If You Want To Write: Book Discussion

Photo of old and used hardback books.

It’s time to talk books! Good books, bad books, red books, blue books, all types of books! Each month we’ll be featuring a new book to discuss. We’ll offer a little info on the author’s background and cover a few of its highs and lows.

For this month’s Book Talk, we’re going to discuss about one of my favorite books on writing, If You Want To Write, by Brenda Ueland.

Even though this book was first published in 1938, it’s still widely read and often quoted. You may have even noticed one of her quotes on our company page.

“Everybody is talented, original, and has something important to say.”

-Brenda Ueland

And she had cause to know, having been a successful teacher and freelance writer. Her work has been featured in both The Saturday Evening Post and Ladies Home Journal, and she spent many years teaching classes at her local YWCA to aspiring writers of all backgrounds and skill levels.

It was teaching that inspired her to write this book. She recognized the paralyzing effects that self-doubt and rejection can have on an artist, and she sought to free them from these restrictions. She uses anecdotes from her life as well as quotes and stories form famous artists such as Van Gogh and William Blake.

I’ll admit that before now, I had never actually read the book straight through. Instead, I would pick it up and flip to a random page whenever I was having a bad day. It always made me feel better to read her words because she seems to have a genuine affection for other people and the art that they create. At one point, she even says in her intro:

“I am blessed with a fascinated, inexhaustible interest in all my pupils–their thoughts, adventures, failures, rages, villainies and nobilities.”

It’s refreshing to read such a positive take on life and the creative process. Especially when you’ve been subjected to a long list of Do’s and Don’ts or step-by-step guides on how to write to get published. Instead, here are some of the major points she hits on:

  • Everyone has something worthwhile to say.
  • Everyone should strive to be authentic in their writings.
  • Artistic expression, even if it doesn’t make a profit, is essential to understanding ourselves and the world around us.
  • Inspiration comes slowly, in quiet and idle moments.
  • Don’t try so hard to be perfect. Instead, be bold and reckless.

While her work has received mostly positive reviews, this book is probably not for people who are looking for a concrete how-to guide to writing. It’s more for inspiration and motivation. So if you feel like your tank is running on empty and you’re not enjoying your work, then you might want to pick this one up and give it a go.

Have you read this book? Please tell us you thoughts, feelings, or comments!

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