Review: PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers

Writing Reference

Writers Digest Books, 2009

240 pages  $12.99 

Maybe you, like me, are a writers’ book junky. I used to devour books for writers with the idea that the next masterpiece would be my turning point. And each new book did seem to add juice to my burned-out light bulb. Looking at my shelf right now, I see 27 writing books, not counting reference books like dictionaries, thesauri, and so on. And I’ve read plenty more from the library or other sources. These are my writing friends, who I can call up in the middle of the dark night of my writing soul. They urge me to keep going.

Now I read writing books mostly to stay inspired, not to have the Secret revealed. Heather Sellers is great for inspiration.

Her Page After Page is aesthetically pleasing—a 5 x 7” hardback with fun, 3D collage illustrations by Paine Proffitt. Each of Sellers’s 30 chapters is like a day in her writing workshop—a wakeup call plus writing exercises. Her goal is to “present, in practical chapters, a course of lessons that will help stuck, nervous, scared, lazy writers (is that not all of us?) break through to their best material, and welcome into their lives a writing practice that feeds rather than sucks and demands.”

The book is divided into three parts. In Part 1, “Blank Pages: Creating a New Writing Self,” Sellers asks you to rethink who you are as a writer and how you work. These are enormously freeing exercises. She stresses you will be cranky and you will resist, but these essays and exercises aim at turning your self-concept on its head and trying new things to freshen your work. One example is in Chapter 7, “Butt in Chair,” which every writer knows is the way to stick to your stuff. But Sellers’ technique of concentrated writing, like a writing meditation, is a great ritual to add to your writing life. (She and Julia Cameron converted me to writing journals in longhand—I highly recommend it.)

Part 2 covers “How to Maintain Your Commitment to Writing.” What do you do when you don’t feel like doing it? How do you get better? How do you dredge up new inspiration? How do you use your experiences—which are unique in the world—as fodder for your prose? Heather Sellers has answers.

Part 3, “New Pages: Finding Your Place in the World of Writing,” is the icing on the cake. It’s the part everyone wants to read: What do we do, how do we act, once we’ve “made it”? All fantasies aside, these chapters address some real issues, like how to build mentoring relationships, how to handle rejection (yes, even after you’ve made it), and how to celebrate your successes.

Heather Sellers acts as teacher, mentor, and tough friend—the kind who doesn’t let you get away with whining. Her style is easy to read and engage in, and the exercises she’s developed help you delve deeper and write stronger. Don’t use this book as an excuse not to write; believe me, I’ve done that. (“I am working on my writing. See? I’m reading this book.”) Instead, use it to fuel your projects and push you forward—page after page.