Writing Down the Bones: advice on writing by Natalie Goldberg
Writing Down the Bones. Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg - this book had been on my to-read list for a long time after Shaun Levin recommended it in one of his writing classes. Four months later, I came across a 1986 copy in a charming Mexican bookstore while on vacation.
This is undoubtedly a book full of wisdom, not only about writing but also about living well. I’m glad I have my own copy because this is one of those books that I’ll definitely return to. With that, I’m sharing two lessons below: one exercise to help you unblock your writing and one important reflection with which I’d like to keep approaching writing in the future. I really hope you will explore the other lessons on your own.
Commit to the practice rather than the outcome
Goldberg shows us that writing doesn’t have to be so hard. Instead of stressing about having to compose a specific story or poem, all we have to do is sit down to write and write for a given period of time. That’s all there is to it. And, similarly to Anne Lamott's advice and her shitty first drafts, we are also allowed to write really bad stuff. The practice entails writing a lot and focusing on quantity above quality. When you sit down to write with anticipation of finishing a specific piece, you almost always end up disappointed, which only discourages you from writing again. A simple trick is to time yourself. Writing appears to be more manageable in this way. Here is an exercise proposed by the author to assist you in doing so. Its purpose is to uncover what's really on your mind by going beyond your initial thoughts.
Writing is your Friend
With this book, I'm learning to see writing as my friend, a haven, the only thing that brings serenity to my life. I used to believe that writing was all about beautiful sentences and intricate constructions. Today, as I devote myself to the practice, I've come to understand that it is all about going deeper into yourself, trusting yourself and your voice, and being honest with yourself. And that is exactly what writing down the bones really means.
I felt strangely at ease when reading the book. I had complete faith in the author's words, and I could only detect genuine intentions in them. "Just like the world is awaiting spring right now, I am welcoming a new driving force into my life," I thought to myself as I finished.
