# Quote — Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones

> The world isn't always black and white. A person may not be sure if she can go some place, but it is important, especially for a beginning writer, to make clear, assertive statements. "This is good." "It was a blue horse." Not "Well, I know it sounds funny but I think it was a blue horse."
>
> […] After I read the article, I went home and looked at a poem I had just written. I made myself take out all the vague, indefinite words and phrases. […] It made the poem much better.

- Author: [Natalie Goldberg](https://www.leafyquotes.com/natalie-goldberg.md)
- Book: [Writing Down the Bones](https://www.leafyquotes.com/natalie-goldberg/writing-down-the-bones.md)
- Page: 93
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Natalie_Goldberg#Writing_Down_the_Bones_(1986)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/natalie-goldberg/writing-down-the-bones/the-world-isnt

## More from this book

> What is important is not just what you do - "I am writing a book" - but how you do it, how you approach it, and what you come to value.
>
> […] There are many realities. We should remember this when we get too caught in being concerned about the way the rest of the world lives or how we think they live.

p. 127 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/natalie-goldberg/writing-down-the-bones/what-is-important.md)

> We give a lot of names to our excuses, to the reasons we don't want to write or we're afraid to. Finally, if you want to write, you have to just shut up, pick up a pen, and do it. I'm sorry there are no true excuses. Shut up and write.
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> […] It's pretty nice to be talented. If you are, enjoy, but it won't take you that far. Work takes you a lot further.
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> […] In writing I have confidence. Because I say I'm going to do it and I do it. That's all. Writing is the one thing in my life I continually show up for. I have given 100 percent to writing practice. That's what builds confidence.
>
> […] Don't be tossed away by your monkey mind. … These little voices are constantly going to be nagging at us. If you make a decision to do something, you do it. Don't be tossed away. … Don't be thrown off by yourself or anyone else. Let your big mind move forward.

p. 183 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/natalie-goldberg/writing-down-the-bones/we-give-a-lot.md)

> Push yourself beyond when you think you are done with what you have to say. […] It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.

p. 112 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/natalie-goldberg/writing-down-the-bones/push-yourself-beyond.md)