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I’ve always been interested in the spiritual/psychological side of writing. While I do enjoy a good instructional book on the mechanics of writing, I’ve often longed for a book that explores the non-technical aspects of composition, the unseen side that drives (and halts) the creative process.

Unfortunately, few books have satisfied that desire. That was until I stumbled upon an unusual little book called Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

The General Idea

After reading the introduction which lays down the framework for the rest of the book, I knew I had found what I looking for, a non-traditional look at the underlying psychology of writing.

Following the introduction, Goldberg  presents a series of brief personal musings describing her methods for capturing what she calls “first thoughts,” those intriguing and sometimes frightening ideas that pop into our heads before our internal editors step in and say: You can’t say that. People will think your crazy.

Goldberg believes those initial ideas infuse your writing with the genuine, raw emotion needed for creating truly unique literature.

She says: “First thoughts have tremendous energy. It is the way the mind first flashes on something. The internal censor usually squelches them, so we live in the realm of second and third thoughts, thoughts on thought, twice and three times removed from the direct connection of the first flash” (p.9).

Starting with the Basics

Before writing her book, Goldberg spent years teaching writing to all kinds of groups. She is able to step back into the mind of a new writer and start with the basics. She leaves no aspect out. One of my favorite chapters, “Beginner’s Mind, Pen and Paper,” starts with the most fundamental thing in all writing, choosing a pen.

While that kind of advice may seem trivial, it helps to start small.

The tools a writer chooses are as important as the kind of instrument a musician plays or the medium an artist chooses to create with.

Goldberg claims she uses a fountain pen to write because it’s faster and that’s how she likes to write. On the other hand, I like ballpoint pens because they move slow across the page.  My mind functions best at a slow, steady pace.

You might prefer to type your thoughts on a computer. And somebody else might prefer the feel of a manual typewriter.

Your preferred writing tools can effect the quality of your output. So choose what works best for you.

Walk then Run

After reintroducing the very basics of writing craft, Goldberg goes on to reveal a series of essays gleaned from personal experiences and advice from authors like Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac.

Like she says in the introductions, you can read the chapters in order or you can read them out of order. It doesn’t matter. Each section touches on a different issue.

If it’s your first time reading the book, I would suggest reading it in order. You’ll end with a well-rounded understanding of Goldberg’s general philosophy.

Not a Step-by-Step Guidebook

Warning: if you’re looking for a guidebook, look somewhere else. There are few exercises or writing prompts. Goldberg encourages you to trust your own mind and come up with your own exercises and topics.

You have to do more than simply read the book and follow the instructions.

It’s all about finding and understanding your voice through scheduled practice and uninhibited thinking. At times, Goldberg’s a little out there. And her talk about Zen Buddhism may offend some.

But if your looking for something different, something non-traditional, try reading Writing Down the Bones. It’s helped my writing. And it can help yours.