A review by hswhite
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

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.