Writing Down the Bones

Natalie Goldberg, a writer, poet, and teacher describes so eloquently the intimacy of a writer and their craft in the introduction of “Writing Down the Bones”.

I can always spot a true writer when they emphasize the importance of choosing the right pen as Goldberg did in her short introduction. How your pen and paper meet is truly a magical experience and I believe that there is a perfect pen and paper out there for every writer. One that calls you to it every time you pick it up. I have had many friends give me many journals to encourage me in my writing and they have sat in my room collecting dust because they weren’t the right “fit” for me. Everything about it has to feel just right and say, “here you can be you”. I like when Goldberg described, “Learning to use your craft as your weapon” for I guess writing was mine once. When I was young it helped me get through my parents divorce. It seemed to be the only place I could turn to. I began, in those moments hovered over my journal, to grow to know myself better than I ever could have without it. I began to listen to the most distance of thoughts to better make sense of the chaos around me.  I connected with Goldberg’s phrase.. “Penetrating your life and becoming sane”. Writing caused me to go inside myself and find out what was wrong instead of reacting to emotions I hadn’t connected to yet. 

What I took away most from reading this article can be summed up in Goldberg’s quote, “Trust in what you love, continue to do it and it will take you wherever you need to go. And don't worry too much about security when you begin to do what you want” I love that. I feel too often people are frozen in their tracks as soon as they find something that is against the grain. People are not encouraged to pursue their dreams and are often told of what could go wrong and why not to do it. Not many people are encouraged to pursue their dreams. To reach for the stars and to not let anything stand against them.  

Well it is truly encouraging to hear from someone who didn’t let the world stop her. She pursued what she loved and I can now enjoy the thoughtful insight she gained in becoming a respected writer.