“Writing Down The Bones,” by Natalie Goldberg

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg is both writing instruction and zen principles with a sprinkling of personal narrative thrown in. Moreover, the “commemorative,” version on Audible that I purchased includes commentary from Goldberg about the various essays originally included in, “Bones,” as well as an hour-long interview with the author after the completion of the book.

Pros:

• The vast majority of the writing advice is both practical and useful. It can sometimes come off as a bit, “new age,” but there is still plenty to take in and digest.
• It is fascinating to hear the author reflect back on her own experiences and process in the commemorative version. The audiobook was recorded 14 years after the original work was published, so Goldberg has had ample time to think, reflect, and write.
• I really appreciate the warmth Goldberg wrote and presented this book with

Cons:

• I wish there were more chapter markers, instead of just sessions. My preference would have been for each of the essays to be their own chapter. This would have made it much easier to refer back to a particular essay or idea
• This wasn’t a problem for me, but the book is not particularly technical in nature. In other words, “Bones,” doesn’t talk about things like grammar, sentence structure, or syntax. Instead, it discusses the art of writing, and how to listen to, develop, and trust your own voice.
• (nit-pick) Sometimes, the break between the essay and the commentary wasn’t clear.

Conclusion:

This book was recommended by my writing professor, and I can see why. Goldberg’s mix of practical advice, writing experience, and warmth means that this book is great for any writer (but may be especially useful for poets and those seeking to write a memoir).

Check it out here.

You May Also Enjoy:

• “The Writing Life,” by Annie Dillard
• “Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk,” by Danielle Krysa

Affiliate Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate links in my content. This won’t cost you anything, but it helps me to offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!