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Chapter After Chapter: Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams
Writing a book requires a focus, a sense of knowing and trusting in yourself and your work. And it requires an unflinching commitment to staying the course. Chapter After Chapter shows you how to build on your good writing habits, accrue and recognize tiny successes, and turn your dedication to the craft into the book you always knew you could write if you could just stay with it. Heather Sellers , author of Page After Page , draws on her first-hand experience as a novelist, poet, memoirist, and children's book author to help you prepare for whatever roadblocks you might encounter while writing the book of your dreams. You'll discover how to celebrate the momentum of slow and steady, stay in love with your book project through soggy middles and long revisions, and embrace the nakedness that is creative expression. And you'll realize you've got exactly what it takes write your book!
300 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2006
22 people are currently reading
1291 people want to read
About the author
Heather Sellers
34 books87 followersHeather Sellers has a PhD in English/Creative Writing from Florida State University. She’s a professor of English at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she teaches poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing courses. She won an NEA grant for fiction and her first book of fiction, Georgia Under Water, was part of the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 20, 2009
This is a real gem of a book!
Sellers look at a writer's life in this book, not at the craft of writing or the technical side of writing. The chapters include the following bits of wisdom:
Writers are not people who have ideas for books: writer's write.
Writers do not have hectic social lives, flitting from one engagement to another: they can manage about one extracurricular activity and the rest of their time belongs to their writing.
Writers do not write "one book": they will write many, many books, and a lot of them will be hidden under the bed because they're not good enough for publishing. Yet these unpublished works are just as important, because they have taught the writer something about the craft.
Reading this book is like being able to fill my lungs with oxygen and relax the tension in my shoulders. As she says in the introduction, writing a book is like plunging off the high dive, and "I'd like to give you the gentlest push. I'd like to nudge you towards the deep end. I'd like to hold your hand on the way down, and grin at you underwater, and make sure you are pointed to the swim ladder, and laugh with you when you come up for air, and say in unison with you, 'Let's do it again!'"
This is a book I will read right through and dip into whenever I need to remember what being a writer is all about.
Sellers look at a writer's life in this book, not at the craft of writing or the technical side of writing. The chapters include the following bits of wisdom:
Writers are not people who have ideas for books: writer's write.
Writers do not have hectic social lives, flitting from one engagement to another: they can manage about one extracurricular activity and the rest of their time belongs to their writing.
Writers do not write "one book": they will write many, many books, and a lot of them will be hidden under the bed because they're not good enough for publishing. Yet these unpublished works are just as important, because they have taught the writer something about the craft.
Reading this book is like being able to fill my lungs with oxygen and relax the tension in my shoulders. As she says in the introduction, writing a book is like plunging off the high dive, and "I'd like to give you the gentlest push. I'd like to nudge you towards the deep end. I'd like to hold your hand on the way down, and grin at you underwater, and make sure you are pointed to the swim ladder, and laugh with you when you come up for air, and say in unison with you, 'Let's do it again!'"
This is a book I will read right through and dip into whenever I need to remember what being a writer is all about.
June 23, 2014
This book was a huge help to me. It helped me train myself to write daily and to stick to one project. So important!
March 22, 2017
Not my all time favorite book on writing but has some good suggestions on staying the course to finish your book.
June 5, 2017
This book was semi-inspirational in a cheerleader's rah-rah you-can-do-it sort of way, and it contained some interesting tips and exercises, as well. Still, it wasn't my favorite book on the craft of writing, and I disagree with a number of the author's basic premises.
I believe writing is a personal endeavor, and while her approach has been a successful one for her, I don't think that makes it the best approach for every writer. Certainly not for me. Writing isn't the end-all, be-all of my existence. It's something I do, but it doesn't define who I am, so while I may be determined to finish my writing projects, I refuse to do so at the expense of my family and friends. I don't consider lying to others to create more opportunities to write as dedication; I think of it as self-indulgence.
That being said, for anyone who needs some incentive to stop making excuses and to start writing that book they always wanted to write, this book could be very helpful. Rah-rah. Just do it!
I believe writing is a personal endeavor, and while her approach has been a successful one for her, I don't think that makes it the best approach for every writer. Certainly not for me. Writing isn't the end-all, be-all of my existence. It's something I do, but it doesn't define who I am, so while I may be determined to finish my writing projects, I refuse to do so at the expense of my family and friends. I don't consider lying to others to create more opportunities to write as dedication; I think of it as self-indulgence.
That being said, for anyone who needs some incentive to stop making excuses and to start writing that book they always wanted to write, this book could be very helpful. Rah-rah. Just do it!
April 14, 2020
This book didn't work for me. I think that for the people who it does work for, it will be a great resource. However, something about the writing style rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn't take the advice seriously. It has a good message at its heart, I think, but too often it was obscured by things that got in the way of the message.
May 11, 2018
It had a couple useful tips, but honestly, it wasn't for me. I almost DNF'd, but stuck through for any useful advice. It does have a lot of good information at the back about publishing that was helpful, but overall I did not like the author's style and did not find it that helpful.
June 29, 2016
"Books On Writing" is one of my favorite genres: YES, I know I should be working on my own book, but it's so much more fun to read about how others write theirs! I gravitate toward those that feature practical craft advice over woo-woo hand-holding: more SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack Bickham, less WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg. Top picks? THE FIRE IN FICTION by Donald Maas; ON WRITING by Stephen King; THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julia Cameron; WRITING WITH QUIET HANDS by Paula Munier.
CHAPTER AFTER CHAPTER doesn't shrink from a graphic description of the seriously hard (and seriously real) work involved in writing (if you teared up a bit at the part in ON WRITING where King bluntly states "if you don't want to work your ass off, you have no business trying to write well--settle back into competency and be grateful you have even that much to fall back on," then you will require weeks of therapy after reading this book), but this very same honesty about (one author's) writing process results in a detailed blueprint of an often joyless trudge through endless rewrites that makes one wonder if Sellers should perhaps consider another line of work. At the same time, there is a great deal of humor and wisdom to be found in this quirky, contradictory, but ultimately enjoyable book. Recommended with a teaspoon of sugar (or two fingers of tequila).
CHAPTER AFTER CHAPTER doesn't shrink from a graphic description of the seriously hard (and seriously real) work involved in writing (if you teared up a bit at the part in ON WRITING where King bluntly states "if you don't want to work your ass off, you have no business trying to write well--settle back into competency and be grateful you have even that much to fall back on," then you will require weeks of therapy after reading this book), but this very same honesty about (one author's) writing process results in a detailed blueprint of an often joyless trudge through endless rewrites that makes one wonder if Sellers should perhaps consider another line of work. At the same time, there is a great deal of humor and wisdom to be found in this quirky, contradictory, but ultimately enjoyable book. Recommended with a teaspoon of sugar (or two fingers of tequila).
October 19, 2012
Heather Sellers is like that friend who tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, but in the friendliest, gentlest way possible. Writing a book is hard and not something likely to fit around the edges of your life. You'll need to sacrifice a bit and make some decisions about how you spend your time and energy.
She also likens writing a book to having a relationship. If you neglect it, it will suffer. You need to pay attention to your book, even if just a little bit, every single day. The connection, once lost, can take a long time to rebuild. Taking time away (to game, watch tv, whatever) can do more damage than good, though I may convince myself I need a break to recharge. Adhering to a strict writing schedule is not just about discipline, it's about maintaining that relationship.
I'm still working through the exercises and they are mostly helpful and inspiring. There are a few things she suggests that I won't do (stop reading new things and only limit myself to six Wise Guide books I may reread during my novel? Nooo...) but there is a lot here to like. This was loaned to me by my local author friend who could see how I've been spinning my wheels on my manuscript in recent months. She gave it to me at just the right time.
She also likens writing a book to having a relationship. If you neglect it, it will suffer. You need to pay attention to your book, even if just a little bit, every single day. The connection, once lost, can take a long time to rebuild. Taking time away (to game, watch tv, whatever) can do more damage than good, though I may convince myself I need a break to recharge. Adhering to a strict writing schedule is not just about discipline, it's about maintaining that relationship.
I'm still working through the exercises and they are mostly helpful and inspiring. There are a few things she suggests that I won't do (stop reading new things and only limit myself to six Wise Guide books I may reread during my novel? Nooo...) but there is a lot here to like. This was loaned to me by my local author friend who could see how I've been spinning my wheels on my manuscript in recent months. She gave it to me at just the right time.
February 29, 2016
This is probably closer to 4 and 1/2. Tomorrow, Feb. 29, I am doing a writing workshop at the South Euclid Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. My topic is "Jumpstart Your Writing." I did the same workshop last year, and it was one of the most popular ones, so I was asked to reprise it. I love doing workshops, so of course I agreed. Whenever I do a workshop like this, I look for writing books I haven't read previously to see if there are new tricks I could add to replace less interesting ones I've suggested in the past. This book is chock full of new and interesting ideas.
One night, when I didn't feel like doing my 26 minutes, this book encouraged me to write by one of the exercises. That alone would make me declare this book a success.
I love the author's voice, and I love the way the book is divided: There are three sections. Part 1: Your Writing Wings: Surveying the Book-Writing Terrain; Part 2: The Long Haul: Strength-Building for Book Writers; and Part 3: Your Writing Words Take Shape: Declaring Your Book Finished. This is on my list of books to buy when I finally someday again have money. I highly recommend it.
One night, when I didn't feel like doing my 26 minutes, this book encouraged me to write by one of the exercises. That alone would make me declare this book a success.
I love the author's voice, and I love the way the book is divided: There are three sections. Part 1: Your Writing Wings: Surveying the Book-Writing Terrain; Part 2: The Long Haul: Strength-Building for Book Writers; and Part 3: Your Writing Words Take Shape: Declaring Your Book Finished. This is on my list of books to buy when I finally someday again have money. I highly recommend it.
January 15, 2016
This book seems like a very helpful guide to writing. It discusses some of the pitfalls and how to overcome them. At the end of each chapters (33 short chps), there are exercises to try out. I say 'seems helpful' because I have not tried out the exercises yet. I have printed and saved them for later.
Some key messages that triumphed over my short term memory:
-Read a 100 books on the topic of interest before starting to write a book.
-Choose six books and make them your writing companions - annoy the hell out of them with your consultation.
-Whatever time you think you have set to complete your book, add another few years - we tend to overestimate our productivity.
-You are never too young or old to write as long as you are willing to strip naked and have the right reasons.
-Remove all the 'should's' - my favourite point.
-Feel and write, not think
Heather makes writing sound so easy yet nerve wrecking. Her words are like dagger - to the point.
Some key messages that triumphed over my short term memory:
-Read a 100 books on the topic of interest before starting to write a book.
-Choose six books and make them your writing companions - annoy the hell out of them with your consultation.
-Whatever time you think you have set to complete your book, add another few years - we tend to overestimate our productivity.
-You are never too young or old to write as long as you are willing to strip naked and have the right reasons.
-Remove all the 'should's' - my favourite point.
-Feel and write, not think
Heather makes writing sound so easy yet nerve wrecking. Her words are like dagger - to the point.
October 18, 2013
This book is great for those who need encouragement to finish a book they start. I love all of Heather's inside take on the process and her no-nonsense approach to getting 'er done! I appreciate her sense of humor and her tenacity weaved in with her advice and point of view on the subject. I would recommend this to those who have a hard time finishing what they start!
April 6, 2010
This is in my top five of all-time favorite books on the writing craft. I've used many of her tips, and I've got a dozen or so Post-It notes marking the pages of this book to prove it. I hope she's working on another. Very inspiring.
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January 27, 2018
A writing book about motivation for the long haul, rather than craft, editing, or publishing. Each chapter meditates on something different, so some resonate while others fall flat, but there are strategies enough for most aspiring writers to find value.
September 20, 2019
Loved the Six Wise Guides advice, as well as the chapter on braiding. Any book that offers you at least one takeaway that you can immediately put into practice is a good book. Two are a bonus. The Six Wise Guides advises that when writing your own book, have six books to use as a guide--no more, no less. Three of the six should be books on writing. The other three should be books that you are modeling your work after. The chapter on braiding was about having 3 story lines interwoven throughout your book because it is more effective at holding the interest of the reader while also continuing to help you push the plot along.
Solid book with 33 chapters / different pieces of advice on writing. Good stuff at the end, too, with the descriptions of other recommended books on writing.
Solid book with 33 chapters / different pieces of advice on writing. Good stuff at the end, too, with the descriptions of other recommended books on writing.
January 2, 2020
Almost every time I read a really good book about the process of writing I fall in love all over again. This book is one to fall in love with and maybe stay in love forever. Not only does Sellers offer a lot of sound advice for the book writer, she answers a lot of questions have niggled this writer but that, it seems to me, most writers don't often consciously put into words. Such as, how much of my work-in-progress should I be sharing with curious friends and co-workers? I always felt weird about sharing, didn't really want to share, but felt if I was going to assure them that I was actually working on a book. I should share. No, she says. Tell them you have a book project in the works, then move on. Writing is a private matter between you and the book. They needn't get involved until its finished. And when will it be finished, by the way? I've often wondered. Probably not a soon as you hope and you don't want to birth a preemie. Those don't usually survive and thrive. She says that she has taken at least one book through 14 revisions (not edits, revisions). Ah, that's reassuring. I thought spending years revising one book was abnormal, something wrong with me. No. I'm more normal than not.
Besides that, Sellers is a glorious writer, a writer's writer.
Besides that, Sellers is a glorious writer, a writer's writer.
January 7, 2019
Happy to find this little book. You could say it's for serious writers only, but curious non-writers considering the profession will gain a full understanding of what to expect. Instructive, author really cracks the whip. Upfront about the challenges writers face. Especially enjoyed the chapter "No One Tells You" on what happens after you are published, and what is expected of the author. I was so clueless when it came to promotion. I now have a resource to refer to, a plan to walk me through the post-publication process. Thanks, Heather Sellers.
January 8, 2021
This book helped me to clarify my thoughts about the book I am writing. I did do most of the exercises, skipping only the massive ones (like reading 100 books or my entire manuscript). At times, the exercises might seem a bit painful but it is a necessary evil. I'm not sure whether a writer really should give up all other life while working on a book but otherwise this book has some good advice. A meta-level of writing.
December 28, 2019
I've been dipping into this book in short snatches for a long while now whenever I needed a touch of inspiration or insight, pulling quotes, completing exercises, and enjoying the process. I've finally read it completely through, but I know I'll continuing revisiting relevant chapters over and over again. Indispensable for the writer's bookshelf.
July 27, 2020
Like many writing guides, this book is a mix of techniques that will work or not work for any given writer. Take what works for you, let go of what doesn't. The useful parts of this book for me were the positioning technique and other techniques to keep the book active in your mind so you don't lose the storytelling thread.
May 1, 2019
I've read a LOT of writing process books, and quite a few motivating ones. This one is near the top of my list. VERY inspiring and useful.
May 17, 2020
Easy, digestible chapters with information other writing books don't want to tell you. It is realistic and honest without stomping on your hope. It is a good balance.
August 3, 2020
One of my favorite books on writing of all time! I highly recommend this book to writers for its combination of wit and practicality.
July 6, 2023
A phenomenal read. Very insightful and conscientious. I found it simultaneously motivating and comforting. It reassured me in my career choice path.
September 30, 2023
Wonderful / community / confidence / need
May 6, 2024
If you're looking for writing inspiration this little gem of a book is a treasure. Lovely page design and good writing advice.
May 7, 2017
The three stars does NOT indicate this book is poorly written or isn't motivational or wouldn't work for someone else. It just doesn't work for me, perhaps because I'm past the point of needing motivation to write. My needs are much more about my struggle to remain enthused as I revise and edit.
However there are a few exercises that sound like great fun which I will be playing with!
However there are a few exercises that sound like great fun which I will be playing with!
December 15, 2014
I love Sellers for her alternating nurturing and boot-camp style mentality to writing. She owns her flaws, explores her strengths and offers some fantastic techniques alongside the essay chapters in the book. Reading her first, Page after Page, though there is a lot of repeated material used here, some parts I questioned whether it was a direct pull from page after page with a few flourishes. That urked me a little, but aided as a good refresher even though I did read them back to back.
I ended up post-it noting the shit out of it though, and there are some many quotes worth printing up and hanging to my writing wall. Most of all though her message is clear: Trust in your book as a writing teacher, and work to finish it, because no one else can. I also like her advice on being your own editor and agent as much as possible, and daily working on your novel. Which I feel I am cultivating strongly now [ even though I am a daily writer]
Recommended for writers, lovers of Sellers perspective on writing and the writing life, and those looking for inspiration, raw guidance, and a little pep exercise every now and then to keep you focused and on track.
May 5, 2009
A coaching guide to take a writer through writing their book.
The author takes the writer through the psychological and technical obstacles to writing a book. Beginning with the mindset, through practical advice (such as reading 100 books), then to help breakthrough the inevitable writing blocks, till finally not giving up on the edit. Chapter by chapter, a different obstacle is examined and a solution proposed. Every chapter ends with an exercise. Most of them are not that helpful, but the ones that work are magic. One, for example, gives advice on how to write book reviews.
Although aimed primarily towards unpublished writers, the book is also a good read for more experienced writers. Sellers is a writer. She gets them. From the wild eyed anti-social introversion, to the Creep that kills off the creative buzz. Her advice on threading plots together and her admonition to limit references to the Six Wise guides is practical and very up to moment for many writers.
This will be one of my wise guides when I'm ready to tackle another novel.
The author takes the writer through the psychological and technical obstacles to writing a book. Beginning with the mindset, through practical advice (such as reading 100 books), then to help breakthrough the inevitable writing blocks, till finally not giving up on the edit. Chapter by chapter, a different obstacle is examined and a solution proposed. Every chapter ends with an exercise. Most of them are not that helpful, but the ones that work are magic. One, for example, gives advice on how to write book reviews.
Although aimed primarily towards unpublished writers, the book is also a good read for more experienced writers. Sellers is a writer. She gets them. From the wild eyed anti-social introversion, to the Creep that kills off the creative buzz. Her advice on threading plots together and her admonition to limit references to the Six Wise guides is practical and very up to moment for many writers.
This will be one of my wise guides when I'm ready to tackle another novel.
April 7, 2012
This book is quite good! I'll definitely be referring back to it during my time writing. Sellers keeps things interesting and on-topic, and not at all dry, which is a rare quality to find in writing reference books. She tells it like it is, and uses stories of her real life experiences writing, and experiences with other writers, to enhance her points and drive things home.
I should probably have read Page After Page before this book. I'm definitely giving consideration to buying that one now that I know how helpful this one is.
I didn't actually do any of the writing exercises, because I kind of loathe those, but at least I know I have a load of them on hand should I ever decide to give my muse a little shake.
I should probably have read Page After Page before this book. I'm definitely giving consideration to buying that one now that I know how helpful this one is.
I didn't actually do any of the writing exercises, because I kind of loathe those, but at least I know I have a load of them on hand should I ever decide to give my muse a little shake.
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April 19, 2009I found this book a fantastic help when I was working on the second draft of my novel-in-progress.
I was trying and failing to get up even earlier in the morning in order to have a bit more time to write when I was recommended her book. After reading the first few chapters, I found myself motivated to get up when the alarm rang because my reward was to read it, rationing just one short chapter every morning.
I have used a number of Sellars' strategies on and off, am particularly fond of the idea of creating a community of writers (in my head) by reading interviews with writers, and have been using index cards in a variety of ways since I first read her book.
I was trying and failing to get up even earlier in the morning in order to have a bit more time to write when I was recommended her book. After reading the first few chapters, I found myself motivated to get up when the alarm rang because my reward was to read it, rationing just one short chapter every morning.
I have used a number of Sellars' strategies on and off, am particularly fond of the idea of creating a community of writers (in my head) by reading interviews with writers, and have been using index cards in a variety of ways since I first read her book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews