Natalie Goldberg

What they argue

Natalie Goldberg is a thinker who explores the psychological and spiritual dimensions of the writing process. She focuses on overcoming the internal barriers to creativity, specifically the paralysis caused by perfectionism and the 'inner critic.'

1. The Inner Critic

   The inner critic is an internal voice of judgment and 'shoulds' rooted in a desire for social approval. It acts as the primary obstacle to creative flow by mocking and inhibiting the writer's work.

   From Thunder and lightning (book)

   • Says much the same Michael A. Singer — The Inner RoommateThe inner roommate is the constant stream of thoughts, judgments, and reactions that pop into your head throughout the day. It is the 'voice' that narrates your life…The surrender experiment
   • A related idea Elaine N. Aron — The Inner Critic vs. The Inner SupporterThe inner critic is the part of the mind that judges and sets impossible standards, while the inner supporter offers realistic encouragement. One must replace the…The undervalued self

2. The Wild Voice

   The wild voice represents the raw, unedited experience of the moment. It is the authentic voice of experience that can only be heard when the internal critic is tamed.

   From Wild mind (book)

3. Writing as an Act of Discovery

   Writing is not merely putting down pre-determined thoughts, but a process of 'digging' into one's own life. It is a way to discover what one actually thinks, feels, and believes rather than performing what one thinks they should say.

   From Writing Down the Bones (book)

   • Says much the same William Zinsser — Writing as a Thinking ProcessWriting is not a reporting process where one records pre-formed thoughts, but a process where one produces thoughts. The act of writing forces the brain to organize…Writing to learn
   • A related idea Steven Pinker — Writing as Cognitive ScienceWriting is a cognitive act of communication where the primary goal is to minimize the 'cognitive load' on the reader. Because humans have limited working memory,…The Sense of Style

4. The Two-Phase/Two-Pass Process

   To protect the creative spark from the analytical mind, writers should separate the process into two distinct phases. The first phase involves a 'Wild Pass' or 'Thunder' where the critic is silenced to allow for discovery.

   From Wild mind (book)

5. The Ritual of Entry

   To overcome the friction of starting, writers can create a ritual to prepare the mind for the discovery phase. This includes designating a specific space, such as a chair or desk, where only writing occurs.

   From Writing Down the Bones (book)

   • A related idea John McPhee — Writing as an Archaeological ProcessMcPhee rejects the idea of a 'writerly' voice that conjures stories from imagination, arguing instead that writing is an archaeological process of discovery. The…Draft No. 4

6. The Polished Lie

   Goldberg warns against producing 'perfect' prose that is actually hollow because it was written to please others. This occurs when a writer allows the inner critic to dictate the style over the truth.

   From Thunder and lightning (book)

Every idea names the summary it came from. Written by a local model from this mind’s own work, never from memory.

Books 5

• The Complete Writer's Kit — Writing is an act of courage that requires silencing the internal critic to allow the raw, honest voice of the writer…
• Living color — Writing is an act of courage that requires silencing the internal critic to allow the raw, messy, and authentic…
• Thunder and lightning — Writing is not a matter of technique, but of courage; it is the act of putting your true, messy, and often terrifying…
• Wild mind — Writing is not a technical skill to be mastered, but a spiritual and psychological practice of taming the internal…
• Writing Down the Bones — Writing is not a performance of skill, but a courageous act of discovery where you find your unique voice by stripping…