Highly recommended by some, painful reading to me!

The author, a lifelong writer, journalist, and writing teacher, has written a cheerleading book on how to find your authentic voice as a writer, and, by extension, how to live an authentic life in whatever you do. But I found her style annoying, repetitive, disjointed, and surprisingly unengaging. Occasional sparks of erudition emerge here and there. But one can get the essence of the book by reading its final few pages.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Hidden Gem

I checked out this book from my local library and bought my own version right after I returned it. It may have been published in the 30's but you would be silly to dismiss a good read just because it is old. Inspiration is never outdated.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Outstanding

I love this book, it's very inspirational and has induced me to write again. Writing has become a joy and not a chore and I hate the times when I don't get to write.

This book is a must read for anyone who feels they need to be more creative and self doubt holds you back.

Great book for a beginner

I'm glad to see this book still in print. Its one of my staples; a part of my writing roots. My creative writing professor made it required reading. This book is permanent in my library and filled with notes, underlines, highliter, and dog eared pages.

Disappointed

First published in 1938, it may have spoke volumes. Today, it simply isn't relevant--pure babble.
I'll never buy another e-book with out first sniffing the sample.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

If You Want To Write: More than just a writer's guide.

I first read this enthralling book in a creative writing class at Texas A&M University. As it was a required text, I had little hope that it would be applicable to more than my personal writing skills. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised by the author's unique musings on not only writing, but on life. Ueland does not bore the reader with stale writing exercises; instead she urges the reader to become 'idle' by taking the time to let thoughts flow freely and form completely. She explains that without this 'idle' thought process one's writing will be bland and meaningless. She insist that everyone has a story to tell, which she demonstrates through excerpts from her students' writings. She describes in detail what she believes to be the imagination, as well as what she believes stifles it. The entire book is a series of Ueland's creative perspectives, which I found captivating. I will reference this book in the future not only when writing, but also when searching for ways I can become more passionate about life.

If you feel bogged down when you write, read this book!

Barbara teaches by example that less is indeed more! An easy, quick and very engaging read that compels one to not get bogged down with verbosity. I dreaded writing before reading this book, yet was compelled to write because I had things to say. I now cannot wait to write! She's taught me how to "color" with few words, drawing the reader in with ease to "feel" my writing. I think good writing makes you forget you're reading. This book does just that, and it aims to compel you to accomplish the same in your writing! GREAT BOOK I first read years ago and look forward to picking up again after lending to a friend who asked to pass on to another.

Inspires you to be not only a Better Writer but a Better Person.

This book was one of the textbooks required for my ENGL 235 creative writing class. The more I read it the more I become inspired to be a better writer. To try harder in the way I live my life and to have an outlook on life that inspires people. Brenda Ueland manages to convey, in writing, all the necessary tools one most posses to become a well rounded and well respected writer. I would read this book even if I had no desire to be a writer because her writing is just pure inspiration for everyday life. It is a great book and I applaud my professor for recommending such a book.

the joy is in the journey

I had read this book about a year ago and yet I refer back to it regularly. This book is full of inspiration. Ueland defines the reasoning behind letting go and writting what simply feels right. This book brought me to realize the importance of useing talents to show others and to think of others when useing my talents. After all the joy is in the journey an the results are secondary.

Great, if not the BEST

This book grabs you by the shoulders and makes you sit upright and realize what is inside of you. It helps you realize what you can do for yourself by releasing your writing grimlins.

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