Natalie Goldberg’s Writing on Empty is a book that doesn’t know what it wants to be. The cover’s subtitle claims it’s “a guide to finding your voice,” but this isn’t the case—the book is much closer to a memoir than a guide, and even as a memoir, it’s focus is unclear.

The problem: Writing guru Goldberg has lost the will to write during the pandemic. The solution? Well, that’s what she wants to find out. As a writer who also struggled to write (read: wrote nothing) during this time, I think this is an excellent premise for a memoir, made even more interesting due to Goldberg’s 50-year career and, as she’s well aware, her advancing age. I found the opening section the strongest, in which Goldberg ponders whether there is still a place for her in literature as a septuagenarian; should she move out of the way for newer, younger writers? I don’t think so, but it’s a fair question made urgent by the fact of her writer’s block.

From there, the narrative slipped and dissolved into something less than coherent. Goldberg frequently recalls memories of her past—understandable given the circumstances—but then intersperses these memories with diatribes against the internet, racism, and her own frustration. Her authorial tone for much of the book struck me as odd: She makes little attempt to understand technology or the people who use it (Zen living appears to be the only acceptable way of living to Goldberg, which doesn’t sound very Zen), and then tries to appear “hip” and “woke” with mentions of protests and poverty. It’s not that any of these tangents are inherently unworthy ideas—I too dislike social media and racism—but what purpose they served in Goldberg’s quest to regain her writing practice was unclear.

That said, I applaud Goldberg for attempting to put words to wordlessness, as well as for writing about the pandemic as sensitively as one can, more or less. I wish I could have gotten more out of her story, but my interest was lost around halfway through, and by the end it was a struggle to finish reading.

The description is misleading. This was my first Goldberg book and I found the title misleading. I was expecting a how-to or inspirational book on getting back into writing but this book wasn't it but rather conversations.
I dnf'ed at about 20% mark.

I've read almost every book on writing Natalie Goldberg has put out. Writing Down the Bones was the "textbook" for one of my first writing courses, and it was like discovering an entire universe of words and permission to write. It meant SO much to me--I still have that tattered paperback on my self, in fact, alongside several of her other books. But Writing on Empty was a miss for me. I don't want to read about the pandemic, and I didn't struggle to write during those times--I actually wrote a ton. I can empathize that everyone is different, that this was HER experience, but I actively disliked reading this book, and it felt more like a diary of her struggling to write through the pandemic than a book about writing in general.

I liked this one! It wasn’t what I expected - which was a guidance or instruction type book. This was more of a memoir. But I still enjoyed it. Maybe should just have been a bit more clear on its description of the book.

Natalie Goldberg has written a book about craft that is unique and honest. I liked this personal approach to writing methods and would gladly share this book in a graduate/undergraduate composition course.

I have really enjoyed and learned from every one of Natalie Goldberg’s offerings which I have read. This was no exception. A great new offering to help those of us who aspire to writing more.

I enjoyed that Natalie Goldberg included personal stories alongside the writing advice. This short but useful book was a pleasure to read and had reignited my writing. I am sure others will enjoy it too.

Classic Goldberg. I enjoyed this musing of a beloved writing guru struggling with her own writing (and emotional) challenges during covid. It's nice to know a writer like Goldberg has the same insecurities as us all. And gosh, do I agree with her about the internet and our world's obsession with our phones/screen/media as something that is robbing us of our humanity.

This was such an amazing book. As a writer, it helped me tap into my writing practice on a different level. I will be recommending to all my writer friends.

I've always appreciated Natalie Goldberg's words of wisdom on writing. "Writing Down the Bones" is one of my favorite books on the writing life. This new book, "Writing on Empty" was not my favorite. In this book, the author tells of how she struggled to write during the pandemic. I just couldn't relate; I got lots of writing during the pandemic. This might be a good book for writers who do struggle to write, for whatever reason. I appreciated this book, but it was just not for me.

Many readers, if they think about it, would probably say writing is a solitary process. For some, that may be true. Locking themselves away and growling at those who'd dare distract them from the muse. For others, however, they need people. They flock to the nearest coffee shop, quaint little cafe, or even the library. They simply need people and the hum of life about them. That was Natalie Goldberg. She needed the energy, spark, sheer inspiration of not being isolated. Then covid happened. This is her story of dealing with writer's block during the forced isolation of the pandemic and ultimately reclaiming her muse..

Although marketed as a guide for writers, this is a partly memoir, partly a deep dive into herself and relationships, and, yes, a guide for writers. The guideline doesn't really appear in plain words until the end and then it pretty obviously wasn't written by Goldberg, hence my 4.5 rounded to a 5 star. It does, however, tie all the many, many threads together in my mind. I'm not going to detail them aside from saying personal experiences and structure are vital. In the process of getting to the guidelines/suggestions, you'll get to know Goldberg well, including her family and friends, not to mention idol Hemingway. Oh, he's dead you say? No reason you can't sit at his graveside and chat with him anyway, right? Goldberg is open and intense and her writing shines. I felt taken in by it immediately and as if she were talking to me, not writing words in a spiral notebook (more on that in the book). She shares those uncertain, uneasy early days of the pandemic when we all thought it would be brief,as well as real life outside, taking those of us who shared those same events back with her. It isn't always a comfortable journey by any means, but it's real and personal. We also get to see how her own past and sense of isolation as a child, in particular, helped form the Natalie Goldberg that is.

Bottom line, being more introverted than not, I realize now that my relatively easy sailing through the pandemic wasn't the norm. Yes, many of us arranged strategic, supposedly safe meetings in parks and such with friends, but in the process, Goldberg segues from topic to topic, sharing with friends and in her own head. It's all fascinating and a bit confusing at time but never dull. As noted, I felt pulled in from the first page. The epilogue, which is where the author instructions/suggestions finally appear, manages to maintain something of that air of intimacy while offering connections and possible writing prompts. This is a book that will draw you back from time to time, I'm thinking, too. Her personal saga and insights are worth the return visits. Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #StMartin'sEssentials for sharing this wonderful bit of memoir and inspiration with me. Writers or simply readers who wonder what might go on inside the writer's head while producing books, this book should be a must on your tbr list.

Based on the title and subtitle of the book, I thought it would be similar to books like On Writing Well and Bird by Bird. It was less of a how-to or inspirational book on finding your writing voice and more of a specific account of all the conversations and excerpts that led the author back to her own voice during the pandemic. It was a fine book, just not what I had expected.

Like a cozy chat with an old friend, Writing on Empty reminds us of the early days of the Covid epidemic when nothing was certain and for many of us, like Natalie Goldberg, our creative life disappeared. If you've never read her writing, this is a great book to start with. If you're already a fan, don't miss this. For those of us who are also writers, Natalie helpfully includes some writing exercises at the end.

This is tough to review and rate because, as others have pointed out, the description is misleading.. This is a memoir, not a writing guide or "a guide to finding your voice". The book doesn't release until July, so I would suggest Macmillan update the cover with a more accurate tag line. Maybe something like: The author's personal journey to rediscovering her voice. Just an idea. :) I would have given it at least 4 stars if it hadn't been marketed as a book on writing.

This is a memoir by Natalie Goldberg through the lens of her struggles with creativity during the pandemic: from connections to lack of them. She rallies against the internet and technology, and loves in person connection with others and nature. My major bump reading this is that it's marketed as a writer's instructive guidebook, as a writer's craft book. It's not, aside from a tacked on epilogue, that doesn't seem to be written by Goldberg.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Goldberg and would like some insight into her views on creativity and connection. I would recommend anyone looking for a writer's craft book to read her seminal text Writing Down the Bones.

“Writing on Empty” is a lovely memoir of how beloved teacher Natalie Goldberg overcame the isolation of COVID and her ensuing writer’s block. Using her own life as an example, Goldberg’s essays and writing tips will help writers and others find their creative spark when it appears to be gone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I was so excited to get a change to review this work! I'm a huge fan of Writing Down the Bones, and her newest work did not disappoint. Her books are inspiring and useful to writers of all genres.

Not at all what I expected. The premise is well intended and something every writer and reader alike can relate to, as many of us faced difficult transitions, isolation, and a greater appreciation of our own mortality during the pandemic. However, the book reads more like a memoir than a guide. I loved all of Goldberg’s previous books, but in this one, her writing tips don’t appear until more than halfway through the book. There are some important takeaways, such as confronting the past in order to write more freely and respecting what voices in our history can still teach us today. It would have been more appropriate to name this book — Writing on Empty: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Affirmation During the Pandemic.

DNF. Not for me. Too triggering. I opened to the description of the mental pain of being unable to be creative in March 202o, almost threw up, and closed the book.

I thought this was a great book about rediscovering your creativity and love for writing. I'll admit that it was challenging to read about the pandemic--it's still a difficult time to talk about--but it was a necessary reminder to understand why so many of us are still struggling to find our creative groove again.