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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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Famous Brenda Ueland Quotes

“The true self is always in motion like music, a river of life, changing, moving, failing, suffering, learning, shining.”

Self Moving Suffering Failing Rivers Shining Life Changing True Self

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“I hate orthodox criticism. I don't mean great criticism, like that of Matthew Arnold and others, but the usual small niggling, fussy-mussy criticism, which thinks it can improve people by telling them where they are wrong, and results only in putting them in straitjackets of hesitancy and self-consciousness, and weazening all vision and bravery.”

People Thinking Mean Self Hate Results Consciousness Vision Criticism I Hate Bravery Orthodox Usual Self Consciousness Matthew Fussy

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“So remember these two things: you are talented and you are original. Be sure of that. I say this because self-trust is one of the very most important things in writing.”

Writing Two Important Self Remember Originals Important Things Two Things Self Trust

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“You must become aware of the richness in you and come to believe in it and know it is there, so that you can write opulently and with self-trust. If you once become aware of it and have faith in it, you will be all right.”

Ifs Knows Writing Believe Self Have Faith Richness Self Trust

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“Self-trust is so important. When you launch on a story, make your neck loose, feel free, good-natured. And be lazy. Feel that you are going to throw it away. Try writing utterly unplanned stories and see what comes out.”

Feels Writing Trying Important Self Stories Necks Lazy Self Trust

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“The writer has a feeling and utters it from his true self. The reader reads it and is immediately infected and has exactly the same feeling. This is the whole secret of enchantment and fascination.”

Self Whole Feelings Secret Reader True Self Fascination Enchantment

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“Everybody is original, if he tells the truth, if he speaks from himself. But it must be from his *true* self and not from the self he thinks he *should* be.”

Ifs Thinking Should Self Speak Originals Telling The Truth True Self

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

“The true self is always in motion like music, a river of life, changing, moving, failing, suffering, learning, shining. That is why you must freely and recklessly make new mistakes - in writing or in life - and do not fret about them but pass on and write more.”

Writing Self Moving Suffering Mistake Failing Rivers Shining Life Changing True Self

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

“Try to discover your true, honest, untheoretical self.”

Trying Self Honest Self Esteem

Book:If You Want to Write

Source: If You Want to Write

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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