Follow these six rules as you write... natalie goldberg...

Follow these six rules as you write:

1 Keep your hand moving. (Don’t pause to reread the line you have just written. That’s stalling and trying to get control of what you’re saying. Don’t stop until the time is up.)

2 Don’t cross out. (That is editing as you write. Even if you write something you didn’t mean to write, leave it. Don’t backspace.)

3 Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar. (Don’t even care about staying within the margins and lines on the page.)

4 Lose control.

5 Don’t think. Don’t get logical.

6 Go for the jugular. (If something comes up in your writing that is scary or naked, dive right into it. It probably has lots of energy.)

Writing practices are raw, wild, and free flowing. The aim is to burn through to first thoughts. There is no good or bad with Writing Practice. It is what it is. Most importantly, Writing Practice keeps us in the practice of writing. It serves as the most basic approach to any writing we do, including finished pieces.

Pick up your favorite pen. It should be a fast-writing pen. Grab a spiral notebook. Nothing fancy. Or, if you prefer, use your keyboard.

Select a Writing Topic. Set a time limit. Ten minutes works well to begin. We’ve noticed we tend to go deeper with our writing when we write even longer.

The timed aspect of writing is important. Whatever amount of time you choose, you must commit yourself to it for the full time. Set an intention - 10 minutes, 20 minutes, half an hour. Then, Go!

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