Writing Down the Bones
by Natalie Goldberg
"Uneducating" Creative Writing
By Chris Dunmire
I remember the first time I read Natalie Goldberg's 1986 book Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within. I was struck at how artfully Goldberg wrote through ordinary life moments in extraordinary ways, using the subtractive process of "uneducation" (subtracting rules, not adding them) to write creatively.
Goldberg taught me so many new things about being a writer: the unforgettable "beginner's mind"; ways of composting history and experiences; being present, unafraid, and open to writing what's in front of you; and the joy of hands-on, environmental writing — anytime, anywhere. I followed her into a chocolate shop in Owatonna, Minnesota, where she and a companion wrote in notebooks for a half-hour together after eating Greek salads and sipping coffee with milk. On another page I found her on a Greek island writing about "cheap rooms on the beach, nude swimming, and watching the great sun set." Later she explained how to use loneliness to "reconnect with the world and say who you are and how you care about light and rooms and lullabyes."
Coupled with willingness, Writing Down the Bones helped me take bold new steps towards the writing life I wanted. First, it affirmed my right to write and stand tall in my own truth, where-ever that was. Next, it helped me to form a writing habit, a longing for writing that I couldn't go long without. Then came connection. Writing on my blog. Writing in public. Writing and sharing in intimate writing workshops and groups. Writing here for Creativity Portal readers and newspaper editors surfing for stories.
Writing is such a personal, explorative experience for me. Reading my work out loud in a group or to an audience is not my usual forte and used to be a terrifying experience. It's still not easy, but I have no regrets about the times I've done it with courage and grace. There is something so deeply rewarding about this form of "artful communication" and in sharing it in a supportive, co-creative environment with other writers. A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of being in a group like this. Read more about it here: Casual Pieces from a Juicy, Sensuous Writershop.
It's time for me to re-read Writing Down the Bones. It's been a couple of years, and I'm in a very different place now. What will I glean with new eyes? With a beginner's mind? Speaking of which, if you're a fan of Natalie Goldberg, you may enjoy listening to this interview, Life is Detail, on Future Primitive. •
© 2009 Chris Dunmire www.chrisdunmire.com. All rights reserved. |
