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Writing Down the Bones

Freeing the Writer Within

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Writing Down the Bones

By: Natalie Goldberg
Narrated by: Natalie Goldberg
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About this listen

Experience a modern classic on writing as you've never heard it before. With nearly one million copies of Writing Down the Bones in print, Natalie Goldberg has helped change the way writing is practiced in homes, schools, and workshops across America. Through her heartfelt personal reflections and her ingenious Zen-based exercises, Goldberg makes writing available to you as a tool for personal expression, self-exploration, and healing.

In this enhanced reading of her seminal work, Goldberg offers new commentary about the creative, spiritual, and practical dimensions of writing. Join her as she looks back on her life, sharing the story of how her meditation studies with Zen master Katagiri Roshi inspired her to develop practices for "writing down the bones": the essential, awakened speech of the mind. Here is a treasury of tested ideas, suggestions, and exercises that help new writers get started, and seasoned writers keep going. Includes an exclusive interview with the author available nowhere else.

 Buddhism Creativity Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Thought-Provoking Funny Inspiring Writing Poetry
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I listened to the book while at working in my studio on images so not with 100% intensity but i will definitely listen to it again. It's my first introduction to Natalie Goldberg and I think she's great, I really enjoyed her voice, I understand it's not everybody's voice but I really enjoyed listening to her read. I think her advice is wonderful, I particularly enjoyed hearing the two voices of her younger self and self in the present reflecting on book, much wisdom is here for writers and for anyone wishing to engage in the world more deeply.

Loved it

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A great example of 'self help' - pick up your pen and get writing! Mixed with Zen ideas, croissants and the American dream. Loved this and found it incredibly helpful.

wonderful

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I think this should be on every writer's shelf. This book gave me impetus to write in my teens and now I've come back to this updated version just over ten years later.

A book that helped my writing practice years ago

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I found Writing Down the Bones to be one of those rare books that doesn’t just teach you about writing, it invites you into the lived experience of it. Reading it felt like sitting down with Natalie herself over a cup of coffee, listening to her stories and insights flow in a way that was both personal and profound.

I think this books has to be my most favourite narrated book, I just loved her voice. I wish more authors would narrate their own books. It’s not polished in an artificial way, but raw, honest, and grounding. Her words transported me into her life — the cafes she wrote in, the Zen practice that shaped her thinking, both the messy and wonderful reality of putting words to paper.

Her insights are simple yet moving. Stories about her teachers, her routines, her struggles all woven together in such a beautiful way. I see the book as an immersive experience, it shows you how writer’s live and it really broadens the mind, It reminded me that writing is a practice of coming home to yourself and I felt really excited to pick up my pen.

Beautiful book narrated by Natalie - Which I loved.

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Natalie makes you fall in love with writing! what you do with that love absolutely depends on you...

falling in love with writing

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