[.ca] Old Friend from Far Away (ISBN 1564559599)

Natalie Goldberg is our girlfriend!:
I feel as if I know Natalie! After all, I have listened to all of her writing workshops and read most of her books. How cool is it to listen to a "Writing Workshop" while taking a walk in your neighborhood!? And to listen to Natalie's (New York-Minnesota-New Mexico accent!) Loooove her. "Old Friend from Far Away" is wonderful. Natalie gives the writer many ideas about how to get that pen moving, how to write that first sentence..."Write... I remember. My first kiss. My favorite meal is. My father was. My worse food. My favorite river." And Details... People are really interested. Not the flower...what kind of flower. Not red...Ruby, cranberry, rose. Get it???!!!!!! And what is Natalie's most amazing advice???? WRITING PRACTICE. If you know anything about Natalie, you would have realized that. She reads to us from some of her favorite authors and poets. She says that "Ballad of the Sad Cafe" by Carson Mccullers is the reason she became a writer. She says that we need to name things... Spanish olive, Oak tree, Buttercup. Isn't that more concrete than olive, tree, flower!!???? Natalie tells us to get going, write, pick up the pen. And practice, practice, practice!!!!!!! Well, what are you waiting for?!!!

Inspiring, motivating, and fun:
This audio was a joy to listen to. I feel so motivated to continue writing my memoir. I took notes, but more than that I listened to Natalie's voice and felt encouraged. (Her voice made me homesick with her pronounced New York accent).She gives examples of other authors' memoirs as well as her own. She helped me keep going with my own story, which I stopped when the going got tough. Writing is the easiest activity in the world to procrastinate (easier to start a diet!) But I found myself welcomed and my life's story valued by listening to her. If you want a shot in the arm or a gentle nudge, to motivate your writing, get this tape. Thanks, Natalie!!