With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap
into writing creatively and well. She offers suggestions, encouragement, and solid advice on many aspects of the
writer's craft: on writing from "first thoughts" (keep your hand moving, don't cross out, just get it
on paper), on listening (writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write), on
using verbs (verbs provide the energy of the sentence), on overcoming doubts (doubt is torture; don't listen to
it) - even on choosing a restaurant in which to write. Goldberg, who has conducted writing workshops for beginners
as well as professionals all over the United States, sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the
value of their lives. The advice in her book, provided in short, easy-to-read chapters with titles that reflect
the author's witty approach ("Writing Is Not a McDonald's Hamburger," "Man Eats Car," "Be
an Animal"), will inspire anyone who writes - or who longs to.