Writing consistently requires patience, diligence and discipline. Writers often get bogged down in the details, time constraints, deadlines and something all writer’s dread—writer’s block. The challenge for writers is to push through any creative boundaries and blockages in order to make a break through in their writing. Many times, successful writing comes from casting aside any doubts and fears and preconceived notions in order to write something that is both honest and heart felt and which readers can relate to.
In the book Writing Down the Bones, author and writing coach, Natalie Goldberg provides advice and inspiration that writers are looking for in order to break down these walls of insecurity and doubt and to push through boundaries in their writing. In both her book and workshops, Goldberg provides tips, writing exercises and leads by example. Gleaned from her classic writing guide, these tips are sure to inspire every writer looking to break through in their writing.
Dream Deeply
Most writers dream of being successful writers and many dream of making a full-time career out of writing fiction, poetry, non-fiction and even journalism. As the field of writing expands to include travel and blog writing, the options of a writing career do too.
In Writing Down the Bones, author Natalie Goldberg urges writers to take their dreams and wishes seriously, even when the direction of a writing path remains unclear. Goldberg insists that as writers learn to trust their own voice and allow the creative force inside to come out, a clear path to writing will appear and that path with lead to a fulfillment of all writing dreams. Trusting this inner voice or creative spirit is the basic tool required for all writing forms. With it, writers can then direct it toward writing short stories, novels, poetry or any other genre and make revisions with a clear purpose.
Erase the Torture of Doubt
The publishing industry rejects thousands of books every year. For every book that is published and successful, there are many more books that are not, and even less that become best sellers. It is easy for writers to feel fraught with doubt and fear. It becomes easy to put down the pen or to become critical of one’s own writing. Learn to silence the inner critic and eradicate any doubts or fears.
Instead, Goldberg says: “Don’t listen to doubt. It leads no place but to pain and negativity…Instead, have a tenderness and determination toward your writing, a sense of humor and a deep patience that you are doing the right thing. Avoid getting caught by that small gnawing mouse of doubt. See beyond it to the vastness of life and the belief in time and practice.”
A Break Through Requires Working Out the Writing Muscles
All writers have good figures no matter their size or physique, according to Natalie Goldberg. When writers break through they have a noticeable change to their physical posture. Goldberg says that she can tell just by a person’s physical posture if the writer has broken through or not. She says their posture is strained, their hearts begin to pound hard, they often take deep breaths and their hand writing is loose and generous.
When writing, writers should allow the creativity to flow without interruption or silencing it with critical ideas. Brainstorming, free writing, and timed writing can help writers achieve this. (Timed writing is writing done without stopping or editing for a specific amount of time). Still, allowing oneself to break through of all restrictions and constraints of course is the key to having a writing break through, and once achieved the honesty and emotion experienced will resonate in their writing.
Write Communally
Being an active part of the writing community is important for all writers. Writing is not a solitary effort and writing is learned by reading the work of other writers. “All writers are carried on the backs of all the writers who came before [them]”, as Goldberg points out. Writing communally, whether in workshops or writing groups, creates a learning discourse, motivates writers and fuels creative relationships with other writers.
Writers should never be afraid of writing and sharing their work with other people or shun the mutual support a writing community can give. Sharing leads to a greater appreciation for writing and improves writing skills for both the writer and the reader.
Push the Writing Limits
Writing should be bountiful and limitless, which means that writing should be done without any boundaries, no matter the topic or genre. Writers should be free to explore personal and controversial topics. Writers who place limits on their writing or focus on the reception of phantom publishers, readers and dreaded critics risk insecurities, fear, and writer's block.
Goldberg’s advice for the writers who think that they have reached their limit is to keep going, to keep pushing beyond what has already been written and go a little further. She believes that, "sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning...We are touching down onto something real. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out. Even if you have pushed yourself and feel you’ve broken through, push yourself further...”
In the end, writers actively seeking to make a break through in their writing will have to work hard to push past boundaries and block out insecurities, fears and doubts. In her book, Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg offers many suggestions and tips for writers facing these and other dilemmas. Writers looking to break through should dream deeply, let go of doubts and fears, push their writing further and write communally.
Reference:
- Goldberg, Natalie. Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within. Shambhala: 1986. ISBN: 978-0877733751.
Nascha Joli - Nascha A. Joli is a freelance writer and editor based in her native city of New York. Miss Joli received her BA in Economics from the City ...
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