Thunder and Lightning

Cracking Open the Writer's Craft

By: Natalie Goldberg

Narrated by: Natalie Goldberg

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Join the best-selling author of Writing Down the Bones as she gives you a map for taking your best ideas and inspirations - your thunder and lightning - and turning them into finished stories, essays, and novels.

The challenge we face as writers, Natalie Goldberg says, begins with the process of turning inward and then trying to communicate what we find. From the secret of letting characters and stories "write themselves" to finding mentor sources and responding to criticism to writing's one essential ingredient, which is the mind - here are all-new Zen-based lessons and reflections, refined and proven at Natalie's acclaimed national writers' workshops.

For published authors as well as new writers just filling their first notebooks, Natalie's vision encompasses not only the nuts and bolts of clear and complete writing but also the force from which books manifest.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Natalie Goldberg (P)2016 Sounds True

Inspiring

Natalie Goldberg always gets me excited to come at my writing from different angles, try new things. I love her frankness and her persistence. Mostly, I love the fact that she has attempted to make writing a practice for reaching levels if higher mind. No matter what type if creative work we do, we have moments of reaching that zone where we seem to flow and do our best work. The struggle to get there is very real...but so rewarding. Keep going, Natalie. I have completely enjoyed your journey.

Another great window into writing

Love Natalie and her perspective on writing. Her voice is soothing, patient, and expressive. Great tools. No shortcuts. Honest, deliberate and and comprehensive.

Extra stars for the ad libs!

Took the author’s workshop, book the book, read it but her audio is charming and drives home. Like the title—wet and flashing—raw and human. Grateful for author’s candor and big and humble mind.

An Essential Guide to Writing Practice

Natalie Goldberg is the only author whose books I return to again and again. “Thunder and Lightning” offers an age- and practice-refined look at writing and writing practice. Her guidance in writing practice is essential for anyone looking to start or continue writing seriously.

In between listenings to this audiobook, I also reread “Writing Down The Bones” (for the third time). Between the fresh view and refined view of writing, I found my own path to writing practice. Reading/listening to Goldberg’s work never ceases to help me swat away my monkey mind and get down to writing.

Unique

I am not a frustrated unpublished writer. Unfortunately, almost all books on writing, if not memoirs like Stephen King's excellent book, are formulaic-type things aimed at luring in these frustrated writers in to learn secrets and practices to get their works done and published. Not Goldberg. Like in "Writing Down The Bones", Ms. Goldberg hits the practice as pleasure in its own. This appeals to me, as it did when I first read "Bones" in the mid eighties. She's such a treasure, and unlike so many writers, she's a great reader!

Natalie in so inspiring!

After listening to Writing Down the Bones, I continued on to this book. Just excellent and she continues to let you know it’s ok to write how you write!

I’m in love!

I felt this book gave me such fiver for life as well as writing. I’m so glad this is part of my writing practice. I wish this was taught in all schools.

The depth of writer's mind

Loved it. Not a "how to" book but one on Writer's mind. No short cuts, "Take the long cut" she says. Writing practice is writing freely with no restrictions a recommended 2 yrs to train your awareness of details, of monkey mind, of opening up, of finding your voice into Writer's mind. Writer's Mind, Zen Mind. Authentic and vulnerable, the courageous Natalie Goldberg opens up her mind and heart to the reader/listener.
I also loved her comments, updates and insights while reading to us a book she wrote years earlier.

I love Natalie Goldberg

I could listen to Natalie talk about anything and plan to listen to all of her books! This book is no exception! Highly recommend!

Fun and insightful

Thunder and Lightning may not give you all the answers on writing, but it might just point you in the direction to start looking for yourself.

loved it!