Writing Down The Bones: 30 Years Later

A Feb. 7, 2016 interview with author Natalie Goldberg on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her phenomenally successful self-help for writers book, "Writing Down The Bones." The Taos News' Tempo editor Rick Romancito talks with Goldberg about the origins of her book, the Zen practice of writing, her emerging presence as a visual artist and her newest book, "The Great Spring: Writing, Zen, and This Zigzag Life." Goldberg's accomplishments will be celebrated Feb. 19-20, 2016 in Taos. The first day will include a proclamation read by Taos Mayor Dan Barrone declaring Feb. 19 "Natalie Goldberg Day," and the second a "sharing" by many of the author's students over the years. The event is sponsored by the Society of the Muse of the Southwest (SOMOS) and the Mabel Dodge Luhan House. Video was shot and edited by Rick Romancito for The Taos News Media Center, www.taosnews.com.

[@ninisyalala4379]

we love you so much Natalie Goldberg!!!

[@elkravenhouse1668]

Thank you so much for sharing. She is one of my "heroes"... Their writing books are near of my bed every time, because they are full of life, inspiration and like inner medicine for me...

[@zelcova17]

Natalie Goldberg's signature book 'Writing Down The Bones' is very well known among writers and people who want to be a writer in Korea. With Julia Cameron's 'Artist's Way', you both are so inspirational and heart warming. In this interview, I found the house is shared with you both. How amazing! As Natalie said, 'the house is not a house, it's being, life!!' Thanks for all you have done!

[@rsc8148]

One of those few books I keep on my desk, or move from my desk to my nightstand. And I pick it up. Again, and again. So profound. And just lovely.

[@avalonalabama]

I love this so much! I fell in love with Natalie's work 28 years ago and like Ms. Goldberg I am still here to say thank you.

[@SW-wf3gy]

I love Natalie's authenticity.

[@DianeDettmann]

Over the years, you've inspired me as a writer. I've read and reread Writing Down the Bones and listened to your CD Old Friend from far away many times. Your writing wisdom and all my writing practice brought results-- two memoirs and my most recent publication an historical fiction trilogy! I'm doing a memoir workshop with a group of high school students in a few weeks and will definitely share your book Writing Down the Bones with them. Thank you so much Natalie for all you've done for writers. If you're ever in Minnesota, it would be an honor to meet you. :)

[@judihollis9032]

I'm just as turned on today as all the other times I've listened to Natalie's recording of her book , Writing Down the Bones. I want to read the new book and also Banana Rose. Anyone for a trip to Taos? Maybe I'll get there soon. So grateful to be a writer. Thanks to all the energies.

[@christinelaferriere5764]

Natalie has been inspirational for me and her writing is comprehensive for teaching/her narratives are so impromptu and helps me motivate....I have never written so much and so freely as with her teachings

[@lisafayepranger8561]

Her book Living Color is one I have read, and re read and totally relate to as a visual artist. Thank you Natalie for that book!

[@briandressel1344]

So excited to meet you in June. Finally after all this time. Been a fan for years

[@chloethesemoments]

I am from Germany. Natalie is the reason I was able to "free" my writing, to find my style, to look at life differently, to believe in myself, to write even if writing in Germany so many years ago was not to find anywhere as a "hobby". But luckily I found "Writing down the bones" during a vacation in the US. She was one of my first dearest writers and a few years later also Julia Cameron with "the artist's way"" and it reminded me they are close friends. She somehow is the reason I am still writing today and the person that layed the foundation to my writing. Since then I wrote with my voice and freed myself from all rules and expectations with only one rule she spoke about in one book, I think Wild Mind, somehow like that: always have in mind that if you do not listen to rules that a house with less then 3 walls will not have a strong foundation. So check which rules can be left out (sorry for my English) which means sometimes some rules might be important. I really love her kindness, her openess to life, her big heart, her faith. All the best for her especially now that the world came thundering down (her newest book about having cancer). Yes, we love you, Natalie and today I can say thank you through youtube for all your help and your wonderful work and awesome books which are some of the greatest treasures on my book shelf.

[@shoppersplace]

I read a different page just about every other day lately. So inspirational, and an insight that work.

[@steveleeart]

Wow, in elementary school I had huge issues learning English. I remember I had one teacher that you had to do like very well on a grammar test, and those who got I think a B+ or higher could write a children’s book. Write and illustrate… and I wanted to do that so badly. I was so jealous of my friends who got to do that. I wasn’t able to, as a part of the class cause I only got a C or C+ on the test. It still gives me a bit of a hang up today. I’ve been working on a personal essay about it… looking back each member of the class should have been able to do a book. What a chance to introduce us to editing. You write the first draft, then go over it again yourself and do a revision, submit it to the teacher who could make suggestions, on the overall work and give grammar hints. Maybe the teacher sits down one on one with each student and you work on revising it together. I think I’d have learned more about the process from doing that then I did in regular teaching. I’m enjoying writing as an adult. I like literary nonfiction a lot. But haven’t done it in years. The pandemic brought it back to me, journaling and working on essays - finding themes for essays. Many university professors, well one in particular anyways, he has a long list of books in his course outlines and one has always been WRITING DOWN THE BONES. And I never picked it up until this year. I wish I had read it earlier. I started with an audio book with Goldberg and Cameron on the writing process and loved that. Joyce Maynard has a beautiful set of courses on Creative Live that I soaked up too. But maybe reading BONES now is the best, as I’ve been learning about meditation and mindfulness. It’s beautiful 🙏 thank you… 🙏

[@martywilsonlife]

How did your personal essay come out?

[@steveleeart]

I love how when Goldberg reads BONES today she reflects back on each chapter as part of the audio, on audible.

[@moonbeamlucas2164]

Thank you xx

[@iyenjohn6633]

The book taught me to find my right kind of biro colour for writing.

[@andrewmoore3566]

gorgeous, thank you!

[@bengreenbadger]

What a lovely lady.

[@Nope-ec5yv]

I love her stories in interviews. Great storyteller overall.

[@susanembry7040]

Still a great interview!