Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir (For Aspiring Writers)

Old Friend from Far Away comes at the daunting task of teaching us how to write memoir from a different angle, which is exactly the author's advice about *writing* memoir. She spends time showing us how approaching at a different angle draws forth memories that are locked away. She teaches us how to practice. She shares examples of well-written memoir by other authors. And in the final pages, she explains how to bring your memoir together, determine your theme, throw out the parts that don't follow the theme (hopefully to be used later), re-do parts that don't get it "right" (by approaching from still more angles)... She makes clear that she does not dictate a single formula for writing memoir.Also, at the end, she succinctly sums up Guidelines and Advice for Writing Memoir by listing the concepts and the page numbers on which the advice can be found. You can see here, in this bare bones listing, how the teaching has been in a non-linear (and in my opinion, brilliant) manner, as the page numbers are in no tidy order.I devoured this book, taking copious notes (as I checked it out from the library first). I also checked out the recording of a class she gave in Taos, NM. When I finished the book, I followed the listing on the Guidelines pages to re-read her advice in the order of the Guidelines.And then I bought my own copy. Now, after having read the book (you don't need to hear her speak to understand her voice, but it does help to listen to the workshop recording), I am ready to read it again, but this time I am doing the writing practices.The quality of my memories, the richness, the ability to follow any thought that comes forward... my end product is so much better than the attempts I made before reading this book.Writing practice is important. That's why there are so many prompts. They are there to show how memories come from even the most mundane things. They help us get past the doubts about our skills and our recollections, our fear of what people in our lives will think. They help us draw out things we haven't thought about in (literally for me) decades, and with such vibrancy that they MUST be captured on a page.In my opinion, anyone who feels there were too many writing prompts, or feels Natalie Goldberg does NOT give concrete advice and guidance on writing memoir, or fails to warn us of pitfalls, or is not useful... well, such people did not really read this book cover to cover, nor did they follow Natalie's advice to practice writing. And if these people skimmed the book looking for "do this, do this, do this, and BAM, you have a memoir" completely missed the chapters House and Structure, and certainly did not read the Guidelines pages.This is the single most important book on writing - period - that I have read. I am almost 60 at this writing. I went to university. I have dabbled in my muse off and on throughout my life. I recently took a course on writing mystery. In all my courses, classes, and workshops, I have been told that there is one structure for each type of writing, and I have struggled to follow a formula and have a pleasing result. It's not until I read this book that the flame of inspiration I had in my teen years - prior to being shown the cookie cutters to which I was expected to conform in order to receive approval - has rekindled to the point where I feel I MUST write again.In short, if you're looking for a formula, don't get this book. But if you're looking for a true workshop in drawing forth memories, in learning HOW to PRACTICE writing, in understanding you must create a structure that shapes your story rather than trying to force your life story into Memoir Structure 7A approved by University Instructor 229C... Well, if you really want to write a moving memoir, you must buy this book.

I love the title, the cover, and the inspiration for the title. I like her process and ideas to get you started in the practice of writing. But I didn’t read the book from beginning to end. I put it down rather early. I realized I could return to it anytime, pick any page, and follow her suggestion. But I will unlikely do this unless I have stopped my writing because I’m out of ideas.

This book is a rare find. I am an unschooled writer but have been writing my entire life. I am also an earth sculptor. I wrote a journalistic book entitled "Earth Mothers: One Woman's Path of Healing Through Motherhood, Art and the Earth." It is about creating a series of life-sized women out of earth - dirt. I sent my book to several people and to an agent. Although people loved the writing, the book needs help. The agent said I need a stronger narrative.I came across Natalie's book and have, page by page, been doing the exercises. I am slowly rewriting my entire book. Through the process of these writing exercises, I am learning things about myself and about my life that I had not previously unearthed. It has been illuminating and it has offered a very different construct to how I tell my story.My book is meant to guide others through their own healing. But it has to be done in a way that can be heard. Part of my life purpose is to guide others to have their voices heard. Right now I am a book designer [...]. I am guiding authors to get their voices out there. Later, in the next stage of my life, I will be conducting workshops to guide women to access their deepest selves so that they themselves may hear and speak their own voices. It is imperative that in my own book, I am able to draw people in, so that they can, if they so desire, learn from my own growing, learn from my own daring to speak my voice.Natalie's book is clear, no nonsense, forthright, and gets you right to it, if you're willing to go the distance. It is guiding me to offer the gift of my own passage in a way that may invite and encourage the reader's own healing.Thank you, Natalie, for helping me on my path!Robin Brooks, western Massachusetts

This morning at 4:30 I turned on the light to read a few more pages of Old Friend From Far Away. I skipped toward the end and read about how at a celebration for the twentieth anniversary of Natalie's first book, a woman who took her writing class when she was a young student at an alternative school, stood up to speak. The woman told her story of how one Monday Natalie brought in a bushel of rich red apples she'd picked the day before at an orchard near the school. This was a family orchard where a month before the oldest son had been killed in a bizarre gun accident. The woman revealed that this young man had been her first love.When I got to the part where the woman explained how Natalie's writing class gave her an avenue for expressing her suffering and grief, I found myself sobbing (in a good way) with recognition of the truth of her words.After the woman finishes telling her story Natalie writes:"It's a holy thing to be a writer. It is why you want to write your memoir: to remember all of it. The good and the bad. To trust your experience, to have confidence that your moments and the moments of others on this earth mattered... It is a great thing you are doing whatever it is you are remembering. You are saying that life--and its passing--have true value."I hesitated to buy Old Friend From Far Away since I already have Natalie Goldberg's other enormously helpful writing books. But all the praise from other writers is well-deserved. Every page makes me want to click my heels with delight--even the pages that make me cry. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!--Suza Francina, author, [...] and yoga books for people at midlife and older.

This book was required literature for a course in writing, and I used it extensively for that course. The more I used it, the more it irritated me. It does not do what it promises, i.e. 'teach you to write a memoir'. Quite the contrary: apart from many almost blank pages, just containing subjects to write about (called 'prompts' in the jargon) and saying: '10 minutes. Go!' almost ad nauseam - there is nothing. No theory, no tips, no real exercise material one can check to improve. There are many books on this subject which are much better and really help. This particular book is a waste of money for buying it and time for reading - but the frustration and irritation its use engenders are even worse.

Natalie Goldberg is my favourite writing guru. She has so much wisdom and the benefit of years of writing experience to share. This book surpassed my expectations, it has personal insights from Natalie, writing exercises and lots in there to inspire you to write your memoir. I had reached a dead end with mine but reading Old Friend from Far Away has given me a fresh perspective on the art of memoir and I am enjoying writing again

Not enough ways to describe how wonderful this book is. So, so many writing prompts and ideas. Perfect for all writers, whether starting out or the more seasoned. Also love Natalie Goldberg's writing approach, very engaging. Highly recommend.

This is like a book written by a long time friend. Lots of short chapters with some excellent wisdom in each one.

Thisis a fantastic for all would be writers. By getting you writing every day it really helps the crearive flow, and helps dig up mermories ,long forgotten. Natalie is a genius.