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Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life Paperback – October 1, 1990

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 445 ratings

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Natalie Goldberg, author of the bestselling Writing Down The Bones, teaches a method of writing that can take you beyond craft to the  true source of creative power: The mind that is “raw, full of energy, alive and hungry.”

Here is compassionate, practical, and often  humorous advice about how to find time to write, how to discover your personal style, how to make sentences come alive, and how to overcome  procrastination and writer's block—including more than thirty provocative “Try this” exercises to get your pen moving.

And here also is a larger vision of the writer’s task: balancing daily responsibilities with a commitment to writing; knowing when to take risks as a writer and a  human being; coming to terms with success and  failure and loss; and learning self-acceptance—both in life and art.

Wild Mind
will change your way of writing. It  may also change your life.
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book is well intended but flawed by its somewhat incoherent style, lack of good writing, and an inability or unwillingness to target an audience. The brief autobiographical chapters offer counsel and moral support to the aspiring author, with a little Zen thrown in for good measure. There are several exercises for writing practice that are useful but can be invented or found elsewhere. The cosmic angle may appeal to those with New Age inclinations, although it may annoy others. While this book is inexpensive and accessible, a work on writing ought to contain some fine examples (e.g., Strunk and White's Elements of Style, or anything by William Zinsser).
- Janice Braun, Medical Historical Lib., Yale Univ.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

"Natalie Goldberg, author of the bestselling Writing Down The Bones, teaches a method of writing that can take you beyond craft to the true source of creative power: The mind that is "raw, full of energy, alive and hungry."

Here is compassionate, practical, and often humorous advice about how to find time to write, how to discover your personal style, how to make sentences come alive, and how to overcome procrastination and writer's block -- including more than thirty provocative "Try this" exercises to get your pen moving.

And here also is a larger vision of the writer's task: balancing daily responsibilities with a commitment to writing; knowing when to take risks as a writer and a human being; coming to terms with success and failure and loss; and learning self-acceptance -- both in life and art.

Wild Mind will change your way of writing. It may also change your life.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bantam (October 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0553347756
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553347753
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 0.57 x 7.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 445 ratings

About the author

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Natalie Goldberg
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Natalie Goldberg lived in Brooklyn until she was six, when her family moved out to Farmingdale, Long Island, where her father owned the bar the Aero Tavern. From a young age, Goldberg was mad for books and reading, and especially loved Carson McCullers’s The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, which she read in ninth grade. She thinks that single book led her eventually to put pen to paper when she was twenty-four years old. She received a BA in English literature from George Washington University and an MA in humanities from St. John’s University.

Goldberg has painted for as long as she has written, and her paintings can be seen in Living Color: A Writer Paints Her World and Top of My Lungs: Poems and Paintings. They can also be viewed at the Ernesto Mayans Gallery on Canyon Road in Sante Fe.

A dedicated teacher, Goldberg has taught writing and literature for the last thirty-five years. She also leads national workshops and retreats, and her schedule can be accessed via her website: nataliegoldberg.com

In 2006, she completed with the filmmaker Mary Feidt a one-hour documentary, Tangled Up in Bob, about Bob Dylan’s childhood on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. The film can be obtained on Amazon or the website tangledupinbob.com.

Goldberg has been a serious Zen practitioner since 1974 and studied with Katagiri Roshi from 1978 to 1984.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
445 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's writing style helpful and relatable for writers. They appreciate the suggestions and information provided, finding it a great tool for beginners. The pacing is described as interesting and creative, getting creativity flowing. Readers praise the author's special spirit, insights, and joy through personal stories. They enjoy the colorful artwork and hands-on exercises in the book.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

35 customers mention "Writing style"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing style down-to-earth and helpful for writers. They say it helps them relate to what they want to write and how to keep that going. The book is a great mix of the author's life and learning exercises that warm them up. It's best for writers who are starting out, stuck, or otherwise afflicted with writer's block. Readers appreciate the author's demystifying the act of writing and her Zen writing style.

"...little repetitive if you’ve read her other books, but still a gold mine of inspiration and definitely worth the read." Read more

"This woman has done it again. I love her writing style, her suggestions, her wild mind. I can relate...." Read more

"...I think it's a good book, well worth reading. It has many good writing exercises throughout...." Read more

"...Talented author/artist. Love her colorful paintings." Read more

17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the author's writing style and find the exercises worthwhile.

"...other books, but still a gold mine of inspiration and definitely worth the read." Read more

"...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...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...A good read if you are learning to write by your lonesome. ChangeItOrDrownIt B 36 Ears" Read more

12 customers mention "Advice"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's advice helpful and easy to follow. They appreciate the great information and writing style. The book is practical and motivating, helping you get your ideas down on paper. It includes personal stories and exercise suggestions.

"This woman has done it again. I love her writing style, her suggestions, her wild mind. I can relate...." Read more

"...She is honest and open building social warmth and trust to the budding genius fortunate to be assigned this school quality text...." Read more

"...is the best way to use and enjoy "Wild Mind." Nat, (I don't think she'd mind if a reader called her 'Nat') calling on the obvious..." Read more

"...we know writing is much harder than just sitting down, she gives forth confidence along with practice writing exercises...." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing and style. They find it full of thoughts and ideas that get their creativity flowing. The author is described as down-to-earth and relatable.

"...I love her writing style, her suggestions, her wild mind. I can relate. Characters aren’t people we’ve conjured up...." Read more

"...It's for serious curious writers who want to move forward with their thinking and work . That's 1 third into the book." Read more

"...Wild Mind is timeless and life changing!!" Read more

"...This book is very down-to-earth and filled with good stuff for all writers. A small warning: it references Zen several times." Read more

5 customers mention "Natalie goldberg"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book by Natalie Goldberg. They find her spirit and teachings inspiring. The author articulates struggles, joys, and zen with great insights.

"...I can't say enough about Wild Mind and the special spirit of Natalie Goldberg and her teachings! Wild Mind is timeless and life changing!!" Read more

"...Natalie Goldberg is so much relaxed and a great joy to get to know through her personal rich stories...." Read more

"A look inside of Natalie Goldberg's life while she was writing some terrific books on writing. Great as I expected, for she is a marvelous writer...." Read more

"Quirky and unconventional! More great insights from Natalie Goldberg, you gotta love her! Very inspirational...." Read more

4 customers mention "Joy"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. It reflects their journey to becoming through personal stories and exercise suggestions. Readers find it relatable and enjoyable, with an enlightened perspective on life and writing.

"...Natalie Goldberg is so much relaxed and a great joy to get to know through her personal rich stories...." Read more

"Natalie is gifted and inspiring, and articulates the struggle, joys and zen-like path to becoming the writer you are." Read more

"It's as much about loving life as it is about loving writing. Natalie knows how to yes." Read more

"Through entertaining personal stories and many exercise suggestions, Natalie shows us a way to letting the underside of our minds manifest in words." Read more

3 customers mention "Art quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's art and find it inspirational. They also appreciate the author's colorful paintings.

"...Talented author/artist. Love her colorful paintings." Read more

"...Ms. Goldberg inspired me. She inspires many. That is the beauty of her book." Read more

"Very inspirational. I enjoyed the art, writing and the storyline very much. There was a lot of great information in this book." Read more

3 customers mention "Hand exercises"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's hand exercises helpful for deepening writing practice. They find them practical and motivating, keeping their hands moving.

"...keep the hand moving, 2)..." Read more

"...She demystifies the act of writing. The book is full of hands on exercises to deepen your writing practice" Read more

"Very hands on and practical and very motivating!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
    Loved this as a follow up to Writing Down the Bones. A little repetitive if you’ve read her other books, but still a gold mine of inspiration and definitely worth the read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
    This woman has done it again. I love her writing style, her suggestions, her wild mind. I can relate.

    Characters aren’t people we’ve conjured up. They’re people we meet from the other side, friends for a time, until we let them go.

    This book helped me play with writing more, not take it or myself too seriously.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2011
    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.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
    This like all...all...Goldberg books has gotten me writing more. Plan to read w pencil at hand or don't start the book; you will be wasting your time and energy. It's for serious curious writers who want to move forward with their thinking and work . That's 1 third into the book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024
    I read this years ago and it’s just as insightful now as it was years ago. Talented author/artist. Love her colorful paintings.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2010
    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.
    20 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2017
    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!
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2016
    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
    6 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • P N G
    4.0 out of 5 stars An author's internal thoughts
    Reviewed in India on January 22, 2021
    I have mixed feelings about the book; there were some extremely useful insights while other times i had a hard time to figure out what Natalie is wanting to convey. I liked those chapters where she focussed on the difficulties which even successful writers face and also loved her advise of writing freely from our own experiences.
    Most other books on writing focus on the craft, this book focussed on the mind of the person who crafts. I belive that was the USP Of this book and it has done justice to that promise
  • valerie
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a lovely book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 23, 2020
    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.
  • B Leyland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wild Mind is Timeless
    Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2019
    Although the book was published almost thirty years ago (1990), it is as current and fresh for 21st century readers/writers as ever. Read it from front to back or choose a chapter in the middle if it grabs your attention at the time. Because the chapters are only a page or two in length, I have been reading the book slowly, carefully, almost meditatively. My own writing project, which had been stalled, flows again, thanks to Natalie Goldberg's Wild Mind.
  • Battistta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss the occasion
    Reviewed in France on June 27, 2020
    Natalie Goldberg is one of the best writing discoveries ever. I'm amazed by all of her books. And really recommend if you look for a friendly way to get into writing and being inspired by the techniques she suggests on her books. I'm grateful to have the chance to read them!
  • Rosa Frei
    5.0 out of 5 stars "The only failure in writing is when you stop doing it. Then you fail yourself. You affirm your resistance. Don't do that."
    Reviewed in Germany on June 14, 2017
    The author Natalie Goldberg captures the aspiring writer with her encouragement and her professional advice. After reading "Writing down the bones", I was kind of hooked with the author and this book 'Wild Mind' didn't disappoint me at all. It is a straightforward approach of encouraging writers to write. As simple as that. Quote from the book: "The only failure in writing is when you stop doing it. Then you fail yourself. You affirm your resistance. Don't do that." The book is brimming with counterintuitive exercises to help you get over the 'thinking mind' with its second and third thoughts, and reach the first thoughts of the original, authentic mind - the 'wild mind'. Goldberg managed to do it again, spark that flame, that many of us feel: to write. To write, no matter what! Inspiring!