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Summary: With this book, you'll have your mentor
Review: A classic among books on the art and craft of writing. It's difficult to believe it was written in 1938, because it is as pertinent now as it ever was. Even Carl Sandburg called it "The best book ever written about how to write.'
Brenda Ueland says, '...we must...find our True Conscience...the very Center, for (there lie) all originality, talent, honor, truthfulness, and courage.'
If you want to write, read If You Want to Write.
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Summary: The importance of realizing the Emperor has no clothes....
Review: A dear friend gave me this book (scribbling her own words of encouragement on the first page) and it became one of the best gifts I have ever received. I had taken some writing courses that had left me completely disenchanted with the writing process. One teacher's "esteemed" writing bored me (he could actually claim one published novel) and I wondered why the most pretentious writers in our class received the most praise. It was a case of "the Emperor's clothes". I wondered why it was that MY favorite writers in the class were considered lousy students - far from being technically perfect, these lively people wrote the way they spoke. Reading Brenda Ueland's book was a revelation. At last, somebody honest! Somebody who finally said that EVERYONE has something interesting to say. I only wish I had been one of Brenda Ueland's students - impossible, since this book was written in 1938! This book should be required reading in every high school. One need never worry that someone else is a better writer - the point this book makes is: because no two people are the same, everyone's experiences are unique and everyone's writing has worth. So I'll never be a Hemingway or a Fitzgerald, but at least the letters I write to my friends have become more colorful. Thanks to Brenda I am now writing for my true authentic self (instead of trying to please those stuffed shirts who've been policing my words since grade school). If you haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for? Everyone should be encouraged to write.
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Summary: Best Writing Book of the Century
Review: A friend gave me this book for Christmas because he knew I liked to write and told me it was the best book for writing. I was skeptical, but started the book anyhow so I could at least tell him I looked at it. I found it immediately engaging and savored every page, limiting myself to a few pages a night so I wouldn't finish it quickly. The best part is that it is an "idea" writing book rather than an exercise book. There is no stopping to jot down notes or pages with writing exercises. Ueland gets into ideas and the psychology of why we do and don't write certain things. It got my brain churning, and I found myself become less inhibited with a project I was trying to get to the next level on. Excellent book for the experience writer who is feeling a need to break through to some fresh material. Ueland is amazingly insightful and even though it is written in 1938, it does not feel dated.
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Summary: Practical Inspiration
Review: A timeless collection of inspirational essays filled with down to earth advice on creativity, art, writing, and life from a noble soul. I've read and re-read this book many times since it was first given to me many years ago by a special friend and it's always rekindled my artistic fires when I was in deepest need of them. Brenda Ueland uses Vincent Van Gogh, William Blake, Shakespeare, de Musset, Mozart, and other artists as examples of hard work, devotion, and passion. No matter how down and out you may be, wherever you may be in your life, "If You Want to Write" will bring you back to your higher self, reminding you that "you have talent, are original, and have something important to say." Sometimes that's all one needs to hear (or realize all over again) in order to take the next step in their lives.
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Summary: Practical Inspiration
Review: A timeless collection of inspirational essays filled with down to earth advice on creativity, art, writing, and life from a noble soul. I've read and re-read this book many times since it was first given to me many years ago by a special friend and it's always rekindled my artistic fires when I was in deepest need of them. Brenda Ueland uses Vincent Van Gogh, William Blake, Shakespeare, de Musset, Mozart, and other artists as examples of hard work, devotion, and passion. No matter how down and out you may be, wherever you may be in your life, "If You Want to Write" will bring you back to your higher self, reminding you that "you have talent, are original, and have something important to say." Sometimes that's all one needs to hear (or realize all over again) in order to take the next step in their lives.
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Summary: One of my top five
Review: After a lifetime of reading I have a short list of five books that are so important to me that I re-read them every year. This book is on that list.
Brenda Ueland's message is simple - yet proufoundly impactful. She explains that each of us, if we are willing to trust and listen to TRUE selves - not what others think or society thinks we can become great writers (or painters or musicians).
She hates critics. She beleives that we all have the capacity to create great writing.. if we'll beleive in our selves.
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Summary: This book permits and encourages one to BE!
Review: After reading it I became more interested life. My curious nature has been rekindled. I strongly recommend this book for anyone searching.
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Summary: Great movitator and coach!
Review: Brenda Ueland offers an on-going pep talk for the writer trying to find his/her place, trying to get started, or just reconsidering their craft. She is down to earth and personable as she takes you through the journey. Excellent book!!!!! Recommended for every writer, no matter your level of experience or publication.
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Summary: Great movitator and coach!
Review: Brenda Ueland offers an on-going pep talk for the writer trying to find his/her place, trying to get started, or just reconsidering their craft. She is down to earth and personable as she takes you through the journey. Excellent book!!!!! Recommended for every writer, no matter your level of experience or publication.
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Summary: Avanti!
Review: Brenda Ueland was one of my dearest friends. Her wisdom and gentle humor has sustained me through many years. If You Want to Write is an outstanding book on not only how to write but how to live fully -- with grace, joy, humor and compassion. It is "first-rate," as Brenda would say. Once you have found this book, don't let it get away from you. Keep copies handy. One year, I gave copies of the book to my family and friends for Christmas. They all loved it. It soon became one of those books that everyone must read -- for reading this book seemed to make everyone a better person. How is that? Maybe one of the reasons is because it "takes the pressure off" to be a "good writer" or a "good person." Just be who you are in an authentic and joyful way -- and you can't help but be "good." Open the book to any page, and you will find her words funny, creative, loving and truthful --thumbing her nose at all the pessimists in the world. Brenda had a delightful sense of humor. She jokingly insisted on renaming me "Countess Francesca" because, "Names are very important, and Deborah is just too stern and biblical." This was just her way with everyone -- funny, uplifting and endearing. And her book, If You Want to Write, will make you feel just as special, as if she is sitting right there with you, laughing with you and helping you every step of the way. Enjoy this women's words -- hold them in your heart. Brenda is a rare spirit. Avanti!
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