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Summary: an AMAZING book!
Review: i absolutely LOVED this book. natalie goldberg does an amazing job at teaching beginners how to start their journey in the creative writing process, or just reinforce the pros. this book made ME, the queen of all laziness and procrastination, get up and start writing! the inspiration and energy in her words is just too contagious. her passion for writing comes across as something special; something everyone needs to do... and she is right. i highly recommend this book!
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Summary: BIG THINGS CAN COME IN LITTLE PACKAGES!
Review: This is a small compact book; pocket-sized or purse size containing an innovative collection of observations on writing and practical tips. The approaches are cleverly designed to motivate writers to begin the creative process. Chapters like, "A Story Circle" or "The Samurai", or "Writing Marathons",or "Be an Animal" or "A meal you love" help writers find their voice. Ms Goldberg indicates that everything she says, as a teacher is aimed at people trusting their own voices and writing from it. The book is packed with insightful devices. Get a copy and start writing about your life experiences.
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Summary: writing begins here
Review: An excellent foundational writing book for those who want to begin writing but have little practice or knowledge on how to start. Although it offers very helpful strategies for beginning to write, this book's basic rule is that there are no rules for writing...just do it! Her own highly personable style of writing makes Natalie Goldberg your personal writing coach and motivating guide. She will have you 'writing down your bones' before you even finish reading her book.
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Summary: Good for Beginners
Review: I disagree with those who laud the book unquestionably and those who denounce it similarly. I suppose it's good for beginning writers who are still stuck in the trap of thinking that there is some grand set of ten rules of dos and don'ts as to how to write or story or a poem. For those who have already freed themselves from the silly restrictions of what a poem or story should or shouldn't be, or the usual typographical, grammatical and syntactical restrictions usually placed upon writers, this book will only reinforce what you already know, that it doesn't matter whether you write sparse sentences like Hemingway or intricate and adorned and endless descriptions like Joyce, that all that matters is whether an honest truth or feeling or incident is put forth, by whatever means. The book offers excellent advice as to how to "write down the bones" as she calls it, the essentials of a situation or feeling or impression. She is not suggesting, however (as some of the criticisms seem to say) that one simply write from the top of their head and call whatever they've done a finished piece. She is very aware of the strength of a sudden inspiration to produce a finished product immediately, but she is also aware that this kind of inspiration is rare, and so she stresses the need for rewriting, for specific details rather than abstractions, and most of all for the old writer's adage "show don't tell." She is hardly suggesting that writer's become undisciplined slaves to the whims of their muses. From my own experience I've learned that while Thomas Edison said that work is 1% in inspiration and 99% perspiration and Jean Cocteau said pretty much the opposite, the truth is in the middle. After all, T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound painstakingly edited the first four parts of The Waste Land while the last part came out essentially complete on the first try. The balance is between the inspiration and the editing mind and knowing when to yield to which. That to me is the key to Goldberg's book-instead of drilling you on what to do, what to avoid, what to and not to write about (like another more "academic" guide to writing would do) she suggests that you free your mind and write whatever you want and, being realistic about it (she frequently says that most of what you write will be garbage), slowly form and shape what you can into art. She actually has the guts to tell writers that they can and should make up their own rules and that with the proper self-discovered discipline what they write can become art. It does get a little cheesy at times, I know, but this can be forgiven for the actual substance and advice that it offers. And finally, for those who were mad at the constant zen references and suggestions, I would only say that buying a book written by a student of zen and published by Shamabhala and then being surprised and even put off by references to her practice and its application in her life is like buying a book published by Thomas Nelson and then wondering why the hell they're talking about Christianity so much. And in fact it's actually refreshing to read about a truly spiritual person succeeding in applying her religious beliefs into her everyday life without condemning half the world as she does so.
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Summary: makes a good gift
Review: A friendly guide to finding a voice in words. Picked this book up a number of years ago and have read it several times (though not lately). Have enjoyed giving copies as gifts to friends, just out of the blue, because it is inspiring but not in a wishy-washy way.
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Summary: I Admit--I Really Enjoyed This Book
Review: I was handed Writing Down the Bones two years ago by a librarian friend of mine, because all of a sudden I realized I couldn't live fully unless I wrote the story that had been rattling around inside my head for six long years. Nathalie Goldberg inspired me--yes, I WAS a woman low on self-esteem in regard to my writing, and Nathie's style was so open and warm and encouraging to me. So what's wrong with that? I don't know, but some reviewers here seem to think that's a bad thing. It wasn't a bad thing for me! At any rate, I enjoyed the book greatly, respected Nathalie's warmth and honesty in what she knows as a writer, and I appreciated her getting back her "beginner's mind," to help many a hesitant writer bite the bullet and live their dreams. I don't find I write a lot by hand in notebooks (writing practice, as Nathalie calls it). I don't find that I can get in touch with my story any better if I do that. I just sit and I write my story, read good authors who encourage and discuss the PROCESS, and I've been very pleased with what I've been able to accomplish. I don't have too many writers around me (tho I have the honor of meeting with two very talented local women during the summer months) and Nathalie's book(s) give me a boost when I feel all alone in my love of the craft. For those who want more detailed, nitty-gritty explanation on bogged down story lines, dealing with editors, etc AND a BIG dose of encouragement, I also HIGHLY recommend "Dare to Be a Great Writer," by Leonard Bishop. As for Nathalie's Zen focus, I'm a Christian (and considered quite conservative by all accounts) but I didn't find her religious expression dominated or ruined the book for me.
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Summary: Arguably, the Best Book on Writing!
Review: This book is so honestly written that no one can make it through without laughing and being inspired. For any level writer, or even for someone who doesn't consider themself a writer, this book is great! The author talks of her struggles and triumphs in a very genuine, vulnerable way. It quickly becomes apparent that we all have very similar problems as we sit down and try to put thoughts onto paper. But this book helps its readers to overcome those problems. Filled with exercises, insights, and encouragement, you won't find a book on writing that will connect with you any more than this one. The author has a powerful talent, and the wise writer will allow her to share that talent with them. And if nothing else, this book is fun!
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: This book makes you want to write. If you need inspiration to start writing, then this is the book for you. After the first chapter, I had put the book down and started to write. However, the chapters are almost the same, just with differnt stories in them to get the point across.
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Summary: Makes you feel good about writing, but it's not for everyone
Review: First of all, let me begin with what you are not going to find in this book. There aren't any Writer's Digest type of articles here or heavy discussions on plot or character. This is a book made of the stuff it suggests you to do, writing practice, understood as free form, stream of consciousness writing. Its inspirational essays guide you through Mrs Goldberg's creativity process and encourage you to start writing and discover yourself in the process. Some people won't like its cheerful, honest tone, but for some of us writing is more than just craft. If this is your approach, this book will be worth every cent (and I wrote a poem on cheese that has been a great success as a result of this writing practice).
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Summary: A well-earned reputation for greatness
Review: When I picked up this book at the age of 12, I was unaware of the fact that it had already become a sort of writers' bible in the industry. Later, when I did become aware, I was not at all suprised. Natalie blends the practical with the spiritual in a way that only an artist can appreciate and desperately need. That rainy afternoon I first began to read it, which I remember well, led to years of writing and stacks of spiral notebooks in wobbly towers that nearly reach the ceiling of my basement. Let others label it as "new-age" or "self-indulgent" but for myself, and for thousands of others, it has been the key to a life of writing. Natalie gives us all permission, and I for one am so glad.
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