Customer Reviews

A Writer's Paris

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...you'll love this book. I happened by this book in a bookstore and was hooked in one glance. What a sweet surprise! I own tons of books on Paris, but this one is aimed for those who want to use the world's most enchanting city as a springboard to inspired writing. I love the design, the graphics, the intimate size of the pages, the author's gentle yet enthusiastic coaching, his musings about Paris. It's pretty specific, for I'm not sure you could substitute any other place you might love as a Muse, but if you have ever been to Paris and want to add a certain "je ne sais quoi" to your writing life, you will adore this book. I'm sure it is one I'll read time and time again, and I can't wait to take it with me on my next trip to Paris! This book is magnifique!

A Writer's Paris proves inspirational, whether or not you're planning to go to Paris or if you've already visited the city where many artists go to create. Not only does Maisel describe life as a writer on a Paris sojourn, but also the activities for a writer to do for inspiration.

Substitute the places in Paris for the ones in your hometown or country you plan to visit to write. While the book has recommendations for places to stay, along with a planning checklist, information on where to go, and other resources, its content provides plenty of inspiration and ideas that work anywhere.

While the book's purpose is to encourage writers to take a Sabbatical in Paris, it also easily inspires and motivates readers to create more and writer better. Maisel happens to use Paris as the central location for the book's theme taking time-out for deep exploration for writing. Paris or no Paris -- writers can glean many things from this original book.

Topics include writing books in three weeks, taking the bad with the good, practicing the art of strolling, dealing with and appreciating the absurd, making the cafe a home, overcoming barriers, engaging your senses, and more. The writing is superb and flows lyrically with the illustrations adding the feeling of going on a journey while reading the book.

I must admit to purchasing this because Danny Gregory did some of the illustrations. That said, as I read I became intrigued with what I could learn about my own compulsion, and sometimes strong commitment, to painting. Although the star of this show seems to be Paris, the lessons about turning away from other preoccupations and just getting to it, no matter where you are, can be applied to any location. Instilling discipline in a routine, albeit one that is wrapped in time and self-permission, is a strong central message. I liked the practicality of many suggestions and the devil-may-care attitude of others.

In a rare combination of travelogue and writer's guide, Maisel speaks directly to every writer who values calm surroundings as well as a calm state of mind in order to write. Part tour guide, and part writing coach, Maisel takes the reader on the journey he promises in the subtitle.

After reading Eric's wonderful book Sleep Thinking & having my writing improve a millionfold because of it, I joined Eric's Yahoo!Group newsletter. He's talked about this book. It didn't do a "thing" for me because I really hate Paris. But his other books have helped sooo much, I keep reading his newsletter.

His latest one said:

>>When an editor buys a book from you that in her mind is in the inspirational" category, it can be decidedly hard for you to slip material into the book that is controversial and meaty.

Although A Writer's Paris is an "inspirational book," in the sense that it is meant to inspire you to go to Paris and write, I also wanted to talk about class and privilege, religious opposition to scientific thought, and other "non-inspirational" matters. I tucked in several such essays and wondered how many would make the final cut.

Some of these meaty essays made it into the book and some did not. ...

I am pleased that pieces like Privilege and the Place Vendome, Gay Mayors, and Darwin's Wife made it into the finished product.<<

To me, those "meaty essays" sound like they are talking about what Fiction is really all about.

I just wish all of them had been included.

Maybe Eric will write a "meaty essays" book someday.

I've visited Paris twice in person, and a thousand times in writing. The city itself may be one of the world's great works of art. This book is an inspiring guide to anyone who wants to write. Maisel encourages, coaxes, and reassures the reader to write their book. "Yes, you can do it, and you should." He even examines the economics of living in Paris. What I like about the book is that is encourages the reader to have a larger, more optimistic view of what is possible.

I gave a copy of the book to a writer friend who once lived in Paris. He says it is the only Paris book that he keeps on his bookshelf and re-reads.

Inspiring and encouraging. Written with humanity and compassion. If you think you have a novel within you, and the idea of going to Paris to write excites you... this book is for you.

I bought this book primarily because I had read about the small sketches that illustrated some of the pages. But when I began reading about writing in Paris I wanted to hop on the next plane. A great read about how to plan (and why plan) to fly to Paris for six months of writing. Of course, many of the chapters could be applied to any U.S. city such as writing in a public place or how to write a novel in six months. However, the quaint streets Eric describes and especially the coffee shops he goes to, makes me want to quit work and go now! Great read.
...dave

I have placed this book on my bookshelf beside John Gardner's 'On Becoming a Novelist' because it left the same timeless and true qualities on my writerly palate. However, the main difference with Eric is that he serves his truths with a dash of panache and carafe of humour as he we ride his magic carpet through the pluvial wonders of Paris - all the while nursed by his reassuring voice that any doubts we have or mistakes we make are all part of the ride.

To follow in the footsteps of Simone de Beauvoir and F. Scott Fitzgerald.... in Paris ... a how-to guide for those bent on a Gaullist literary retreat into the city that spawned many literary masterpieces. Don't forget the cigarettes, the lattes, and of course ... your French Berlitz language book.

I was foolish enough to purchase a book that, apparently, only the "girls"--mea culpa, feminists--found so enthralling. And I purchased copies for two friends whom I'd taken to Paris for their first time. (My first time was while I was on a 72-hour leave from the front, Feb. '45.) I purchased it so that these delightful ladies could relive that experience. but what did I get, a guidebook for tyros. If anyone expects to find inspiration--my friends won't--to do some writing by buying this book as a guide, caveat emptor. Flaubert, Hem, Henry Miller (omitted) must be rolling over in their graves. (NB. For the poor visioned, the type is miserable. Shame on Writers Digest Books)And I had to pay full bore--before I discovered you could get a "used' copy for 50 cents--which is all that great work is worth.