Twenty years ago Natalie Goldberg's classic, Writing Down the Bones, broke new ground in its approach to writing as a practice. Now, Old...
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Jan 27, 2009
Saundra
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I have finished the exercises for the first two sections of Old Friend, which I'm using as a text in my class, Writing Practice, Memory, and Memoir. I'm keeping a separate notebook for this work, although most of the topics have lead me back to the book I'm writing--but with angles and insights I wouldn't have otherwise reached. I actually conceived this class so I'd do the exercises in Old Friend, because I didn't have the discipline to do them on my own. Nothing like accountability to get you
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Apr 25, 2008
Inder
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I just finished reading this book this morning. Now that I've read it, I need to work through it. Which I am very much looking forward to, because, oh, what a lovely little guide! Some of the best writing I encounter is actually writing about writing. Which makes sense if you think about it - why would you follow advice from a badly written book about writing?
Natalie Goldberg does not disappoint - she is as funny, down to earth, succinct, and harsh, as ever. This book is inspiring in More...
Natalie Goldberg does not disappoint - she is as funny, down to earth, succinct, and harsh, as ever. This book is inspiring in More...
Sep 19, 2008
Janet
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Great book. I'm going to buy it. I never buy books. It's out in paperback 3/10/09. I can wait.
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Mar 12, 2011
Jenny
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This book has put into words the way I feel about writing and how I see the world. It was like a close friend saying, "see, I told you you were on to something. You have the heart and the eyes of a writer." I loved her advice about anchoring yourself to something and breathing through experiences from start to finish. Just write and don't stop! Her writing exercises are great practice for anyone who likes writing and wants to see where it can take them. I really don't know if I have pl
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Aug 23, 2010
Angel
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I liked this book, but as I was reading it through, it was not easy to handle. The reason is that this is a book meant to be read, and for people to do the writing exercises. I constantly wanted to stop and do some writing, but since I was borrowing the book (from my library), I could not stop. I would definitely buy a copy of this book for myself at some point. I remarked in one of the updates that I still liked Writing Down the Bones better, and I can say that statement is still accurate. That
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Oct 21, 2011
Joel
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It took me 6 months to "read" this book. How come? Almost every page is an exercise in reconstructing your own memories of your life and the people you've met along the way.
I decided to work through all the exercises and it turned into a truly transformative experience. I think if you're interested in memoir, in telling your own story but you need help getting started, or if your writing seems to "lack juice" this book is for you.
Through writing exercises More...
I decided to work through all the exercises and it turned into a truly transformative experience. I think if you're interested in memoir, in telling your own story but you need help getting started, or if your writing seems to "lack juice" this book is for you.
Through writing exercises More...
Jul 24, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
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Another book I picked up because the author is beloved. Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones was the first book I read about writing that inspired me. I’ve read all her books since then (including one very disappointing novel) but nothing’s clicked with me like Bones. This book was close; I felt a click here and there. Old Friend is fundamentally an expanded Bones. It has lots of fun exercises for those who are suffering from writer’s block. I’d like to keep it a little longer and try more of the e
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Apr 08, 2009
Faith
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I buy a lot of writing books, I read even more. Natalie Goldberg is an old standby, and her newest is no exception. Even if you are not necessarily interested in writing a memoir (I'm not sure I am), the questions she asks are sure to get your mind working in new directions and bring a fresh perspective to whatever you are working on.
The covers of my copies of Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones are growing tattered from repeated readings over the years, and I expect this to be no e More...
The covers of my copies of Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones are growing tattered from repeated readings over the years, and I expect this to be no e More...
Jul 15, 2008
Andi
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So I did it, I finally finished Natalie Goldberg’s new book (is it even new anymore?) Old Friend from Far Away. And I really appreciated it. It’s not a book I would say I loved, not because it’s not great, but because it’s not the kind of book that you read right through. It’s made up of chunks - some of one or two lines and some of several pages - that all address various aspects of memoir writing. Some of the sections are writing prompts, and some are reflections on the writing process. I love
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May 26, 2009
Beth
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"This revolution in personal narrative that has unrolled across the American landscape in the last two and a half decades is the expression of a uniquely American energy: a desire to understand in the heat of living, while life is fresh . . ."
au contraire --- it is because we are a country of self-absorbed, egotistical narcissists.
Ms. Goldberg has not only jumped on the bandwagon, she's now driving it.
au contraire --- it is because we are a country of self-absorbed, egotistical narcissists.
Ms. Goldberg has not only jumped on the bandwagon, she's now driving it.
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Mar 31, 2009
Karen
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I do love Natalie, though I sometimes find her infuriating. I think that may be the point. I remembered so many things, not necessarily earth-shattering, since I started reading this book. I would recommend this to people who journal, and to anyone trying to remember or examine their life. ("Tell me all you know about Jello.")
Apr 25, 2010
Uglyoldwitch
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I am using this along with Christina Baldwin's "Life's Companion" as a teaching tool for two of my memoir writing classes. I love Natalie Goldberg's style, the way she can go from hysterical to dead-ass serious in a single sentence...
Jun 23, 2009
Ellin
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This book was filled with lots of good suggestions for practicing writing. Even if one has no interest in writing memoir, her questions, ideas, and assignments can bring long forgotten memories to mind.
Nov 13, 2010
Cherie
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DNF; I don't want to write a memoir so this wasn't as useful. Lots of writing exercises. In fact, there are so many memoirs and so many of them are so terrible, not sure if we need this! ;)
Apr 26, 2009
Todd
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Great book from one of the foremost writing teachers. My full review: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/04/b...
Mar 28, 2009
With my love of writing, this book fits right in. Giving prompts for writing about our lives, Natalie helps us see the world in new ways or maybe ways we have known but buried inside....
Sep 01, 2009
Deidre
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Not quite as good as Writing Down the Bones or Wild Mind, but Natalie still gets me inspired to write. A great book for anyone wanting to write memoir.
Sep 03, 2011
If you're thinking of writing memoir, but you're not quite sure how to start this book of writing prompts and encouragement is for you.
Jul 11, 2008
Finally.! A follow up to Writing Down the Bones. And on the craft of memoir, no less. Natalie Goldberg got me writing. Now with her book on the practice of writing memoir I finally picked up a pen again. I like how each of her exercises makes you want to rush for the pen and paper and let the words pour onto the page. I like how she describes writing as a whole body experience. This book isn't for those who want to read about writing. It's for those who want to write and are willing to tap into
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Mar 14, 2011
Womentumcanada
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This could be an excellent tool for some of our Womentum group chats. Some really interesting "jumping off" points/subjects.
Aug 06, 2010
Emma
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Good writing prompts for writing exercises, but maybe I'm just not disciplined enough myself to sit down and write for 10 minutes when I could be writing 10 minutes on more important stuff.
Aug 11, 2009
I like to have one craft book as a companion when I write, something I can turn to and help "grease the wheels", so to speak, and I think this will be a good one. While I'm not planning on writing a memoir, I picked it up b/c memories are the mine for creating our characters - particularly, it seems to me, the emotional beings of our characters, so I thought this book would be helpful. Lots of exercises here to help you access memories from forgotten-points in time. :) I also ust pla
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Dec 11, 2009
with this book, i finally got my fill of natalie goldberg's writing advice. and for that, i thank her.
Aug 14, 2008
Alice
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As a fan of Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones, I want to read her latest "how-to" book. I own the audio version of this title, but would like to experience the updated print version. A review from this month's The Writer (Aug 2008) wasn't too positive, so I'll need to judge "Old Friend" for myself.
I'd like to use this book as inspiration for my upcoming "Journaling Your Memoir" class I'm teaching Wed. at the Sertoma Arts Center in Raleigh off of More...
I'd like to use this book as inspiration for my upcoming "Journaling Your Memoir" class I'm teaching Wed. at the Sertoma Arts Center in Raleigh off of More...
Jan 02, 2010
Jen
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Loved it! I need to get a copy of my own to continue her suggested writing exercises.
Jun 05, 2010
Rachel
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This book is very helpful and inspiring. Mostly inspiring. There are a lot of writing prompts that get me going well. For example, "Everything you know about ice cream. Ten minutes. Go."
Dec 27, 2009
Jason
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This book has terrific advice for writing memoir. I'm so glad I read it.
