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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer within
 
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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer within (Paperback)

by Natalie Naimark-Goldberg (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 171 pages
  • Publisher: Shambhala Publications Inc; 1 edition (30 Jun 1988)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0877733759
  • ISBN-13: 978-0877733751
  • Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 13.7 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 65,185 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Wherein we discover that many of the "rules" for good writing and good sex are the same: Keep your hand moving, lose control and don't think. Goldberg brings a touch of both Zen and well... *eroticism* to her writing practice, the latter in exercises and anecdotes designed to ease you into your body, your whole spirit, while you create, the former in being where you are, working with what you have, and writing from the moment. --Ali Perry-Gallagher --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
" A life changer of a book, for anyone who's ever had a notion to write. Every page so alive, buzzing with such verve, such zest, such Zen." — "Urthona" " Goldberg's observations on how to write more naturally are informed by her own experience as a teacher and writer and by her study of Zen meditation. She offers radically new perspectives of the actual act of writing." — "New Age Journal"

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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer within
64% buy the item featured on this page:
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Customer Reviews

37 Reviews
5 star:
 (30)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (5)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (37 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars a fantastic launch pad, 15 Nov 2006
By A reader (brighton, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer within (Pocket Classics) (Paperback)
This is an excellent introduction for anyone who's ever wanted to write fiction or poetry but was afraid to start. Its friendly tone, direct advice and focus on freewriting have an unnerving capacity to get you going and its short chapters also make it ideal for dipping into once you've finished. It's also exceedingly well-written; intriguing flashes of autobiography lift it above the mass of creative writing text books on the market.

Which isn't to say it's perfect: Goldberg's concentration on generating material means that the twin processes of crafting and drafting are rather neglected in favour of producing more and more freewrites. Anyone wishing to produce work of publishable quality as opposed to writing therapeutically for themselves will probably find that they eventually 'outgrow' it.

Nevertheless, as a book for getting started again, and as a pleasurable read, it remains the best of its kind on the market. Well worth a look.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, 5 Jun 2003
By D. Fenton "davef_uk" (Sheffield, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I loved the book so much I've bought copies for all my friends.
Many of the chapters pointed to problems in and solutions for my own writing. Especially liked the chapter on self doubt. Her references back to her Buddist beliefs and philosophies really caught my attention. All in all an excellent book for writers or potential writers of all levels.
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97 of 116 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, 2 Nov 2003
By A Customer
I've written and published five novels and two works of non-fiction. I still enjoy reading what other people have to say about the art and the craft of writing, but this book really is the most self-indulgent, self-absorbed load of old tosh I've ever read on the subject. The author's attitude is a mixture of New Age flakiness and an unpleasantly dictatorial attitude. She even tells you what kind of notebook to buy. Buy the sort of notebook YOU want, trust yourself and take advice from people who know what they're talking about, eg Dorothea Brande in Becoming A Writer and Stephen King in On Writing.
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Empty inspiration
I am a published writer. Years ago, when I was still struggling with words, I was recommended this book by a bookseller, who thought it was wonderful. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Angus Dunn

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring.
I haven't had any creative writing urges for over 8 years. I bought this book with the hope that I would find these urges again. Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. Moore

1.0 out of 5 stars utter drivel
would have gave it a 0 star rating, but starts at 1.
one of these days i will find a book about how to write written by someone who has written a book of some note. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2006 by lgrecoix

5.0 out of 5 stars Natalie My Guru
Warm, witty, fun, and above all, one of the best books on the market for new and not so new writers. Follow Natalie's advice and you won't go wrong - you will fly. Read more
Published on 2 May 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars Become one with the page
Follow the advice that Ms Goldberg gives and let yourself become one with the page. There is no paper, no hand, no pen, no block. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2001 by W. Weinstein

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book you will ever need to get you writing.
This book doesn't tell you how to become a writer, nor how to write. That's because it lets you know, if you are open to it, that you already are a writer. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
I wish that I had read this book years ago. I feel that suddenly all the constraints that had been holding me back from writing have finally been stripped away. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2000 by K. Williams

1.0 out of 5 stars superficial
This book did nothing for me. Perhaps because I read it AFTER reading Dorothea Brande's "Becoming a writer" which is so much better! Read more
Published on 14 Jul 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlearning the rules of writing
When I finished the book, it amazed me that for someone who doesn't actually teach any formal writing skills or structure, Natalie had had a profound imapct on my writing... Read more
Published on 28 Sep 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Natalie is the queen of the rule-breakers.
By teaching us how to flow rather than structure our writing, we are able to dip into the infinite well of creativity. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 1999

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