Writing Down the Bones Book Club, Chapter Two Session

Welcome to Writing Down the Bones — not just a book, but a quiet revolution in how we approach writing, creativity, and ourselves.
Natalie Goldberg wrote this book as a kind of permission slip. She reminds us that writing isn’t about waiting for brilliance — it’s about showing up, pen in hand, and trusting what comes through. She blends Zen practice with the craft of writing, urging us to let the words move like breath: steady, unfiltered, alive.
In this book, there are no rules, only invitations. Goldberg teaches that writing is a form of meditation, an act of being present. The goal isn’t a perfect sentence; it’s honesty on the page. Each chapter offers short reflections that help us loosen our grip on perfectionism and reconnect with the pure joy of expression — even when what spills out is messy, strange, or raw.
As we read together, think of this club as your practice space — a dojo for the creative spirit. We’ll experiment with Goldberg’s prompts, challenge our inner critics, and learn to trust our wild, unedited voices.
Let’s write like it matters, because it does — not for publication or applause, but for the simple truth that putting words on paper changes us.
So take a breath. Pick up your pen. Let’s get to the bones of it.

### Chapter/Theme 2: Composting

Summary: The idea that experiences need time to settle and ferment (like compost) before they become usable writing. Shannon Turlington+1
Exercise:

• Think of an experience from 6-12 months ago that still “feels unresolved” for you. Write for 15 minutes about just details: sights, smells, textures, emotions — no story or judgment, just the raw stuff.
• Then write a second 5-minute burst: “What might this mean now?”
• In discussion: share how the delay (time since the event) changes the way you write about it.