Wild Mind writing is a technique presented by Natalie Goldberg in her book “Writing Down the Bones.” It is a method of free writing or stream-of-consciousness writing that encourages people to tap into their inner thoughts and emotions without self-censorship or judgment. The goal of Wild Mind writing is to unlock creativity, bypass the inner critic, and access the raw, authentic voice within.

Here’s how the technique of Wild Mind writing, as presented by Natalie Goldberg, typically works:

Set a Timer: Choose a specific amount of time for your writing session, such as 10, 15, or 20 minutes. Setting a timer helps you commit to the practice without distraction.

Choose a Prompt (Optional): You can start with a specific prompt or topic if you like, but it’s not necessary. The idea is to let your mind flow freely, so prompts are often used as a starting point but can be abandoned as your writing progresses.

Write Continuously: Once you begin writing, keep your pen moving or your fingers typing without pause. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, spelling, or even making complete sentences.

The focus is on the flow of thoughts and ideas.

Embrace uncertainty and the unknown: Let your thoughts wander and explore different avenues. If you don’t know what to write next, simply write, “I don’t know what to write,” until another thought emerges.

Avoid Editing: Do not stop to edit or revise during the writing session. Goldberg emphasizes the importance of silencing your inner critic during this process. Editing can come later, but for now, let your writing be messy and unfiltered.

Be Honest and Vulnerable: Wild Mind writing is a space to be honest and vulnerable with yourself. Explore your deepest thoughts, fears, desires, and emotions. This raw authenticity can lead to powerful writing.

Keep Going: If you get stuck or run out of ideas, write about being stuck or not knowing what to write. Often, this act of acknowledging your resistance can help you break through it.

Trust the Process: Trust that this process will lead you to unexpected insights, creative breakthroughs, and a deeper understanding of yourself as a writer.

Reflect Afterwards: After your Wild Mind writing session, take some time to read what you’ve written. You may be surprised by what emerged and find nuggets of brilliance within your unfiltered words.

Natalie Goldberg’s Wild Mind writing technique is designed to encourage people to let go of inhibitions, silence self-doubt, and access their innermost thoughts and creativity. It’s a valuable tool for overcoming writer’s block, generating ideas, deepening study and developing a more authentic and unfiltered voice.

Wild Mind Writing Instructions:
The Essential Elements
A timer…

The most basic and crucial element of Wild Mind Writing is the “Timed Writing Exercise.” It is simple but specific. It literally means to write for a specified time with a timer. Many people think that they don’t need to time themselves because they will just “write for a long time.” This is missing the point of how the exercise works. The timed writing exercise channels forces in a certain way. It is the foundation of the whole process.


Here’s what else you need…

Any bound notebook you can come across quickly such as a composition notebook with good, smooth-surface paper.
By inexpensive, I mean dirt-cheap. This notebook should be the opposite of beautiful or precious. It is meant to be paper that you can use up in “wild writing practice.” However, it is important that the paper has a smooth writing surface. The surface makes a tremendous difference. It should not be physical work to glide through the pages. The slightest drag on a rough writing surface creates a lot of work and will slow your writing.

A quick-acting, smooth-writing pen that glides over the paper with minimum resistance. The faster the pen, the better, yet it should also give some feeling of control and a sensitivity to the surface of the paper. There should be virtually no resistance to the movement of your hand. Please make an effort to get a modern super-fast ballpoint, gel pen, or cartridge fountain pen. Not all pens are equal, to say the least, but there are many inexpensive very good pens available.
There are some pens that “get you to write.” I don’t know any explanation of this, and it is different for different people. Just keep trying them out until you find the one that feels right for you. When you do, get more than one. 

Expensive pens, as well as expensive notebooks, tend to inhibit writing practice by seeming “significant.” Your writing will be significant when it comes from beyond the mind. This happens with lots of permission and creative freedom.

Note: Some people want to do this kind of writing on a keyboard—whatever floats your boat. There is something alive about handwriting that engages the whole body and the psyche in movement. It is alive, but then again the whole point is: “what works for you.” Please give yourself permission to find out. It’s an experiment all the way from the beginning.


What is really creative and comes alive for you? I suggest that you don’t limit the process and try everything. Some kinds of writing and different phases of self-expression work for their own reasons. We don’t need to figure it out. The whole point is to get “the creative” to do its work. Do what you feel is best for your creative process.