allarminda 's review for:

If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland

3.0

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I enjoyed the seemingly simple reminders scattered throughout this book to consistently DO my thing (whether that's writing or dancing or meditation or martial arts or pottery or public speaking or basket weaving). Because it's only in the doing of it that the craft and skill are made. What I didn't enjoy as much were what felt like massive tangents the author indulged herself by sharing too much of her students' writing. I just didn't care that much to read page after page of what she felt was a lovely example of good writing. The book is worth the read (skip the students' samples) and one I will revisit for my own under linings and marginal notes.