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The Writing Life
The Writing Life: Ideas and Inspiration for Anyone Who Wants to Write
Through their many bestselling books, Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron have done nothing less than deepen the way millions of us experience the art and practice of writing and creativity. Now with The Writing Life , Cameron and Goldberg join forces for the first time in this revealing dialogue that speaks to our common search for an everyday spirituality.
Join these two creative giants as they explode cherished misconceptions about who should write, and why they should do it, opening the door to the writer's world for everybody, not just a chosen few. Goldberg and Cameron take us inside their personal lives as committed writers and spiritual seekers, and explore the following How can writing best be practiced? What is the difference between therapeutic writing and writing for publication? How do we conquer the twin dragons of mood and time? Is it dangerous or inspirational to dabble in different arts such as music, painting, and writing? How is addiction related to the writer's life?
Edgy, surprising, and useful for its hard-won advice, The Writing Life is an invitation to a life-transforming act that requires no more than a pen, some paper, and the will to get started.
Join these two creative giants as they explode cherished misconceptions about who should write, and why they should do it, opening the door to the writer's world for everybody, not just a chosen few. Goldberg and Cameron take us inside their personal lives as committed writers and spiritual seekers, and explore the following How can writing best be practiced? What is the difference between therapeutic writing and writing for publication? How do we conquer the twin dragons of mood and time? Is it dangerous or inspirational to dabble in different arts such as music, painting, and writing? How is addiction related to the writer's life?
Edgy, surprising, and useful for its hard-won advice, The Writing Life is an invitation to a life-transforming act that requires no more than a pen, some paper, and the will to get started.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 1999
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490 people want to read
About the author
Julia Cameron
102 books2,284 followersJulia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years, with fifteen books (including bestsellers The Artist's Way, Walking In This World and The Right to Write) and countless television, film, and theater scripts to her credit. Writing since the age of 18, Cameron has a long list of screenplay and teleplay credits to her name, including an episode of Miami Vice, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film, God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making film, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. Her profound teachings on unlocking creativity and living from the creative center have inspired countless artists to unleash their full potential.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
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October 25, 2022Fascinating interview with Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg. I was completely convinced of Cameron's take when she was talking and then entirely sure of Goldberg's when she gently disagreed or vice a versa. There was a soft harmony between them.
May 29, 2022
It was a pleasure listening to these two writers and teachers share their opinions and ideas. Sometimes these were similar and other times quite different (get serious about your writing/lighten up and don't take yourself seriously) helping me understand that there are many approaches to creating and none are wrong. Each of us has to find our own way, but with the wisdom of these women I have more ideas on which paths to try.
November 19, 2022
Being someone who has recently (last 2 years heavily) Discovered the Beauty of Writing + Journaling specifically, this was deeply Inspiring.
June 4, 2025
An easy listen for a bit of inspiration between these two fabulous writers. I do feel like Julia Cameron can be a little out of touch and loves to name drop! Kind of wish I could travel back in time to the late 90s when this was recorded just to enjoy the vibes of this era from a writer's perspective.
January 21, 2022
I've read writing books by both Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg and thoroughly enjoyed this conversation between the two of them.
So many nuggets of wisdom and encouragement and it was like listening in to a meeting of the writing minds. I really appreciate their honesty and how grounded they both are even after such tremendous success. Hearing about their struggles in the past and those they still face is truly a comfort in many ways. I also like the no-nonsense advice and how their love of words and craft, and respect for each other, permeates this whole conversation.
I am always on the lookout for writing advice and especially right now as I gear up to start the 2nd draft of my book this was a great listen.
So many nuggets of wisdom and encouragement and it was like listening in to a meeting of the writing minds. I really appreciate their honesty and how grounded they both are even after such tremendous success. Hearing about their struggles in the past and those they still face is truly a comfort in many ways. I also like the no-nonsense advice and how their love of words and craft, and respect for each other, permeates this whole conversation.
I am always on the lookout for writing advice and especially right now as I gear up to start the 2nd draft of my book this was a great listen.
March 1, 2023
Disclosure: I have been a Julia Cameron Fan for decades, writing my Morning Pages every morning at dawn. Long Hand, as strongly suggested, even mandated over and over again. I am also a Writer who has reaped the benefits of Cameron's many books, articles and workshops unto today.
This recent book--an engaging six-week adventure for all Writers-- is a practical summation and encapsulation of all of Cameron's work. It includes lovely descriptions of nature as seen outside her Santa Fe windows, stories about her beloved dog Lily, encounters with friends and family. Cameron offers examples of how The Artist's Way Program has helped many Folk including herself; her gentle guidance about procrastination, beginnings, goal setting as well as how to deal with doubt, deadlines and " crazy makers" is kind, practical and encouraging. Cameron offers a friendly "try it, you might like it" approach. Throughout this book, We get a glimpse into the life of this National Treasure (deemed "The Goddess of Change" by the NYT) who practices what she preaches!
Daily Tasks remain constant: Morning Pages (hand written not typed), The Artist Date, reasonable and realistic Goal Setting. New additions include: Daily Quotas, "Setting the Bar low" and Walking For Answers to burning questions. This is a spiritual book too --about Showing up, doing the Work, Faith & Hope & Love--and about a larger Power however one wishes to define it.
Dare I confess : At times some of the writing became a bit repetitious. After many descriptions, I lost interest in the ever changing New Mexico weather, how the colorful mountain appeared and disappeared or how many times sweet Lily--in Tune with Nature and her Owner-- wanted to walk. A small price to pay for an invaluable work about the work of Writing.
I must return my copy of to the Library tomorrow. I rarely buy books these days- of -downsizing, however, I must buy my own copy of WRITE FOR LIFE and add it to my collection. It's a keeper.
This recent book--an engaging six-week adventure for all Writers-- is a practical summation and encapsulation of all of Cameron's work. It includes lovely descriptions of nature as seen outside her Santa Fe windows, stories about her beloved dog Lily, encounters with friends and family. Cameron offers examples of how The Artist's Way Program has helped many Folk including herself; her gentle guidance about procrastination, beginnings, goal setting as well as how to deal with doubt, deadlines and " crazy makers" is kind, practical and encouraging. Cameron offers a friendly "try it, you might like it" approach. Throughout this book, We get a glimpse into the life of this National Treasure (deemed "The Goddess of Change" by the NYT) who practices what she preaches!
Daily Tasks remain constant: Morning Pages (hand written not typed), The Artist Date, reasonable and realistic Goal Setting. New additions include: Daily Quotas, "Setting the Bar low" and Walking For Answers to burning questions. This is a spiritual book too --about Showing up, doing the Work, Faith & Hope & Love--and about a larger Power however one wishes to define it.
Dare I confess : At times some of the writing became a bit repetitious. After many descriptions, I lost interest in the ever changing New Mexico weather, how the colorful mountain appeared and disappeared or how many times sweet Lily--in Tune with Nature and her Owner-- wanted to walk. A small price to pay for an invaluable work about the work of Writing.
I must return my copy of to the Library tomorrow. I rarely buy books these days- of -downsizing, however, I must buy my own copy of WRITE FOR LIFE and add it to my collection. It's a keeper.
August 13, 2020
I adored this book. The pace is great for the incredible amounts of wisdom contained here. The only thing I would've done differently is that many times each of them answered something to a question and they didn't relate to the other's answer, so it didn't exactly feel like they were having a conversation, it many times felt like they were just giving their own opinion, so I would've liked it if they had commented more on the other's views. But other than that, this is pure perfection, super calming and inspiring. Their voices are amazing, and I can't wait to read more by both Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron!
November 1, 2018
Listened to the audio book as I have concussion. Enjoyed it immensely. Their spirituality (Zen) and an unspecified faith, are different to my Christian faith - so it was really interesting to see our different world views and how that informs our writing practice. A common thread - write with joy (of existence or as a form of worship). As I listened, I saw a dandelion floating upwards, caught in an updraft, like an upturned umbrella. Thank you Julia and Natalie for helping me to see the details!
October 19, 2022
This was an interesting conversation between two creatives. A lot of it was too woo-woo for me. I've been doing the morning pages for about 6 months now (that Julia Cameron talks about in this interview) and have found it helpful. There were a few very useful pieces of advice scattered in the talking points. My favorite take away was on being specific - oak not tree, starling not bird, lemonade not drink... being detailed with power words that are specific because we are the readers eyes and we make their experience authentic.
September 19, 2022
Ideas and inspiration for anyone who wants to write, this si exactly what the audiobook is about. Two amazing women writers sharing similar, and other times, different perspectives about writing. This is an audiobook that I easily re-listen and re-listen because there's so much wisdom in the conversation.
February 11, 2019
The conversation was visiting with two old friends. Both women planned a significant part in my development as a writer. Their conversation helped me to remember my roots as a writer. The only down side is that Julia Cameron got to be a little too ethereal at times.
November 23, 2021
Two giants in the field of writing come together for a conversation on just that. I have read a lot of Goldberg and a little of Cameron, but both have helped form my beliefs on writing and its importance.
February 17, 2022
Have gone to these two over the years for inspiration and tools to use in my writing. I'm listening and suddenly I'm nostalgic for the mid west, because of Julia Cameron's vowel prounouncement. LOL Great interview!
June 8, 2025
The first hour of this conversation between these two amazing women is simple perfection. I loved listening to them disagree with each other and both perspectives were filled with such "truths" about writing.
April 28, 2020
A great interview that gets behind the scenes of both of their writing lives. The last part has a lecture series.
July 23, 2020
I'm definitely too young to find this conversation especially relatable
September 11, 2020
wonderful conversation between two of my favourite creativity and writing teachers.
June 28, 2021
Short yet POWERFUL! Wish I'd read this years ago.
August 6, 2021
My two favorite writing mentors in conversation, probably meeting for the first time, though both lived their whole lives in the same town. Its so warm and deep.
October 11, 2021
Great listen on writing and how we can be so hard on ourselves. Just write
December 14, 2021
Two of my favorite people
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December 26, 2021Enjoyable commentary. I loved Julia's advice on daily writing.
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September 25, 2023Before MFAs, there were Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron. I’m glad they are there!
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February 6, 2025Excellent writing advice from two great authors! Highly recommend!
March 7, 2025
Oh, these magical, brilliant, embodied women. This was special.
November 15, 2014
Writing is a form of listening and connecting. It’s making conscious contact (state of receptivity, using all forms of intelligence) like Ezra Pound said, Artists are the antennas of their race.
Criticism: “If you focus on the writer’s strengths, a lot of times their weaknesses will fall away. If you focus on a writer’s weaknesses, a lot of times the weaknesses will get bigger and their strengths will start to wobble because they don’t even know that they’re there.”
3 drafts:
1. First draft: just write
2. Second draft: outline, map things out (who and what on the page)
3. Third draft: rewrite and polish
Be specific! “Sycamore” instead of “tree,” not “car” but “Cadillac” – when you accumulate detail, your reader trusts you because you’re your reader’s eyes. The world is already specific. Include tastes, feelings, sounds, weather.
Don’t write for the common reader, cause you’ll never meet him. Write for your ideal reader, who will understand exactly what you’re talking about and get all your jokes, and understand all your details.
One of the things we need to watch out for is which friends make you boring, and which friends make you alive. There are some people that I can go to lunch with and by the end of lunch I’m so sick of myself and I don’t even have to be the one that’s talking. And then there are other people who I go to lunch with and again I don’t need to be the one that’s talking but I come away feeling interesting and vital.
Criticism: “If you focus on the writer’s strengths, a lot of times their weaknesses will fall away. If you focus on a writer’s weaknesses, a lot of times the weaknesses will get bigger and their strengths will start to wobble because they don’t even know that they’re there.”
3 drafts:
1. First draft: just write
2. Second draft: outline, map things out (who and what on the page)
3. Third draft: rewrite and polish
Be specific! “Sycamore” instead of “tree,” not “car” but “Cadillac” – when you accumulate detail, your reader trusts you because you’re your reader’s eyes. The world is already specific. Include tastes, feelings, sounds, weather.
Don’t write for the common reader, cause you’ll never meet him. Write for your ideal reader, who will understand exactly what you’re talking about and get all your jokes, and understand all your details.
One of the things we need to watch out for is which friends make you boring, and which friends make you alive. There are some people that I can go to lunch with and by the end of lunch I’m so sick of myself and I don’t even have to be the one that’s talking. And then there are other people who I go to lunch with and again I don’t need to be the one that’s talking but I come away feeling interesting and vital.
July 9, 2011
This is the best instruction on writing that I have found. Been through it four times and working closer with each step. Plan on sharing with my son who is now ready to start writing his story. Your life matters. You are important. What you have experienced in life needs to be shared with the world so that they can learn also. Beautiful. Priceless. Inspirational.
December 18, 2013
A great look into the methods and thoughts on writing from these two great writers; Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg.
Listening to them speak about their craft inspired and motivated me to really get down to writing.
Listening to them speak about their craft inspired and motivated me to really get down to writing.
August 12, 2016
Listening to this audio book, I got really tired of hearing Julia Cameron's mantra about doing "morning pages". Natalie Goldberg's voice brought me back to the Antioch Writers Workshop where I heard her speak years ago.
February 25, 2008
This is a great opportunity to hear two great writing teachers share their ideas about their practice of their craft.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews