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Brenda Ueland Quotes

Journalist

Brenda Ueland was an American journalist and writer, born on October 24, 1891, and died on March 5, 1985. She is known for her unique writing style and profound insights into writing, particularly for her book 'How to Write'.

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All Writing Thinking People Ifs Knows Listening Creative Self Trying Children Should Want Creativity Ideas Imagination Important Art Believe Feelings Littles

Famous Brenda Ueland Quotes

“If you write, good ideas must come welling up into you so that you have something to write. If good ideas do not come at once, or for a long time, do not be troubled at all. Wait for them. Put down little ideas no matter how insignificant they are. But do not feel, any more, guilty about idleness and solitude.”

Ifs Feels Writing Littles Long Ideas Matter Waiting Solitude Long Time Guilty Good Ideas Insignificant Idleness

Author:Brenda Ueland

“These people who are always briskly doing something and as busy as waltzing mice, they have little, sharp, staccato ideas, such as: "I see where I can make an annual cut of $3.47 in my meat budget." But they have no slow, big ideas.”

People Thinking Littles I Can Ideas Bigs Cutting Busy Budgets Meat Mice Annuals Big Ideas

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“I learned...that inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness.”

Giving Littles Doe Inspiration Imagination Chance Creativity Solitude Creating Strive Intuition Prime Idleness Energetic Bolts

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“We start out in our lives as little children, full of light and the clearest vision.”

Children Littles Light Vision Our Lives

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“Now before going to a party, I just tell myself to listen with affection to anyone who talks to me... to try to know them without my mind pressing against theirs, or arguing or changing the subject. No. My attitude is: "Tell me more. This person is showing me his soul. It is a little dry and meager and full of grinding talk just now, but presently he will begin to think, not just automatically to talk. He will show his true self. Then he will be wonderfully alive."”

Source: Strength to Your Sword Arm: Selected Writings

“Inspiration comes to us slowly and quietly . prime it with a little solitude.”

Littles Inspiration Solitude Prime

Author:Brenda Ueland

About the Author

Born: October 24, 1891
Died: March 5, 1985
Known for: Journalist
Quotes: 113

Books & Sources

If You Want to WriteRelated source material

Strength to Your Sword Arm: Selected WritingsRelated source material

MeRelated source material

If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and SpiritRelated source material

Me: A MemoirRelated source material

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