A Writer's Paris by Eric Maisel

I've had this book for a while on my writer's shelf: A Writer's Paris by Eric Maisel. He describes a writer's six-month sojourn in the City of Lights: strolling through the streets, (flânerie, in French), patronizing cafés, and drawing inspiration from famous writers that came before. Some of his advice can be taken anywhere, from a small town to a huge metropolis. Others are more flamboyant and risk-taking. Yet the sense of joie de vivre shines through the entire book.

Can you write a novel in six months? Maisel offers encouragement regarding the creative process, all in the backdrop of Paris and its various arrondissements (suburbs). The illustrations in this book are definitely breathtaking. Danny Gregory drew many of the pen and ink sketches, while Claudine Hellmuth did the collages.

The only drawback to this book is its tiny font. Those with bad eyesight (like me), might have trouble reading the typeset without a strong glasses prescription or a magnifying glass. If you can get over that, Maisel's book is a good resource, not only for the creative process, but for the Paris itself.

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2011