Dibos- Report #1

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

Natalie Goldberg

Natalie Goldberg gives us permission to be writers. For anyone who needs that, myself included, this is an excellent navigation guide through all the negative things we may have heard, not only about our own writing, but writing in general. After reading this book, it makes one wonder, when did writing lose its fun? How did it get to be such a monotonous exercise that we plod through with the enthusiasm of a carrot? She is full of great images and hilarious examples of writing in all its facets. It is impossible not to want to imitate her style. It seems like she has taken some of the best examples from her some five-feet of stacked journals and poured her heart and soul into la cr?me of them öthe ones that perhaps grab you to the bone?the essence of all good writing. She includes her own evolution as a writer?from struggling in confidence to facing critics?the whole gamut. And she tells it so well. Indeed, after reading through her short-story type chapters, you get the feeling that you have known this person on a very deep and personal level. It is hard not to fall in love with this kind of writing, as the author becomes not only a first-person narrator, but a close friend to your heart. To put it succinctly, I dare anyone to read this and not feel tremendously bolstered in confidence that, yes, you too are a writer, and you will have an audience if you would just do it.

For the beginning adult writer, this is the bible. It's sassy, forward, direct, and humorous. She emphasizes practice everyday, even to setting limits or framing the time between rewarding tasks. I liked how she compares writing practice, (and it is all practice), to running three miles a day. Although you will find many reasons not to run, once you are heated up in the middle of it, you enjoy it, and feel better afterwards. Writing is the same way. How to keep the practice going? Form a writers' group, exchange readings with others, impose deadlines, take classes. Once you give yourself permission, the possibilities are endless.

This is also a practical guide that covers everything from pre-writing to revising, and all the steps in between. The whole definition of writing is broadened in its widest permutations, from what instruments to use to what to observe when not writing.

I would highly recommend this book on everyone's writing bookshelf.

"I write because I am crazy, schizophrenic, and I know it and accept it and I have to do something with it other than go to the loony bin" Caloo, calay!