Old Friend from Far Away The Practice of Writing Memoir [Paperback]

“Memoir writers, buy this book, put it on your personal altar, or carry it with you as you traverse the deep ruts of your old road.” —Tom Spanbauer, author ofThe Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon

Old Friend from Far Awayteaches writers how to tap into their unique memories to tell their story.

Twenty years ago Natalie Goldberg’s classic,Writing Down the Bones, broke new ground in its approach to writing as a practice. Now,Old Friend from Far Away—her first book sinceWriting Down the Bonesto focus solely on writing—reaffirms Goldberg’s status as a foremost teacher of writing, and completely transforms the practice of writing memoir.

To write memoir, we must first know how to remember. Through timed, associative, and meditative exercises,Old Friend from Far Awayguides you to the attentive state of thought in which you discover and open forgotten doors of memory. At once a beautifully written celebration of the memoir form, an innovative course full of practical teachings, and a deeply affecting meditation on consciousness, love, life, and death,Old Friend from Far Awaywelcomes aspiring writers of all levels and encourages them to find their unique voice to tell their stories. LikeWriting Down the Bones, it will become an old friend to which readers return again and again. A celebration of the memoir form...an impassioned call to write, delivered by an author who knows how to zero in on the truth, and lead others there as well. If you're serious about finding that voice inside yourself, Natalie Goldberg is a teacher you have to meet. -- Steve Almond, author ofCandyfreakand(Not That You Asked) A writer -- both energized and enlightened. -- Julia Cameron, author ofThe Artist's Way An invaluable addition to any writer's (or reader's) bookshelf. Each new chapter is another gift, unlocking the mystery of the story of thl#0