Chasing The Muse
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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

by Natalie Goldberg

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Writing Down the Bones

by Natalie Goldberg

reviewed by Kristin LaTour

Natalie Goldberg has written extensively on writing and leads writing workshops in her home state of New Mexico. But even she has had struggles with writing and finding her way out of self-doubt. In Writing Down the Bones, she writes of her personal experiences, and some friends' experiences, with establishing a writing routine and finding a way to let her words run wild.

This isn't a craft book on how to write, but more of a collection of personal essays on a writer's life. Natalie does have solid suggestions for getting going, like establishing a routine for daily writing and keeping a journal. But unlike other writers who say, "Here's how I write, and you should do it too," Natalie gives us a picture on how she gets work done, and encourages readers to find their own comfort zone. With chapter titles like "Composting," "Man Eats Car," and "Writers Have Good Figures," you know you're in for a fun read, not a lesson in how to develop character or write interesting sentences.

Writing Down the Bones will inspire readers to find a comfortable place with a good beverage and get out their notebooks and pens. And if nothing happens, Natalie gives some tools to get started. "Write what's in front of you," she says. Describe what's in your cup. Look at your surroundings. Look at the newspaper headlines. Just write.

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Kristin LaTour has been a member of NWG since 2003 and recently finished an MFA in creative writing poetry. In addition to being a poet, she teaches English at Joliet Jr. College. Her writing philosophy is that one must practice writing just like a musical instrument. It takes time, patience, help, study and constant practice. And it also takes an appreciation for the craft. What musician doesn't listen to the music of others? What novelist doesn't like to read novels? Poets should be reading poetry by old masters and up-and-comers. Her poems have appeared in the journals Pearl, Rambunctious Review, and After Hours. Her chapbook, "Town Limits: Red Beaver Lake, Minnesota," is available from Pudding House Press with excerpts on her website.