Writing Down the Bones Audiobook By Natalie Goldberg cover art

Writing Down the Bones

Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Writing Down the Bones

By: Natalie Goldberg
Narrated by: Natalie Goldberg
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $31.47

Buy for $31.47

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

With nearly one million copies of the book Writing Down the Bones in print, Natalie Goldberg has helped change the way writing is practiced in homes, schools, and workshops across America.

Here is a new collector's edition of this modern classic as you have never heard it before, read by Natalie Goldberg herself and then infused with her most personal reflections about this "magic manual" for all writers. Try these ingenious, Zen-based exercises to expand your writing skills - or just for fun.

© Natalie Goldberg; (P) Sounds True
Communication & Social Skills Creativity Personal Development Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Inspiring Physical Exercise Writing Poetry

Featured Article: 45+ Quotes About Writing from Famous Writers


No matter how passionate you are about it, writing can be difficult. Whenever you’re struggling with writer’s block, rejection, competition, insecurity, or any of the countless obstacles that wordsmiths encounter daily, it can help to get encouragement from those who have successfully overcome the very same challenges. If you're looking for inspiration to start your next project, these quotes about writing from writers themselves are sure to be welcome reading!

Inspirational Writing Guidance • Zen-influenced Approach • Calming Narration • Insightful Author Commentary
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I agree Goldberg's voice is difficult to get used to. I am glad that I had read all the reviews before I bought this. I think you have to make friends with Natalie and listen like you would to a wise friend or grandmother. Her information is good and informative. Not everything will apply to everyone. She is kinda outlandish at times. But again, how badly do you want to write your best stuff? If you want to write better, then get over the voice and listen anyway.

Better other think...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listening to this book is like spending the morning in Starbucks with a trusted friend.

My New Best Friend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This is a really wonderful book for anyone interested in writing... in any form. Natalie Goldberg has an inspired and incredibly empowering outlook on what it means to sit down, choose words and construct sentences.

I've listened-to/read a number of similar books, but this one is special. Goldberg has an irreverence towards the craft, which is somehow steeped in her own Zen Buddhist training, and the product is something which gives the writer a compass for how to view life, how to view writing, and what the relationship is between the two. She never goes so far as to proselytize her beliefs, but rather explains them in a completely comprehensible and arresting way.

This audiobook version is particularly special in that she seems to comment on each chapter after it's been read... I'm not sure if that's in the actual updated print version of the book, but it sounds like an improvised riffing on what she thinks about the book with several years of hindsight.

A very special guru

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book was incredible. I did as one of the other reviewers suggested and listened at 1.25x speed. No judgements with Natalie, only encouragement to your own direction. Shut up and write. If your not driven, noodle your way. Just write.
Thank you! On to my writing

Get this book if you are a writer!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Exceptional. Developing as a writer necessitates an embrace of the process, to give oneself room. At each turn of this book, Natalie empathically reminded me to write, write some more and embrace the process. Brilliant!

The One Thing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book is about the practice of writing. And how it is like the practice of meditation.

Read by the author, it is pleasant and warm and friendly. It's fun.

Great merging of Buddhism and writing.

Great Mindfulness and Writing Practice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book is so much more than just wonderful lessons about writing, this is a wonderful book about life itself, and how to navigate through disappointments, and bad times, as well as enjoy the good times for what they really are. This book teaches you how to move forward to do the things you want to do, but not feel bad about yourself if you are not ready to do that right away. I highly recommend this book, and I am actually going to go back and listen to it again and take notes of all of her writing tips so that hopefully I can utilize them in my journey to finally write the book that has been trying to burst out of my mind and body.

Love This Sooooo Much!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This reflective anniversary version of Writing Down the Bones was the absolute best experience ever. I did not want it to end. The questions asked were great and Natalie's reflections after each section added a whole new dimension to the information taught to a new aspiring author like myself. I did not like the music at first because I was eager to continue with the next chapter and I felt like the music delayed the excitement of turning the page. Towards the end I realized the music was a perfect addition to allow me to digest what I was learning. Great Job to everyone involved in creating this audiobook!👍♥️

Absolutely the best of the best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I first bought and read this review in the 80's and it was a revelation. Virtually all books on writers writing were some form of instruction, a format trying to guide. This book was, and is, completely different. Even more than 30 years later, it's still fresh, it's still definitely relevant, which is why it's still popular and in print. Ms. Goldberg is a great reader! I'd seen some interviews and speeches with her on YouTube. She speaks clearly and in an unhurried manner. I'd love to take one of her classes in person, but this is such a great way to revisit the book.

An Old Friend...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Beautiful, honest, and raw process of writing from the heart and as a practice. Grateful that Natalie shares her insights with the world.

Brilliant exposure on writing as zen practice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews