, real, raw. Read this book and get down the bones. Stop reading all this how to stuff. Learn writing by doing it. Make it real and personal. People want to read what YOU have to say, not what someone tell you will be a best seller or some dumb s***. Put your heart and soul out there and see what happens. At least you will be sincere and true to yourself and hopefully won't put the same generic crap that everyone else is putting out there.

0Comment 32 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

So, You've Always Wanted to Write

ByBrooks McDanielon April 6, 2012

Verified Purchase

You've always thought you'd like to write--even if just for your grandkids. Natalie Goldberg is the guide for you. First and best she helps you get the "inner critic" off your shoulder and you're back. WRITING DOWN THE BONES is full of prompts to get you started and to keep you going and maybe even get a group together to read to each other. Goldberg has been working with writing groups for thirty years. Her advice, based on experience is wise, insightful and fun to read and her second book on writing memoir, OLD FRIEND FROM FAR AWAY will take you as far as you want to go as well as lead you "home."
Good writing!
(I bought two new copies through Amazon. I used them in teaching my writing class. Delivery was so quick and the books were brand new "used" from a secondary- Amazon seller. What great service!)

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

Goldberg shows us the bones of writing

ByChrison May 3, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I'm not half way through it yet, but I am enjoying the book. Miss Goldberg makes sense, and she writes for the writer in all of us. She's trying to reach that part that is inside each person. She makes no snobby statements about writing. She is opening this world up for each person who wants to write. If you are a newbie or a seasoned author you will enjoy this book.

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Write, Write, Write!

ByAmardeep Singhon August 30, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Wild Mind gives a great deal of food for thought for getting in touch with your subconsicous, which is where your creativity comes from. There are dozens of suggestions for writing practice which Natalie Goldberg bases on the basic principle of, "Write furiously without stopping. Write, write, write."

This is the second time I have owned this book. When I had it the first time, I did the writing practice, and it turned me into a verbal monster!

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Just do it

ByWendellon May 22, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I just needed another voice to tell me to write and Natalie's was an enjoyable voice. There are are no writing techniques, just exercises to get you to write. Because if you want to learn to write you have to write

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Not as good as I thought it would be

Bydarswordson October 19, 2011

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I don't know why I came out of the book disappointed. Maybe because it has been raved to me. Maybe it is that we have used the exercises in our writers' group (I do have fondness for those.) Maybe it is due to the fact that it was written so long ago that a lot of it felt dated. I got the message: Write. It helped me look forward to NaNoWriMo. But the quotes of her guru so often felt weak. It would have rang truer if these thoughts were her own.

I read this on Kindle but I do have the paperback so I do plan to work through a few more exercises during November.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

My go-to book for any problems I stumble over in ...

ByCarol Ann Laferriereon May 2, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

My go-to book for any problems I stumble over in my writing...will probably need a new copy soon, as this one is starting to show its frequent use.

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Most recent customer reviews

Five Stars

very helpful book. will order from this company again.

Published 14 days ago by carol howard

A Great Follow-Up to Writing Down the Bones

After reading Natalie Goldberg's classic Writing Down the Bones, I knew that I needed to read more of what she had to say about writing. Wild Mind did not disappoint me.Read more

Published 19 days ago by William

Nice!

My husband writes for The Mad Anthony's. Either he can't put this book down, or he's being kind. But he read it in two days.

Published 22 days ago by Bagheeratwins

Wonderful

Natalie is such a unique writer and teacher. I just bought another copy of this as I gave away my other one. Just bought two of her newest books and can't wait to receive them.

Published 23 days ago by Amazon Customer

This is the book I suggest to beginning writers.

This is the book I suggest to beginning writers. It is a lovely mix of craft and common sense and support

Published 25 days ago by B.Olivas

A must read...

Can't miss with Natalie Goldberg.

Published 1 month ago by Journaler

Five Stars

item as described

Published 1 month ago by wm

Four Stars

I am working through the steps and learning a lot

Published 1 month ago by Susan J. Farrell

Calming meditation on writing

Natalie Goldberg delivers again a calming, sweetness that makes me want to sit down and write. Even though we know writing is much harder than just sitting down, she gives forth...Read more

Published 1 month ago by S.Ramsey

Five Stars

A very useful book for aspiring writers.

Published 1 month ago by Black Adder

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