Brenda Ueland
Brenda Ueland
Full Name and Common Aliases
Brenda Ueland was a Norwegian-American writer, journalist, and editor. Her full name is often cited as Brenda Ueland.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 4, 1891, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Passed away on February 5, 1985, at the age of 93.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Ueland was a Norwegian-American writer who worked as a journalist, editor, and writer throughout her life. Her work spans various genres, including creative nonfiction, essays, poetry, and fiction.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Minneapolis, Ueland's early life was marked by hardship and resilience. She suffered from poor eyesight and struggled with poverty, but these experiences instilled in her a strong sense of determination and resourcefulness. Her mother, Helena, had a significant influence on Brenda's writing career; she encouraged her daughter to develop her creative skills.
Major Accomplishments
Brenda Ueland's accomplishments are numerous:
Edited the influential magazine _The MidCentury_ from 1935 until its demise in 1941.
Collaborated with notable figures like Carl Sandburg, Ezra Pound, and D.H. Lawrence on various writing projects.
Authored several books, including memoirs, essays, and poetry collections that reflect her passion for nature and the human experience.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Brenda Ueland's notable works include:
Her influential book _If You Want to Write: A Book on Writing_ (1938), which emphasizes creativity, self-trust, and individuality in writing.
The essay collection _Pilgrimage to Nonkonaba_ (1956) explores her travels to Africa and the impact of these experiences on her life and writing.Impact and Legacy
Brenda Ueland's legacy as a writer and editor has had a lasting impact:
Her writing emphasizes creativity, authenticity, and self-expression.
She challenged traditional views of writing, advocating for a more spontaneous and individual approach.
Through her work, she encouraged readers to explore their own creative potential.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Brenda Ueland's quotes and writings continue to inspire new generations:
Her emphasis on the importance of creativity and self-expression has resonated with writers worldwide.
Her commitment to individuality in writing has influenced a wide range of literary styles.
* As an advocate for women's rights, she paved the way for future female writers.
Brenda Ueland's enduring influence stems from her unwavering dedication to creative expression and self-trust.
Quotes by Brenda Ueland
Brenda Ueland's insights on:
It is so conceited and timid to be ashamed of one’s mistakes. Of course they are mistakes. Go on to the next.
Well, van Gogh was one of the great painters. During his life he made only 109 dollars in all on his paintings. They are now worth about two million dollars. He had a terribly hard life – loneliness, poverty, and starvation that led to insanity. And yet it was one of the greatest lives that was ever lived – the happiest, the most burningly incandescent.
And the true listener is much more beloved, magnetic than the talker, and he is more effective and learns more and does more good.
You can write anything you want to, – a six-act blank verse, symbolic tragedy or a vulgar short, short story. Just so that you write it with honesty and gusto, and do not try to make somebody believe that you are smarter than you are. What’s the use? You can never be smarter than you are.
The only good teachers for you are those friends who love you, who think you are interesting, or very important, or wonderfully funny.
Everyone knows how people who laugh easily create us by their laughter, – making us think of funnier and funnier things.
If you are never satisfied with what you write, that is a good sign. It means that your vision can see so far that it’s hard to come up to it. Again I say – the only unfortunate people are the glib ones, immediately satisfied with their work. To them, the ocean is only knee-deep.