Writing Down the Bones

This weekend I re-discovered one of my old favorite books that my mom gave me ages ago. I must have been in Piano camp (another story, for another time) at Princeton then because there is a bookmark that reads "Micawber Books", a great store that has since closed. This video doesn't show you much, but I love that someone else geeked out enough to take a video of a bookstore.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg was published in 1986, so despite the varying reviews about the content, it is amazing to see that this little book is still in print. Among the negative comments posted on Amazon, several people complain that there was not enough direction or specific detail on how to improve your writing.

I am of the camp that writing is just like everything else in life: you improve the more you practice. Reading, having conversations, living, these are all beneficial forms of practice and while I think Goldberg highlights all successfully, the words in this book are much more than instruction.

"A writer is all at once everything-- an architect, French cook, farmer-- and at the same time, a writer is none of these things." -Goldberg, 71

"The parts of another's writing that are natural to you will become you, and you will use some of those moves when you write. But not artificially. Great lovers realize that they are what they are in love with." -Goldberg, 79

"Share your work with people. Don't let it just pile up in notebooks. Let it out. Kill the idea of the lone, suffering artist. We suffer anyway as human beings. Don't make it any harder on yourself." -Goldberg, 81

"Writing is the act of burning through the fog in your mind. Don't carry the fog out on paper. Even if you are not sure of something, express it as though you know yourself. With this practice, you eventually will." -Goldberg, 86

"I because to form a word with your lips and tongue or think a thing and then dare to write it down so you can never take it back is the most powerful thing I know. I am trying to come alive, to find the distances in my own recesses and bring them forward and give them color and form." -Goldberg, 115

Writing may not be your cup of tea, but I hope these words encourage you to take a risk in your life, and trust that you are strong enough to embrace your dreams with all your might. xN

Bear Mountain State Park, early September 2009

The History of Love

I read a beautiful, moving, thoughtful, hilarious, sad, and wonderfully written book called The History of Love this weekend that continues to touch me two days later. I've read a few great books so far this year but something about the sum of this books parts was so successful. Not only were the characters and the story engaging, but the writing. The WRITING. It touched me. Here's one of the more popular lines from the book:

"Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering."

— Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)

Now, the thing that I dislike less about this quote is also what I dislike about the title, it seems campy in its overt romance, like I should be obscuring the title or something. The truth is, it is more a story of unrequited love and how people find themselves with meaningful lives becuase they pursue that pain in a sense. It was just brilliant and I was surprised to see, when I looked for a good link to send you all on to read more about her, that Nicole Krauss is married to Jonathan Saffron-Foer. And that this book is 5 years old. Yikes!Anyway, another that I like

"...and at the table next to her was a little boy in a soccer uniform sitting with his mother who told him, The plural of elf is elves. A wave of happiness came over me. It felt giddy to be part of it all. To be drinking a cup of coffee like a normal person. I wanted to shout out: The plural of elf is elves! What a language! What a world!"

— Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)

Who hasn't had those days? When you suddenly feel upbeat and alive, normal and adjusted despite being (or perhaps only because you are) among strangers. A child on a bike in a tutu makes you smile and you shout "Morning!", surprising yourself before the word has even left your lips. I don't often re-read books but this is one I will defintitely keep in my collection and recommend to many. It reminded me what I love about literature, language, and most importantly writing. Happy Monday. xN