“Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg is a book for writers who want to learn about their writer-self. Perhaps Goldberg’s most well-known book, it is a helpful guide to unlocking our writing process. It covers topics such as writing as a practice, the writing process, where to draw inspiration from, and being aware of how we write.
This wonderful book was gifted to me by my sister this Christmas. It is an easy read as its chapters are short and Goldberg’s personable voice makes us feel like we’re listening to a friend and a mentor all at once.
Here are some of the important things that Goldberg shares with us, and I share why this book is a great resource for writers.
Writing Practice
“Writing Down the Bones” begins with a discussion on writing as a practice. Comparing a writer to a runner preparing for a race, Goldberg believes that writing takes lots of practice. This includes a daily writing habit where one must write even if we don’t feel like it. Goldberg also urges us not censor ourselves when we write, as our first thoughts are the raw unedited observations of experience.
The Writing Process
Goldberg transitions into a discussion on the writing process. She breaks it down into several small sections. The section called “Composting” is particularly enlightening. Here, Goldberg describes the writing process as “composting”; a process where the mind takes in experiences and over time processes them consciously or not, then produces ideas and thoughts from those experiences.
Goldberg cautions that this process takes time and requires patience, determination and honesty. She goes on to talk about “artistic sustainability”, stating that writers must be willing to write crap for a long time, and be willing to write through our insecurities, fears and resistance. Most importantly, for any writer, one must write without fear of failure.
Where to Draw Inspiration From
Goldberg goes on to discuss how we generate writing material. She summarizes it by saying that to be a good writer requires that we “read a lot, listen well and write a lot.” She explains that inpiration is everywhere, but it requires that the writer be an objective observer and a receptive listener, without judging their observations. This, she suggests, leads to writing the truth of life. She also suggests that writers learn and draw material from the writers they most admire and enjoy. It is that interest in their work that gives us insight into ourselves.
Being Aware of How We Write
Goldberg encourages us to be aware of how we write. For instance, she discusses the power of details in how they help capture the truth of life and experiences. She suggests that when we write, we get specific about naming people and things. When we call people, places and things by their names, it grounds us and gives life to your story. Goldberg also talks about the importance of verbs and how they animate a sentence by giving it energy through action.
Overall: A Great Resource for Writers
Goldberg titles her chapters in a fun way. They are either specific to the chapter’s topic like “Writing as a Practice” or a metaphor for a topic like “Don’t Marry the Fly” which is about not getting lost in the details and recognizing what is important to mention in our writing and what is not. There are parts of the book where Goldberg appears to get lost in metaphors and doesn’t circle back in layman terms so that it gives the reader a clear understanding of the point she’s making. For those chapters, I figured that perhaps they just did not resonate with me. However, I found myself highlighting many parts of this books as I found them very insightful.
I’m still reading “Writing Down the Bones” and I can’t wait to learn more of what Goldberg suggests a person can do to release the writer within. I have been using some of her techniques to help diversify my process and to learn more about myself as a writer—most importantly, discovering what I have to say that’s lying dormant inside of me. This process feels more organic, however, it requires a great deal of patience and faith in the process that things come together eventually. So, if you’re a new writer or even a seasoned one who wants to learn more about their writer self, I definitely recommend “Writing Down the Bones” as a resource.
Have you read “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within”? Let me know what you thought about it in the comments below!
Hi! Shantal here. I’m a writer and a storyteller. I created Shantal Writes to share my experiences with writing fiction. I also provide new writers with tips, tools, and writing advice. I hope you find something helpful while you’re here!
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