Rating: 
Summary: Into the Void and Back Out With Ideas
Review: Follow the advice that Ms Goldberg gives and let yourself become one with the page. There is no paper, no hand, no pen, no block. There is the void, the silence, and the act of creation and when you stop, there is your novel, complete and perfect before you on the page.
Well, alright, perhaps not perfect but this marriage of Zen and common sense, beautifully written and blazingly clear, is a wonderful manual for any writer.Indeed for anyone that takes a moment to look at the world around them, anyone who does more than simply move unthinkingly through their life like a robot, this book is a rare delight.
Once read thoroughly, it can be used randomly as an antidote to writer's block. Open almost any page and begin reading to feel the log jam in your cortex start to shift and jostle. Your fingers flex, your eye sparkles. The words tumble over themselves as ideas outpace your hand and your writing becomes a hellish scrawl. Buy a computer and take a speed typing course.
My thanks to Ms Goldberg for a truly inspirational book.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT WORTH A WRITER'S TIME
Review: Natalie Goldberg apparently has two loves in life: Zen and Writing. She loves both equally. So she probably had a hard time deciding whether to write a book on Zen or a book on writing. She took the easy way out. She wrote a book that had both. And oh how it shows! Seems like almost every chapter she'll have a sentence that starts with "Katagiri Roshi said, . . .", as if I care what her Zen teacher had to say. I also remember her telling us to "use a writing utensil that is comfortable"--or something very similar. Now what person doesn't know that?! A waste of words, if you ask me. In my opinion, one should be VERY skeptical about a writer who has more "how-to-write" books than they do novels. If she really knew what she was talking about, don't you think she'd take her own advice and use it to start cranking out that bestseller that's been in her head for so long? If your kid wanted to play baseball, who would you rather have teach him: a person who WRITES about baseball and plays occasionally on weekends OR someone who PLAYS baseball nearly every day of the week? Same thing goes for writing. Now, if you want to read two good writing books, read ON WRITING by Stephen King and THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE by STRUNK AND WHITE. As Stephen King will tell you, you're either born a competent writer, or you're not--and one who is not born a writer won't make it. But perhaps the BEST advice that anyone can give a writer is this quote from Epictetus: "IF YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER, WRITE!"
Rating:
Summary: A Book of Lifelong Fortunes
Review: "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg is an encouraging book that consists of several short testaments of life lessons written for readers that require a little inspiration. Goldberg has captured the essence of writing within these 170 pages that by boosting and igniting a sparkle in the readers' minds for decades to come. Although, this book was intended for the disheartened writer, it really has many of life's truisms that are reflected during one's lifetime to encourage and uplift writers' spirits. The author is upfront and honest with readers in that "writing can be lonely, isolating, [and] disappointing." Also, she lets readers know that writing is a lot like life -- in order to prefect it takes time and patience. The author provides readers with the realization that their egos and minds sometimes have to wrestle in order to find their creativity. She lets writers know that it is fine and normal to have writer's block at one time or another. She simply encourages writers to remember the quote from Katagiri Roshi who states that writing is like "fighting the tofu. It is fruitless to wrestle with it, you get nowhere." Goldberg has managed to combine her teaching experience and passion for writing into this treasure book. It will give confidence to whomever takes the time to read it. She insightfully provides readers with many of her trial and error insights for writing. If there were readers that need to be jumped-started regarding their confidence or writing ability, this would be the book to read. Readers should be warned to run for cover after reading this book because their creative juices are going to flow freely.
Rating:
Summary: So Good I Couldn't Put It Down
Review: When I took a creative writing course a few years ago, Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones" was a required text. It was so good I couldn't put it down. Natalie points out that all beginning writers are controlled by their "inner censor" and therefore write what they think other people want to hear, or they put a false face on their writing. Natalie does indeed "free the writer within," by giving us permission to "just write sh--" (her words,not mine). The gist of the book is this: just write. Go for volume, not quality. The quality will come as you gain experience and lose your inhibitions. Natalie says everything you write, not just the good stuff but the bad as well, creates a "compost heap of the mind." It stays in your subconscious and mellows and ripens, ready to fertilize your skills and imagination for future writing projects. I actually put Natalie's suggestions into practice and kept a writer's journal for several years (and still do), and wrote thousands of words. I feel that my writing skills did indeed improve and even shine. Natalie also discusses some things to try, like writing in different places, and discusses useful topics like metaphor and simile. Her book is not a technical manual, but rather an easy read, a personal insight into the joy and freedom from uninhibited writing. I always recommend this book first to anyone who expresses an interest in learning to write.
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Summary: The rest of the story.
Review: Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones" was suggested to me many years ago and I still go back to it for suggestions. I can't give up my books on journaling. I think I have read all but one of her books and will eventually get to that one. I love her autobiographical writing as it makes the suggestions real for me. That reminds me, I want to go to my shelves and find her again. Keep writing diarists. Oh yeah. I have actually read my diaries or journals in a bookstore and at conferences so journaling does get one started.
Rating:
Summary: Even if you don't identify yourself as a writer...
Review: This book is terrific for someone who wants to experiment and see what they can do with writing--especially someone who feels at a loss as to where to begin. You don't have to be a writer or plan to be one. It offers a multitude of ideas which allow you to explore approaches to writing that interest you. Natalie has special abilities that are worth knowing about and even to treasure.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the best book on writing
Review: This book is perfect for those just starting out in writing and wanting to know "how." It's perfect for someone who's been writing for decades and needs inspiration. I read this book about once a month, in part or in whole. My copy is so worn out I will have to buy a new one soon. Natalie Goldberg knows exactly what it means to "be a writer," and what it means "to write." She's an incredible guide to just letting go and writing. This is the only writing book I need.
Rating:
Summary: Fine beginning book!
Review: A great book for those who are just beginning to write.
Rating: 
Summary: The On-Ramp
Review: I bought Writing Down the Bones after hearing how wonderful it was a few years ago. I felt it lived up to the recommendations; however, I see it as the on-ramp rather than the actual highway of a writing career. The subtitle is "Freeing the Writer Within," and Ms. Goldberg's book does that. It's the beginning rather than the end. I'd like to say I've become a published novelist since reading this book, but that hasn't happened yet. It did get me out of the writer's "closet" so now I write in public places whenever I feel so inclined. For those who haven't taken the first baby steps toward being a writer, here's the way to get on your feet. Writing Down the Bones will help you "walk that walk and talk that talk."
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: Sometimes the unexpected comes as a good surprise - sometimes not! This was a not. Natalie Goldberg (whose writing is unquestionably good) has knocked together a few pointers in a book the size of a postage stamp and released it under a major publicity blitz. Many of the so-called wisdoms in the book seem to center on meditaion which, if it works for her, is fine. Unfortunately most of us have our feet firmly on terra firma. Some of the ideas she raises are credible and helpful but, to comfortably use this book, you'd need to be a minature person with very small hands! Most of the time, it fell out of my fingers and I dropped off to sleep.
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