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Summary: Incredibly motivating
Review: This book suggests the crazy notion that ANYONE can write! What more do you need to lift your spirits - and your pen? Natalie's quick, moving suggestions in every chapter got me not only inspired to create, but made me develop a stronger passion for literature and writing in general. I originally looked at this book for advice/information on the creative process, not just writing. What a wonderful creative boost this was. However, the ideas full of fire and motivation seem to die out somewhere in the first half of the book. (It's not just me - I tried to pick it up a few weeks later, beginning halfway.) The second half of the book seems to just be 'filler'.. Still I recommend it if you feel like the pen is calling you..
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Summary: For people that want to be REAL writers
Review: This book is probably not for the writer-hobbyist. This is for the type of person that wants to become a real writer, i.e. writing is the central core of their life, everything else is secondary. So, in that sense I didn't find it as useful as a book that gives tips and exercises for developing some facet of your fiction writing skill. Nevertheless, Natalie Goldberg is inspiring and truthful. She admonishes to write, write, write, even if it's crap at first. She contends that you will become a true writer only be being raw and giving into the moment. Sometimes she forgets grammar, punctuation and even margins in her writing journals while letting the words flow raw and uninhibited onto the page. I Recommend this book for everyone that takes writing seriously. Novices or hobbyists would be happier with a book like "What if?" which supplies many exercises to develop writing skills.
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Summary: My favorite book on writing out of hundreds!
Review: I've been a professional writer in film, tv, theater and print for over 25 years and Natalie Goldberg's book still has a place of honor on my resource bookshelf. I find myself returning to this book again and again (most recently last month!) to dip into her unique combination of practical and creative advice - and a fabulous bag of tricks to jumpstart stalled writing, improve quality, boost output, and live a sane life while getting those words on the page. I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop with her in Taos some years ago, and a project I was stalled on was kicked into life by her wise and challenging exercises. But I can't go to Taos everytime I need a dose of Natalie. Fortunately, just this book can do it for me.... Goldberg is smart, funny, wise, and simply a genius at teaching writing. I could not recommend this book more highly - and to all writers - young or old, new or returning, stalled, or unsure, or anyone who just wants to be better and go deeper. Don't hesitate. Take the plunge. .
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Summary: Unctuous drivel!
Review: Having actually been a part of a writer's workshop where "Bones" was prominently used, each workshop group had to two boxes of kleenex on the table--this is expressive writing gone amok--writing as therapy taken to a level of parody. "so it is good to be a little dumb when you want to write. You carry tha slow person inside you who needs time..." Not much different from "breathe deep the gathering gloom, watch lights fade from every room..." Hey, expressivism has it's place, but this kind of psycho-babble-new-age-mumbo-jumbo does little or nothing to build critical writing-thinking skills. Believe me, I know. Now, begin to write! Explore the little muchkin between your chakras and let go....PAH.
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Summary: A very informative and in your face book.
Review: Truly this book is going to help every single aspiring author to free the writer within. After you read it, you will want to start writing right away, and I have started doing the exercises before I even finished the book. Ms. Goldberg really has a way of reaching into your fears and anxietys about getting those words on paper, and she is a very real person with some very solid advice. A Buddhist herself, she brings some Zen wisdom into the book also, which is meaningful and helps her to succeed in her attempt to get you to pick up that pen and go! She is successful at giving you the "permission" you need and telling you how to begin. Authors suffering from "writer's block" will even find this book helpful. Those who never had an interest in writing will find they do after reading this. It's informative, there is humor, there is much straight talk, and best of all for me, it comes in an itty bitty pocket size wonder. Hurry up and get this one before word gets out and it sells out everywhere!
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Summary: Very Inspiring!!!
Review: I am now beginning to explore my interest in writing, and all the possibilities that it has to offer. I have always known, writing was a great thing! But, my ego always seeped into my mind and made excuses of why I should not write, I am not good enough, others will think that is stupid, I can't spell....etc. Natalie does a wonderful job of helping you piece things together....make writing a habit.....it doesn't matter what it is about....as long as you do it. I also like this book, because it had short and to the point chapters.....a lot of awesome suggestions and pep talks to keep one going. You will look at things/life much differently after you read this book
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Summary: Blah blah...please don't preach
Review: There may be a few nuggets of wisdom about writing nestled somewhere in this book (many reviews seem to think so), but Goldberg's work is so fraught with pseudo-spiritual musings, you'll have trouble finding it. If you want to mysticize the craft of writing, by all means read this. But if you want to learn how to write, look elsewhere.
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Summary: Nice little book
Review: Certainly an inspiration for when you're feeling down, uninspired or alone (not that a writer would ever feel those things...). Beautiful and inspiring, Ms. Goldberg brings a touch of eclectic lucidness to writing. And added bonus: the size of this book makes it great for throwing in your bag, briefcase or purse (right alongside your notebook of course :o)
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Summary: chris wilson's reveiw of "writing down the bones"
Review: Writing down the bones by Natalie Goldberg is a great book for some one who wants to get started writing. In order to be able to use her technique you must first be able to get uneducated. From the start of the book it makes you want to go and write and if your like me that is pretty hard to do but she did it. The subtracting of the rules of writing is the big thing her only rule there are no rules. She tells you its ok to write outside the margins, she tells you to expect to write garbage and everything you write will not be a great novel. What I think makes her so effective is her Zen training she quotes Zen master Katagiri Roshi a lot. Even though she speaks of her religion she did not have the tendency to look down on other religions. This Zen training is what I believed help her focus and block out what she learns. I really liked this book and recommend it to anyone who has the desire to write.
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Summary: Feel it in your bones
Review: Ms. Goldberg takes us through the easy answers about how to avoid bad writing and gets right down to the bones. She clearly lays the groundwork for soulful, insightful writing that will captivate your readers. But it's hard work. Natalie doesn't let us shirk. That she is a worthy mentor is abundantly clear as you read her book. Her sentences are clear and easy to read, yet flow smoothly on leading you through the story and her thoughts. In true Zen fashion, we learn that the secret to great writing is subtracting rules for writing, not adding them. It is not easy to teach us, or anyone else, to unlearn what we've worked so hard to acquire. But Natalie's Zen training comes to her aid and she shares her insights with us in this excellent book on writing.
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