Preview
  • If You Want to Write

  • A Book about Art, Independence, and Spirit
  • By: Brenda Ueland
  • Narrated by: Pat Carroll
  • Length: 1 hr and 27 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (309 ratings)

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If You Want to Write

By: Brenda Ueland
Narrated by: Pat Carroll
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Publisher's summary

In her 93 remarkable years, veteran freelance writer, memoirist, and writing teacher Brenda Ueland published some six million words. She once said there were two simple rules that she followed absolutely: to tell the truth, and not to do anything she didn't want to do. Such integrity both distinguishes and defines If You Want to Write, her best-selling classic that first appeared in the late 1930s and has inspired thousands to find their own creative center. As Carl Sandburg once remarked, Ueland's primer is "the best book ever written on how to write".
©1938, 1987 Brenda Ueland and the Estate of Brenda Ueland (P)1991, 1998 HighBridge Company
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Critic reviews

"A fresh and viable retelling....[Hunt's] rich prose and cultural details utilize the five senses to recreate the familiar story." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about If You Want to Write

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational

The narrator is great. Entertaining, informative, and inspirational.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic abridged version

This was an excellent abridged version of Brenda Ueland’s If You Want To Write.

The readers performance is exquisite, and I would love to see a full version of Brenda Ueland’s work done by this particular reader. Her tone, her inflection, her capture of the feeling and expression in Brenda. Ueland’s work brings home, the most important parts, a Brenda Ueland’s message to us as aspiring writer’s.

The excitement and authenticity the Brenda Ueland, inspires us to was captured by the reader, in conveyed with congruency, that I thought was just wonderful.

I will listen to this multiple times and each time capture something new.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Truly Inspirational!

So easy to give up, because of what others say about your work or you're not qualified!
This book from 1938 rings truer today than when written! Thank you for recommending Mary Gauthier!!!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The courage to create

This is a very inspiring book. It’s short but sweet. I recommend this version because the voice actor does a superb job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great!

this book is such a gem and the narrator is amazing! I'd love for them to read the full version and I'll be looking for other books that they've narrated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational

I'm not sure if I'm prepared to write after reading this book. But, I am prepared to be creative. And I will be sharing it with others.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing narrative

The narrator's voice was filled with emotion and the best pacing I've heard yet. Superb. The book is well worth a listen whether you're a writer or just a creative person

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"Two thumbs up"

Loved Pat Carroll's narration of the book. She made it so easy to listen and become sunk into the book. Her voice was like listening to a wise person who has been there, done that and is sharing the information from her heart with a honesty for you to succeed in what you are wanting to accomplish. It also reaffirmed that you shouldn't rush what you are doing and not to let what others say discourage you from doing what you're doing. Let it flow on it's own. I really loved the book and would highly recommend it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Brief and Excellent

I’m a witter-want-to-be who cannot figure out how to start. I find the book to be short, interesting and excellent advice.

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Review

To the point! Excellent advice for beginning and seasoned writers. I will use this information!

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