First published in 1938 and again more recently in the 1980s, Brenda Ueland created a great book for struggling authors who may have hit a roadblock.

This book came highly recommended by a friend and I’m glad I took my time in reading it. Ueland takes much for the works of William Blake to stress her points thoughout the book, with the emphasis that every single person is talented and has something to say.

The one thing I took from this book that I want to put into practice in my own life more regularly and thoroughly is keeping a journal. Ueland quoted from her own many times to show that such mundane descriptions often turn into more and help a write find their creative flow.

I’ve always tried in the past to keep journals, but I’m hoping this book motivated me enough to actually start doing it.

My all-time favourite book on writing and being creative. A must-read. ( )

This is an unusual book - it always made me feel good to read even just a little bit of it. The author is very encouraging about the inner creativity that is within all of us. We just need to bring it out. She talks about bringing out the true self in your writing, drawing or whatever you might be creating. I want to bring that positive feeling to my work and my life. To try. To strive. To work. To encourage myself and others. To work not for fame or wealth, but to work for my own sake, for me. And, I'm inspired to be a better person, someone who will truly love and share in all I do. ( )

This is a book that all writers – professional and amateurs – should keep and revisit every once in a while. Ueland is like a really supportive and generous friend who coaches you in finding the writer within you and letting go of the fears and insecurities that are holding you back. Like the other books on writing, it is not just about writing but being an authentic and creative person. At the heart of the book is the simple edict: A writer must write. It doesn’t get any simpler (or harder) than that! ( )

Her introduction was a bit of a turn-off (too much self-congratulations on writing such a fantastic book) and at times the text reads a bit too much like a rambling (albeit interesting) monologue... But despite that, her advice on freeing up the creative mind and having the nerve to be bold is good and helpful, and some of her stories and quotes are amusing and inspiring. ( )