cross-posted from: https://kbin.social/m/13thFloor/t/478679

With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively. She offers suggestions, encouragement, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer’s craft: on writing from “first thoughts” (keep your hand moving, don’t cross out, just get it on paper), on listening (writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write), on using verbs (verbs provide the energy of the sentence), on overcoming doubts (doubt is torture; don’t listen to it)—even on choosing a restaurant in which to write. Goldberg sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the value of their lives.

This book has been a staple of creative writing course for nearly 30 years. The free copy linked above is readily available online from multiple sources and has been in circulation online for over 2 decades, so I feel it’s justified to provide the link in the interests of helping writers and students unable to afford a copy a tool to improve their craft.

However, in the interests of supporting the author, here’s a link to get your own physical copy from her website:

Natalie Goldberg - Writing Down the Bones