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witzelsucht's review
2.0
Though this is a more positive and well-written book than Anne Lamott's almost malevolent Bird by Bird (which I'm still annoyed I read), I came away with the same net result: learning very little and feeling like these autobiographical, write-your-feelings, self-help author-gurus are the most annoying people alive. Spare me the poetry exercises about your childhood and write about shit that rocks, like a haunted car that tries to kill you or something.
Writing Down the Bones is OK for bite-sized nuggets of insight. There are some genuinely heartwarming and thought-provoking bits that made me contemplate a third star. But there's a whole lot of motivational platitudes and navel-gazing waffle to get through to reach the material of substance - the actually interesting parts about craft and practical process. It didn't leave me with a bad taste in my mouth, but it didn't leave me with much of anything, really.
Writing Down the Bones is OK for bite-sized nuggets of insight. There are some genuinely heartwarming and thought-provoking bits that made me contemplate a third star. But there's a whole lot of motivational platitudes and navel-gazing waffle to get through to reach the material of substance - the actually interesting parts about craft and practical process. It didn't leave me with a bad taste in my mouth, but it didn't leave me with much of anything, really.
laila4343's review
5.0
Definitely the most encouraging book on writing I've ever read. If you're at all hesitant, shy, doubtful, anxious, and you want to write, get this book. It's got a wonderful, open spirit and heart about it, and inspired me many times to just pick up the pen and GO!
sarahareinhard's review
5.0
I was annoyed by the Zen stuff, but when I stepped back from that and took what she was saying just as wisdom, it was pretty good. It gave me some great ideas about how to approach writing and how to keep on plugging along. Reviewed on my blog, here.
wafflefonfabre's review
1.0
Did not Finish. This book too much biography for me. I don't care about the author being religious or her heritage yet she talks so much about it. Its annoying and every advice in here is very basic. Don't read. Anything by Bell and Refuse to be done are better and less biography.
thebookhaze's review
5.0
All the times I've started and not finished this book, was because I got too eager to write and then never got around to finishing the book.
I love the stories, the advice, the thoughts and ideas shared in this book. I love the obvious passion for writing and the feeling that writing is something inside of us that just has to be done. We can make all the excuses we want, but we have to write, we just do.
I've picked this book up so often, and each time I did, it motivated me to start writing again. The problem was, it was the key to getting my engine started, but it wasn't the petrol to keep me going. I had to get my own petrol. I had to keep myself motivated, inspired, and disciplined. I had to get rid of the fear of writing.
Recently, things happened in my life and I got a revelation. I have to write. There's nothing else I can do. I have no idea how I'm going to do it. I have no idea what I'm going to write about, but just the fact, just knowing that I do have to write, that it's the only thing I *can* do... destroyed most of my resistance to it.
I still resist, I have to admit, and I still fear... But I'm working on it, and every day I'm losing more and more of my fear and resistance.
Thanks to this book, thanks to the wisdom and the gems and the inspiration from the stories in the book. Thanks to Natalie Goldberg, and to the hundreds of authors out there whose books inspire me and give meaning to my life.
I love the stories, the advice, the thoughts and ideas shared in this book. I love the obvious passion for writing and the feeling that writing is something inside of us that just has to be done. We can make all the excuses we want, but we have to write, we just do.
I've picked this book up so often, and each time I did, it motivated me to start writing again. The problem was, it was the key to getting my engine started, but it wasn't the petrol to keep me going. I had to get my own petrol. I had to keep myself motivated, inspired, and disciplined. I had to get rid of the fear of writing.
Recently, things happened in my life and I got a revelation. I have to write. There's nothing else I can do. I have no idea how I'm going to do it. I have no idea what I'm going to write about, but just the fact, just knowing that I do have to write, that it's the only thing I *can* do... destroyed most of my resistance to it.
I still resist, I have to admit, and I still fear... But I'm working on it, and every day I'm losing more and more of my fear and resistance.
Thanks to this book, thanks to the wisdom and the gems and the inspiration from the stories in the book. Thanks to Natalie Goldberg, and to the hundreds of authors out there whose books inspire me and give meaning to my life.
yvonne_s's review
5.0
I read this book when I was in the middle of an MA in Creative Writing and coping with the birth of my premature baby. To say writing was a struggle for me at the time would be an understatement, and reading this revolutionised how I wrote. I followed her advice to go for first thoughts, to dive into what is scary and to write the same chapter several times without checking over what I'd already written. I also followed her advice to use the Samurai sword. I got a Distinction for that MA. I'm currently stuck with my second novel so I think it's time for a reread…
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
nhilton's review against another edition
5.0
Short chapters make this an easy read. There’s great encouragement in here to just write and let go of the excuses.
hswhite's review
4.0
I assigned this as supplemental reading for my freshman Creative Writing class this semester, and it made me change my mind about this book’s value and utility.
Having first read it a year or two after finishing college, I found it to be a little general and basic in its commentary. On a second read through alongside my freshmen students, I’ve come to realize that it’s actually the perfect introduction to “creative writing as a practice” for students who are just starting to explore the subject.
And as it turns out, much of the “basic” commentary that I had already learned when I read this book the first time actually originated with this text, which from what I understand was fairly revolutionary for its time (published 1986).
I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling to find their voice or to establish a writing practice.
Having first read it a year or two after finishing college, I found it to be a little general and basic in its commentary. On a second read through alongside my freshmen students, I’ve come to realize that it’s actually the perfect introduction to “creative writing as a practice” for students who are just starting to explore the subject.
And as it turns out, much of the “basic” commentary that I had already learned when I read this book the first time actually originated with this text, which from what I understand was fairly revolutionary for its time (published 1986).
I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling to find their voice or to establish a writing practice.