Inspiration

Brenda Ueland, journalist, editor and writer was born on this day, 24 October 1891, and died in 1985
She was a pioneer in creative writing, best known for her guide on writing “If You Want To Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit” (1938).
According to her every human being is able to write well: “This is what I learned: that everybody is talented, original and has something important to say.”

She was a bit eccentric, an activist for women’s rights, very physically active (well into her old age), and she loved playing tennis in the nude.

Here’s what she said about on inspiration:

“Inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness.”

“…writing is not a performance but a generosity.”

“Creative power flourishes only when I am living in the present.”

“Everybody is original, if he tells the truth, if he speaks from himself. But it must be from his *true* self and not from the self he thinks he *should* be.”

Photo: Eugenio Caldarini

“L’ispirazione non arriva come un fulmine, e non è neppure uno sforzo cinetico ed energetico, ma entra in noi lentamente, silenziosamente e continuamente, anche se dobbiamo darle regolarmente e ogni giorno una piccola possibilità di iniziare a fluire, incoraggiandola con un po’ di solitudine e di ozio.”

“… la scrittura non è una prestazione ma un atto disinteressato”

“Il potere creativo fiorisce solo quando io vivo nel presente.”

“Ognuno è originale, se dice la verità, se la sua voce proviene dal suo sé. Ma deve venire dal vero sé e non dal sé che pensa di dover essere. “