"I'd love to see you describe a cement block one day...or maybe an orange."

One of my favorite creative writing teachers pulled me aside after class one afternoon to tell me that. I can't remember what particular piece of writing I was working on at the time that inspired such a comment, but it struck me then as a very odd thing to say. Was it an insult? A compliment? Was it meant to confuse me or inspire me?

What he meant, as he later explained, was that although he loved my detailed descriptions, he would love even more if I focused in on something. Even something as mundane as a block of cement. Just to see what I would do with it.

If, like me, you look for some focus occasionally, then Room to Write is a wonderful tool.

I'm addicted to books about writing. I have a bookshelf full of books with advice on writing, books that talk about poetry, horror, short stories, novels, freelancing, grammar, writing for children, and a myriad of other subjects. There are books that seek to teach, and books that seek to inspire. You name it; I have it.

So, it was no surprise that I gravitated immediately to Bonnie Goldberg's Room to Write when it found its way onto the shelves of the Barnes & Noble superstore where I was employed at the time. Compact enough to tuck into a small tote bag, even the size and shape of it called to me.

You see, Room to Write is different from other writing books that I have. Most books on writing concentrate on showing you how to improve your writing (or grammar, or presentation), showing you how to open up your doors of creativity, showing you how to market your writing, or just plain inspiring you. Room to Write doesn't bother too much with any of those things.

Instead, Room to Write is stuffed from page 1 to page 201 with writing exercises. Each page is a different exercise, and the exercises are pleasantly varied. From your hopes and fears to what you remember (or don't remember), from food to death, Room to Write invites you to focus in on a particular thought. To jump off from a particular thought, and to write.

Sometimes the exercise is as simple as starting with a word. The exercise on Page 130 asks you to begin with the word "teeth" and to just start writing. Let your pen -- or your word processor -- take you where it will.

The exercises are creative and, more importantly, fun. There's often a lot left up to interpretation. You can take the exercise literally or metaphorically. Write fiction or non-fiction. The point is, you must write, and you must focus.

What I particularly liked about Room to Write is that, unlike most books on writing, you don't have to work in order. You can, if you like. Nobody's telling you not to, but the point is that if you wake up and feel like opening up to a random page, that's just as acceptable. Artists are notorious nonconformists, so this is a definite plus, in my book.

Along with each exercise, Goldberg includes a brief blurb about the particular exercise, and a wonderful quote. As a connoisseur of fine quotes, I enjoyed the accompanying quotes immensely.

Bonnie Goldberg has hit on a wonderful idea with Room to Write. The idea is that the writer has the talent, the skill, and the desire. Room to Write simply pushes the writer in the right direction. For any writer who's experiencing a dry spell, this is all they really could hope for.

This is a wonderful book for beginning and experienced writers, and would make a wonderful gift.

After all, there is always Room to Write and you're invited.