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.

Full review at ErrantDreams ( )

http://perchancetobe.blogspot.com/2005/04/inspiration_27.html ( )