Paperback, 296 pages
English language
Published Oct. 13, 1998 by Shambhala.
For more than twenty years Natalie Goldberg has been challenging and cheering on writers with her books and workshops. In her groundbreaking first book, she brings together Zen meditation and writing in a new way. Writing practice, as she calls it, is no different from other forms of Zen practice —"it is backed by two thousand years of studying the mind."
This book will be on my writing desk for a very long time, just in case I need to borrow some of Natalie Goldberg's wisdom.
Encore un livre sur l'écriture qui ne m'a pas totalement convaincu, mais j'aurais pu m'y attendre dans ce cas précis. Je savais que l'approche très spirituelle et "zen" de son autrice n'est pas forcément la mienne. Il y a tout de même quelques éléments intéressants dans les nombreux et courts chapitres de ce livre, mais ils sont souvent perdus au milieu d'anecdotes personnelles et de digressions plus ou moins intéressantes.
I actually listened to the audiobook, which in a way was much more productive for me than actually reading the book itself. Why? Because I was able to listen to [author:Natalie Goldberg|25189] as she talked about what you should be doing to help yourself develop ideas, hone your craft, where you should write and just about every aspect of the writing process, as I wandered through our neighborhoods. Just that simple act was able to get my creative juices flowing, and connected with me so powerfully that I ache to write. I want to better myself, but I know I need to practice. I've seen how powerful her lessons can be; I recently wrote, "I need to give myself permission to write what I want, and not necessarily what other people want to read!" It's something I honestly wouldn't have considered had I not listened to this audiobook.
And now, …
I actually listened to the audiobook, which in a way was much more productive for me than actually reading the book itself. Why? Because I was able to listen to [author:Natalie Goldberg|25189] as she talked about what you should be doing to help yourself develop ideas, hone your craft, where you should write and just about every aspect of the writing process, as I wandered through our neighborhoods. Just that simple act was able to get my creative juices flowing, and connected with me so powerfully that I ache to write. I want to better myself, but I know I need to practice. I've seen how powerful her lessons can be; I recently wrote, "I need to give myself permission to write what I want, and not necessarily what other people want to read!" It's something I honestly wouldn't have considered had I not listened to this audiobook.
And now, every time I start to jot a note to myself about something I want to write, or even start on a new story, I have Natalie's voice in my head. And that's a good thing.
I put it under inspirational, since it does have a lot of that, but this is also the best writing book I have read. I got it on the recommendation of a colleague of mine when I was still teaching high school English. It has inspired me to be a better writer myself. And it is just a good book to read when you need something that is easy and relaxing. Goldberg is very encouraging, inspiring, and gentle with a bit of an erotic element. I am finally adding it now as I am rereading it yet again. True, it was written before computers really took off, but I am sure a lot of the advice is still very applicable. For instance, I am sure instead of notebooks and diners, you may be using a laptop in a coffee shop with wifi. Overall, the book remains very effective and timeless.
This is a great work on writing that's rooted in principles lifted from Zen Buddhism. I read it when I was a teenager, and it really helped me get a grip on my writing. I've been thinking that I need to read it again. I've had so much technical training in writing now that I really need to start getting back to the pure principles.
