Will I love Writing Down the Bones?

When I decided to write my debut historical novel, I was at a loss for how to begin and questioned if I had what it took.

Thankfully, my determination more than made up for my lack of knowledge and confidence. Celebrating 40 years on the shelves since its original publication date, Writing Down the Bones helped free the writer within me, giving me permission to approach my project in a way that felt right for me.

As Goldberg points out, you can’t divorce yourself from your own parts. Even if you’re a giraffe! Her cleverness and humor amused me from… show more.

This book had me laughing from the first paragraph.

I had no plan to write novels then. I just wanted to write in a beautiful leather journal a good friend gave me to record my thoughts on my trip to Greece. It was a trip I’d planned with others, one in particular. But when he decided to leave, I went anyway. Alone.

A friend of mine knew the trip would be emotionally and technically difficult. Travelling alone in a non-English-speaking country can be dicey. She hoped that this book would provide relief from the debris of my personal life. And… show more.

When I read this book, I felt as though I’d come home somehow. Goldberg has such a natural, conversational voice while sharing life-changing truths. She shared in a way that embodied her message and I realized I wanted to do that with my calling. While writing about writing, she is also offering instruction that is valuable for anyone who wants to work on any art, craft, or business. Using her years of Zen meditation as a backdrop, she instructs the reader on going beyond self-judgment, training yourself to be excellent, and staying present. It’s a powerful book for anyone who… show more.

Of the many books I read in the early days of my creative and spiritual awakening, Writing Down the Bones is the one that probably had the most profound impact on me—as both a writer and, ultimately, a teacher of writing. Goldberg’s Buddhist-inspired approach to creativity helped me break me through a decades-long writer’s block to access a creative potential I had long denied. Every one of my books, including my books for writers, owes Natalie Goldberg a huge debt of gratitude. 

Goldberg has a mystic touch, a bit of Zen, and a lot of freedom in her creative approach. This book is not about grammar, or plot, or “rules of writing,” but instead about the mind of an artist, what it takes to shut down the negative and constricting voices and give free rein to your wildest and most surprising ideas.