Customer Reviews

Page After Page: Discover the Confidence & Passion You Need to Start Writing & Keep Writing (No Matter What)

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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.

Page after Page is the perfect book for the non-writing writer. For the person who continually dreams of writing yet never manages to get any words on a page, or who can never get past false starts. Heather Sellers has created the perfect how to write book, except this one focuses on how to create a life that contains writing as an integral part of it instead of just a dream.

This book does not cover plot, character, description or any of the other advice we seek out when trying to learn how to write, though the information given is worth its weight in gold. Sellers gives her thoughts on overcoming fear, using anxiety for creativity, aligning your life with the dream you want to achieve, as well as how to begin writing and so much more. Reading this book is like having a good conversation over coffee. Heather Sellers is funny, comforting and has filled this book with the truth behind creating a writing life.

After reading it I understand how to go about reaching my writing goals. This is definitely a book that will be a continually motivating force in living my writing life.

I wanted to love this book. Really, I did. From the beautiful cover to Heather Sellers' writing style (upbeat and fluid), I was initially drawn in, but all that changed about halfway through the book.

Sellers begins this book by saying that she wants her readers to develop "a positive, happy, easy writing life." She wants them to have fun with writing. Each chapter addresses a portion of writing or the writing life; exercises follow.

While I felt that a number of Sellers' suggestions were good (making sure that your actions support your writing goals, writing a lot, taking breaks when necessary), at the same time, I felt that her message was contradictory. In one section, she tells the aspiring writer to take naps when feeling overwelmed; in the next, she talks about the importance of writing everyday, how you can get rusty when you take breaks, how it can takes days or even weeks to get back in the flow again. On page 70, she asks the reader to consider whether or not they are willing to commit to a 2-4 hour/day writing program for a year, then says, in essence, it's okay with me if you don't want to, maybe you don't want really want to be a writer. HUHH?!

In addition, I felt that about half of her exercises were unoriginal: Making lists of writing fears, doing timed writings, keeping a journal and writing at least one sentence in it each day. Heard that all before.

That being said, Sellers, HERSELF, is original. The chapter titles and analogies throughout the book ("Chapter 15: Compost") are creative, and she does include interesting anecdotes from her own life. Her discussion about "Derek," a writer she attended grad school with, was insightful, and her stories regarding her love for books are passionate and engaging. The recommended reading list in the appendix is brief but thorough.

I wanted to love this book, but I just didn't. It was okay. I'll stick with Julia Cameron, whose message is consistent, to the point, and supportive.

The email I sent to Heather Sellers, the author says it all:

>Just wanted to tell you what a wonderful discovery your book was! How I managed to turn writing into drudgery, I don't know, but your book has brought back the original delight. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Vickie Burns-Sikora

This is a great book for a number of reasons. First, it's fun to read. Ms. Seller's writing style is enjoyable, and she has kept the chapters very manageable and compartmentalized. I can read a section, get inspired, then put it down for a day or two while I do the exercises, which are the next good thing about the book.

At the end of each chapter are exercises that are often very different from typical writing exercises. They seem a little more inspired or thoughtful. For instance, the one I really like is 10 minutes of writing, with a pencil or marker because they're slower than ball point pens, on unlined paper, on a topic using no adjectives or adverbs.

Another thing I really like about this book is that a lot of the exercises she has in there to motivate you for writing can be applied to other areas of life as well. Just substitute in your topic of choice (for me it's programming) and work the exercise to apply to that area. It really is a very good book, and well worth the purchase.

Heather Sellers presents writing as what it really is. She gives you the truths about writing. She answers questions like: what does it take to be a writer? Is writing really for you? Are you willing to write badly, and then keep going? What is a true writer's life like? In chapter 24, she dispels the theories that writing a book will instantly make you rich and famous, and gives her own personal example of some of her feelings right after her first book was published.
"But many writers nurture a dream that is false. You will get published. But it is unlikely that publication will solve any problems you have -blocks, money, habits,confidence or writing ability." And, she tells us that you should write because it's what you want to do, what you have to do. Even if you're not going to get paid for it, or famous from it.

Divided into 3 parts and 30 chapters, you can read this from beginning to end, or you can open it up anywhere and just start reading. The Table Of Contents is really nice, because, not only does it give you the title of the chapter, but it tells you what the chapter deals with. There's a wide variety of useful writing topics covered.

This is on my top five favorite books on writing. My book is bookmarked in several places and heavily underlined. The signs of a loved book. This is the perfect blend of writing advice and personal exploration as a writer.

With straight talk as though the author wrote the book just for me, I found this to be the motivation I need to get back to writing and making it a priority in my life. Not just thinking about it daily, but doing something towards my goal. The excercises are simple and fun and help get the writer writing! In an easy to read, conversational style the author makes it clear that you don't need to sit for hours everyday to be a "writer". You just need to set aside even 10-20 minutes a day and get that pen to the paper. Even reading books, lots of different types of books, can help in achieving your goal. Most of all you have to really want to do it and make it a priority in your life. To make time for it. The most valuable advice she gave was stop talking about it. Really, stop talking about it and take the time and energy you are wasting talking about it and DO something. Write!

I have two bookcases lined with books on how to write well, be more creative, use daily writing prompts, understand proper grammar, create tension-filled plot lines, develop rich characters, write meaningful nonfiction, yada-yada-yada. This is THE little inspirational how-to that EVERY aspiring author and "stuck" writer needs to keep on the nightstand, in a briefcase, on the car seat - everywhere you are! Whether you're a writer wannabe or a super star, this hardback muse is a must! www.museyourimagination.com