Page After Page [Paperback]

Heather Sellers' "Page after Page: Discover the confidence & passion you need to start writing & keep writing (no matter what!)" is a beautiful book. The language has a sort of poetic feel to it, and is extremely honest and open--both about writing in general and about Ms. Sellers' own life and experiences, when she needs to use them to illustrate a point. She isn't afraid to make some straightforward and, most likely, unpopular points that probably need to be made.

Ms. Sellers is a teacher, and she has had many years of teaching others--and herself--how to develop a writing life. She believes that one should approach writing as though it were a lover. If you fall in love with writing, time slows down. If you fall in love with writing, you make the time for it. If you fall in love with writing, it's easier to sit and pay attention to it. If you don't love your writing, then why should you expect it to treat you well?

You'll find plenty of exercises in here, though they may not be what you're used to expecting from a writing book. One of my favorites involves drawing up a rigid schedule for your writing the way so many other books tell you to, then drawing up a ten-year plan that progresses along the lines of, "year one: get feet wet."

Not everyone will be able to appreciate what this book has to offer. Some people really do just want to approach their writing as a regimented thing, and they'll scoff at Ms. Sellers' romantic (though surprisingly practical, really) viewpoint. Not everyone who doesn't actually want to write wants to hear that they really don't want to write, and they probably wouldn't like it. People who are bound and determined to believe that they're undiscovered geniuses whose work can't be improved upon, and that the people who offer them suggestions for improvement or reject their work are idiots, might not like hearing that a different attitude could benefit them.

But for everyone who truly wants to get somewhere with their writing, who wants to enjoy the process, who wants to feel that passion as they sit down to work on their latest project, this is a gorgeous book. So if you are in any way less than perfectly satisfied with your writing life, give this a read. It probably has something of value to offer you. And even if you are perfectly happy with your writing, you might read it anyway. It's a beautifully-written book that's a joy to read.

Heather Sellers presents some unique thoughts about the writing life. She compares writing to a lover, the material you write from as compost, and puts a spin on rejections that makes you positiviely giddy to receive them. Along the way she offers some great advice for writers including reading as much as you can; attending book readings, lectures, and workshops; and my favorite--NAPPING! What's not to love about a book that encourages napping? At the end of each chapter are one or more exercises that stretch not only your writing, but your writing life. If you are a writer in need of a friendly cheerleader, this book is for you.

I think I'm in love with the good doctor. Here's a lady who loves reading more than eating, and thinks making beds is a waste of valuable writing time. I could live with a person of these values.

What a great writer, and some great ideas. In this book Dr. Sellers takes a no-nonsense approach to excuses for not writing and encourages aspiring writers to use the same 24 hours granted to all mortals to write for 10 or 20 minutes per day. She teaches you how to focus on your writing, finding quiet time, and accepting the solitude so important to writing. Also, I love her love of reading. Throughout the book she uses the metaphor of reading and writing as lovers. According to Sellers, writers read, and in fact often sleep with their books. I warmed to her imagery here, as I often bang an elbow or my back on a hardbound book left in my bed. My personal favorite bedtime book is an old one, Jean Christophe, by Romain Rolland. This book was written around 1910 and is over 800 pages. There is something about Rolland's writing that sets my imagination drifting into unexpected places. Sellers legitimizes this compulsion of mine, and advises the writer to let your writing flow with your imagination. Sellers also uses some yoga analogies in this book, but the book is not about yoga. I know nothing about yoga, except what I may have learned from David Carradine in the 70s TV series, Kung Fu. It is not a distraction, and illustrates her points well.

Sellers does not present actual writing instruction in this book, that is not her purpose here. She is highly readable and offers a ton of ideas for inspiring people to drop the excuses and start writing.