I can’t keep track of how many times the talented Elizabeth Wickham has pointed me to a terrific writing resource. She did so recently when she mentioned, “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg, first published in 1986.
I dunno why, but it sat around, unread. I can be pretty shallow when it comes to titles (isn’t that a confession) and wonder if the phrase “writing down the BONES” was off-putting. Influenced by hubby’s love of NCIS-ish television shows that invariably begin with a dead body? I don’t know. But I took the nudge from Elizabeth and knew I needed to dive in. And…
Wow! It’s my new favorite book about the craft of writing. I can be fickle, so I won’t promise how long my ardor will stick, but for now, my oppressively annotated copy of “Bones” is my fave. So much so that I wrote about it last month – sharing two of my favorite snippets as I began to read.
Now that I’ve finished, I want to share two additional observations from Goldberg’s book – specifically about the motivation to write:
“Writers end up writing about their obsessions. Things that haunt them; things they can’t forget; stories they carry in their bodies waiting to be released.” – p. 42
“…the idea for a book…has to come from a deep place, and it’s not an idea or ‘topic’ like a school composition. It’s a longing that comes from the bottom of the well…you have to make sure that a book comes from a deep passion or even obsession. Because a book takes a long time to write, and you can’t burn out after you’ve written only ten pages.” – p. 191
The “deep place.” I connect with that in a big way.
I’m happily receiving input from my writer’s group – in addition to my trusted beta readers and while I’m impatient, eagerly looking forward to a final, final draft, I know I’m on the right track. And I’ve learned something more that’s helped me dig for story-telling depth while editing.
I can still welcome inspiration.
Embrace opportunities I’ve missed to enrich this work of fiction.
Allow myself to be tickled as enhancement ideas arrive.
Remember to have fun with the process.
I have one devilish example. I love it when a friend asks if I’ll reveal the title of this ‘wip’ (work-in-progress). His interest tells me I’ve been a teensy bit successful in planting seeds of curiosity. And that’s before I’ve revealed the ancestral bits. Yep…it’s a novel…but the undercurrent, the foundation? There are ties to my mom, Sue’s, peculiar family and their strange intuitive skills. And that’s all I dare say. Except for this – an observation. This writer’s needed a dash of faith. The resolve to write to an unknown destination. I did that and a surprise was waiting for me…
If Sue were alive today she’d be gobsmacked by my discoveries. A hint of something she knew about, but the truth, buried in long lost family history would’ve delighted her. And I suspect she’d say it explained a lot. About her over-the-top gregariousness and her knack for getting herself into and out of trouble.
I like Natalie Goldberg’s advice. Follow the longing and take your time. Get to those deep places.
-Vicki 💝
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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