Have compassion for yourself when you write. There is no failure - just a big field to wander in. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
This is the practice school of writing. Like running, the more you do it, the better you get at it. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I still write with pen and paper and have someone type it on a computer. But rewriting I do by hand. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
The correctness and quality of what you write do not matter; the act of writing does. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
A writer's job is to give the reader a larger vision of the world. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
Shut up and write. Don't talk about writing, just physically do it. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
Nobody cares much whether you write or not. You just have to do it — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
The muscles of writing are not so visible, but they are just as powerful: determination, attention, curiosity, a passionate heart. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
My goal is to write every day. I say it is my ideal. I am careful not to pass judgment or create… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I'm never ashamed to read a book twice or as many times as I want. We never expect to drink a glass… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
“I'm sorry I don't have brilliant reasons for beginning a novel. As you go along, you make up reasons to do what… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I don't know anything but writing practice, and so what I really do is direct that energy as if it were flowing… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
When you write, don't say, "I'm going to write a poem." That attitude will freeze you right away. Sit down with the… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
So writing is not just writing. It is also having a relationship with other writers. And don't be jealous, especially secretly. That's… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
In writing practice, there's no direction. You enter your own mind and follow it where it takes you. We have a great… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
Writing practice brings us back to the uniqueness of our own minds and an acceptance of it. We all have wild dreams,… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
“As writers we are always seeking support. First we should notice that we are already supported every moment. There is the earth… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I wonder if I don't give too much of myself to writing: I am always half where I am; the other half… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
Sometimes people say to me, “I want to write, but I have five kids, a full-time job, a wife who beats me,… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
It’s much better to be a tribal writer, writing for all people and reflecting many voices through us, than to be a… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
Take out another notebook, pick up another pen, and just write, just write, just write. In the middle of the world, make… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
Learning to write is not a linear process. There is no logical A-to-B-to-C way to become a good writer. One neat truth… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I hear people say they're going to write. I ask, when? They give me vague statements. Indefinite plans get dubious results. When… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
You don't need to go to a therapist, you don't need to do all kinds of things. If you want to write,… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
“We learn writing by doing it. That simple. We don’t learn by going outside ourselves to authorities we think know about it.” — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
There's no such thing as a writer's block. If you're having trouble writing, well, pick up the pen and write. No matter… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
That's very nice if they want to publish you, but don't pay too much attention to it. It will toss you away.… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
When you write what you know, you stay in control. One of the first things I encourage my writing students to do… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
The positive thing about writing is that you connect with yourself in the deepest way. You get a chance to know who… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I have students that I tell, "If your book doesn't sell or you can't publish it, write another book. Quit sitting around."… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
“I met a doctor the other night who told me he had always wanted to be a writer. I nodded. People always… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
We have to accept ourselves in order to write. Now none of us does that fully: few of us do it even… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my studio and say, "You know, Nat, there's this chocolate you… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
I write because I am alone and move through the world alone. No one will know what has passed through me... I… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
As writers we live life twice, like a cow that eats its food once and then regurgitates it to chew and digest… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
We have to look at our own inertia, insecurities, self-hate, fear that, in truth, we have nothing valuable to say. When your… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share Image
“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
Over and over, we have to go back to the beginning. We should not be ashamed of this. It is good. It's like drinking… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time at my… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
To encounter a fine book and have time to read it is a wonderful thing. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
In the past few years I've assigned books to be read before a student attends one of my weeklong seminars. I have been astonished… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
“When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
Poetry is a dumb Buddha who thinks a donkey is as important as a diamond. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
“No matter what a person does to cover up and conceal themselves, when we write and lose control, I can spot a person from… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things really are. — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
I read Eve Ensler and thought it was fabulous. Not only that, but it was really the only thing I could relate to about… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like… — Natalie Goldberg Copy Share
