In one of my journeys around the Internet I found a writer named Brenda Ueland. She was born in 1891, died in 1985, lived in Minnesota, was married 4 times, and wrote a wonderful book titled:
If you want to write: A book about art, independence, and spirit
Ueland talks about writing, but she is really talking about any creative process - painting, sewing, quilting, sculpting, designing, you name it. I found her book extremely inspirational. For example, here’s an excerpt:
“I have established that you should work from now on until you die, with real love and imagination and intelligence, at your writing or whatever work it is that you care about….I’m so afraid that… you’ll put off working as so many wonderfully gifted people do, until that time when your husband can retire on full pay and all your children are out of college.”
My favorite quote:
So you see, imagination needs moodling - long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering….
Moodling - what a great word! Brenda Ueland’s advice is simple: “Tell the truth” and “Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.” There is lots to think about in this little book, and you can find much to inspire you to create whatever it is you want.
The contest: I’ve a copy of the book that I’m willing to give up (I have another that’s all marked up that’s mine… all mine!). To be the winner of the book, leave a comment on this post no later than midnight, October 7 (that’s next Tuesday). In your comment, tell me what you would like to create - a book, a poem, a wall hanging, a garden, a scupture, a painting, whatever you want. I’ll use the random number generator to find the winner. Read more about my contest rules at: Thoughts and other Stuff.
I can’t wait to read what you want to create. And I am sure you’ll love the book.
Tags: baby boomer contest, Brenda Ueland, creativity
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