Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir (For Aspiring Writers)

Old Friend from Far Away comes at the daunting task of teaching us how to write memoir from a different angle, which is exactly the author's advice about *writing* memoir. She spends time showing us how approaching at a different angle draws forth memories that are locked away. She teaches us how to practice. She shares examples of well-written memoir by other authors. And in the final pages, she explains how to bring your memoir together, determine your theme, throw out the parts that don't follow the theme (hopefully to be used later), re-do parts that don't get it "right" (by approaching from still more angles)... She makes clear that she does not dictate a single formula for writing memoir. Also, at the end, she succinctly sums up Guidelines and Advice for Writing Memoir by listing the concepts and the page numbers on which the advice can be found. You can see here, in this bare bones listing, how the teaching has been in a non-linear (and in my opinion, brilliant) manner, as the page numbers are in no tidy order. I devoured this book, taking copious notes (as I checked it out from the library first). I also checked out the recording of a class she gave in Taos, NM. When I finished the book, I followed the listing on the Guidelines pages to re-read her advice in the order of the Guidelines. And then I bought my own copy. Now, after having read the book (you don't need to hear her speak to understand her voice, but it does help to listen to the workshop recording), I am ready to read it again, but this time I am doing the writing practices. The quality of my memories, the richness, the ability to follow any thought that comes forward... my end product is so much better than the attempts I made before reading this book. Writing practice is important. That's why there are so many prompts. They are there to show how memories come from even the most mundane things. They help us get past the doubts about our skills and our recollections, our fear of what people in our lives will think. They help us draw out things we haven't thought about in (literally for me) decades, and with such vibrancy that they MUST be captured on a page. In my opinion, anyone who feels there were too many writing prompts, or feels Natalie Goldberg does NOT give concrete advice and guidance on writing memoir, or fails to warn us of pitfalls, or is not useful... well, such people did not really read this book cover to cover, nor did they follow Natalie's advice to practice writing. And if these people skimmed the book looking for "do this, do this, do this, and BAM, you have a memoir" completely missed the chapters House and Structure, and certainly did not read the Guidelines pages. This is the single most important book on writing - period - that I have read. I am almost 60 at this writing. I went to university. I have dabbled in my muse off and on throughout my life. I recently took a course on writing mystery. In all my courses, classes, and workshops, I have been told that there is one structure for each type of writing, and I have struggled to follow a formula and have a pleasing result. It's not until I read this book that the flame of inspiration I had in my teen years - prior to being shown the cookie cutters to which I was expected to conform in order to receive approval - has rekindled to the point where I feel I MUST write again. In short, if you're looking for a formula, don't get this book. But if you're looking for a true workshop in drawing forth memories, in learning HOW to PRACTICE writing, in understanding you must create a structure that shapes your story rather than trying to force your life story into Memoir Structure 7A approved by University Instructor 229C... Well, if you really want to write a moving memoir, you must buy this book.

This book is a rare find. I am an unschooled writer but have been writing my entire life. I am also an earth sculptor. I wrote a journalistic book entitled "Earth Mothers: One Woman's Path of Healing Through Motherhood, Art and the Earth." It is about creating a series of life-sized women out of earth - dirt. I sent my book to several people and to an agent. Although people loved the writing, the book needs help. The agent said I need a stronger narrative. I came across Natalie's book and have, page by page, been doing the exercises. I am slowly rewriting my entire book. Through the process of these writing exercises, I am learning things about myself and about my life that I had not previously unearthed. It has been illuminating and it has offered a very different construct to how I tell my story. My book is meant to guide others through their own healing. But it has to be done in a way that can be heard. Part of my life purpose is to guide others to have their voices heard. Right now I am a book designer [...]. I am guiding authors to get their voices out there. Later, in the next stage of my life, I will be conducting workshops to guide women to access their deepest selves so that they themselves may hear and speak their own voices. It is imperative that in my own book, I am able to draw people in, so that they can, if they so desire, learn from my own growing, learn from my own daring to speak my voice. Natalie's book is clear, no nonsense, forthright, and gets you right to it, if you're willing to go the distance. It is guiding me to offer the gift of my own passage in a way that may invite and encourage the reader's own healing. Thank you, Natalie, for helping me on my path! Robin Brooks, western Massachusetts

I like this better than Writing Down the Bones for getting me to write instead of just reading. Excellent prompts and you can write for just 15 minutes so I use it often.

Anything by Natalie Goldberg is always excellent and not something that can be reviewed and then put away. I have been using and learning from her book, Writing Down the Bones since I first got it many years ago. She is one of the most effective and successful teachers of writing today. I, too, am a writing teacher though I would never claim to be at her level. Nevertheless, I am teaching a class in this fall in Memoir Writing so I was delighted to find this new book filled with all kinds of helpful ideas which will make my job so much easier. If you write, if you want to write, if you teach writing, even if you just like to read, you need to become acquainted with Natalie Goldberg. You cannot go wrong with her practical .ideas and insight. I highly recommend this book and others by Natalie Goldberg.

I like this book a lot, and it's full of great information for the budding writer who wants to write about his/her life. My book is not a memoir, but the information here was still valuable. I have another of her books that I like a lot as well. The information is clear and creatively written, inspiring the writer in us!

I love the prompts in this book. Very usable, natural, down to earth. They almost don't feel like writing prompts. I'm using them in a writing class this semester!

Most books I've read on writing just explain writing, but this book actually gives instructions for writing and writing prompts on nearly every page. For example: Write your life story in ten minutes. GO! I'll read anything by the author, she's one of my favorites, but if you're looking for a book to actually get you away from reading and into writing, this is the one.

This month was my turn to host book club. I chose this book because I was looking for a catalyst to get writing, and Goldberg does just that: she helps me feel motivated and capable. She helps me to access details I cannot otherwise reach. She is inspiring and enabling, and I am so grateful for her generosity in her writing. This book was exactly what I was looking for, and I have a notebook full of writing to spur me onward. What could be better than that?