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Terry, April 12, 2006 (view all comments by Terry)
Even if you've never had the slightest interest in going to Paris, if you're a writer, you should get this book. Maisel is talking to writers as a writer on several planes - yes, he's saying you can and should go spend time in Paris to write, as an act of committment to your writing. He loves the City of Light and has spent a lot of time there writing himself. But he knows not everyone can, or desires to, go to Paris (though he gives plenty of information showing that it doesn't require $millions) - he also points out that it's the "Paris attitude" - the attitude of the city itself - toward creative people and effort - that can infuse your writing and your life with new fire and spirit. So if you can't or don't care to go there, go somewhere else you've always wanted to visit - as long as you go to write, not to tourist - and live there for as long as you can.

He goes further: If you can't go anywhere, feed the writer in your soul at home: flaneur along the streets of your own town; dedicate more time to your writing - make the writing schedule you would in Paris. Open your eyes to your own, familiar, city, as you would to Paris.

Now I have always yearned to go to Paris but it always seemed like an expensive daydream beyond my reach forever. But following the internet links Maisel provides, I have learned that Paris really is affordable, if you're willing to live modestly. For example, in an apartment of maybe 215 square feet (20 m2) or smaller...it would be even cheaper if you're willing to take an apartment 4 or 5 floors up without an elevator (think of the great exercise!). Who needs a huge apartment when you're going to be out strolling around the city and writing all day most days, with the whole place as your front room, the parks as your courtyard, the bookstalls and bookstores as your library? This is a whole different way of life, of thinking about your writing, your dwelling, what you can do. It might just change your idea of what life is about.

A WRITER'S PARIS is more than anything a guidebook to possibility. Give your writer self a little vacation, a little vision: read this book.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9781582973593

Subtitle:

A Guided Journey for the Creative Soul

Author:

Gregory, Danny

Illustrator:

Gregory, Danny

Author:

Hellmuth, Claudine

Publisher:

Writer's Digest Books

Subject:

Europe - France

Subject:

Intellectual life

Subject:

Creative writing

Publication Date:

September 2005

Binding:

Paperback

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

213

Dimensions:

7.24x5.06x.70 in. .82 lbs.