Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life

This may be the only book about which I can say: it changed my life. This book really put me on the path to writing. And, in a roundabout way, it played a role in convincing me to move to New Mexico. I've been a professional ghostwriter for over ten years and the principles of creativity espoused in Wild Mind are part of the foundation that has sustained me. Highly, highly recommended.That said, the book isn't ideal for all writers. It's best for writers who are starting out, who are stuck or who are otherwise afflicted with being a little "too tight." If you're "too loose," then IMHO this isn't for you. It's worth pointing out, I think, that NG's fiction writing is not nearly as good as her non-fiction work. This may be because NG's expertise and pleasure is primarily in creativity, in getting the energy from the jugular onto the page. She's a demon for details, for discipline and for process, but she's not an expert in storytelling. Storytelling is primarily about structure and creating structure requires a different set of creative tools and attitudes.So if you're looking to write a story in some form or other, this book will get you part of the way there. For guidance on the rest of the trip, I recommend Blake Snyder's three "Save the Cat" books. They're about movies and not novels, but they are more informative than any of the "how to write a novel" books with respect to structure.Overall, however, it's difficult to quantify the value you can get as a writer from reading NG. Her work is brave and her personal example is inspiring. She makes you think that anyone can be a writer and that maybe everyone should.

After reading Natalie Goldberg's classic Writing Down the Bones, I knew that I needed to read more of what she had to say about writing. Wild Mind did not disappoint me. Although other writers tend to write longer more comprehensive essays about how to write, Goldberg writes about writing in vignettes which I found helpful. As she would put it, my monkey mind chatters non-stop, so I find paying attention to longer pieces about writing difficult. As such her smaller vignettes, although not as comprehensive as other writers, were easy for me to digest and learn from.Given what I know now, I would read Writing Down the Bones first, and then perhaps after a couple of months I would read Wild Mind. Natalie has a lot to say which comes across at first as, "Duh!" but after you ponder what she has to say for a bit her duh-ness transforms into brilliance!

Thank you for providing me the tools needed after reading first book it has split me open as you say so often. I can’t wait to take these things that you have taught me into the future and to write my being forward, ThanQ again Natalie.

This book talks about the writing life and gives tips for writing. It’s an interesting book. I enjoyed the writing prompts.

Natalie Golderg has a style that made me fell in love with HER... Every page is like if you were talking with a friend... Her rules of writing: 1) keep the hand moving, 2) Loose Control, 3) Be Specific, 4) Dont think..... just to name the basics.. Just give you the idea of her ZEN writing style! Ohhh and it works. It is a book to SAVOR.. to PRACTIVE.. to MOTIVATE you... You have to experience the book to know what I am talking about. I listen the book ( audiobook link above)... I listen to it, while driving, in traffic, and felt as if a friend were talking to me...  Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life

I love reading books on writing and came across this Kindle one. I purchased and read it in a week. I think it's a good book, well worth reading. It has many good writing exercises throughout. I grew tired of a few of the stories by the end (the drug taking, the rant about not needing a degree, etc.). The bit about getting a degree being a waste seemed ridiculous to me, especially since early on she made a point via Hemingway in say that "...if a writer knows something, even if he doesn't write it, it is present in his work." So that seems to contradict her rant about not needing and never using her degrees. Overall this is a good book and worth reading.

As a writer I search for people who inspire me to do more than I think is possible. I want to believe that I can write something, anything that someone else will want to read. More often than not I doubt whether that is possible. After reading Wild Mind I believe I can do it. I believe I can write a novel or an essay or an article that others will want to read. Ms. Goldberg inspired me. She inspires many. That is the beauty of her book.

WILD MINDS soothes the mild winds of writing. I am learning she helps in the more brisk journeys, too.This is a writing support and guidance text. This author takes us on a journey to remove some of the twists and turns a new writer will experience learning to grapple with the basic diligence and the selection of subject choice for writing. She is honest and open building social warmth and trust to the budding genius fortunate to be assigned this school quality text. A good read if you are learning to write by your lonesome.ChangeItOrDrownItB 36 Ears

Among Natalie Goldberg's books, this is the one I love most. I have read it so many times and when my dog showed some interest by chewing on it, I immediately bought a new copy. I turn to it from time to time, it's always on my desk, it's like talking to a friend, hearing her loving, funny and wise voice. I highly recommend it to people interested in writing.

I love Natalie Goldberg, she's so inspiring! Always has lots of ideas for writers (or would-be writers). But this particular publication has awful typeface so it's very unpleasant to read - small, dark font, yuck! Would like another copy of this book which is clearer to read.

This is a balanced mix of writing advice and anecdote, incorporating Zen teachings. It's easy to read with its short chapters and offers numerous ideas and exercises for overcoming writer's block and developing an ongoing "writing practice". Thoroughly recommended.

Bought this as I'd kept on renewing the library copy. Great for aspiring writers. Shame the copy I got was in such poor condition - warped yellowing paper is not "used- good condition" in my book.

purchased for my daughter for BA creative writing course