Dorothea Brande

Dorothea Brande – Life, Work, and Inspiring Quotes

Explore the life of Dorothea Brande (1893–1948), the American writer, editor, and writing mentor known for Becoming a Writer and Wake Up and Live!. Delve into her philosophies on creativity, discipline, and overcoming inertia.

Introduction

Dorothea Brande (born Alice Dorothea Alden Thompson, January 12, 1892/1893 – December 17, 1948) was a prominent American writer, editor, and teacher of writing whose ideas about habit, inspiration, and the writer’s mindset remain influential. Her books—most notably Becoming a Writer (1934) and Wake Up and Live! (1936)—blend practical advice, psychological insight, and motivational rhetoric to help readers unlock creative potential.

Though less widely known today than some of her peers, Brande’s work continues to be cited by writers, coaches, and creativity teachers. Her core message: forging a disciplined creative routine, harnessing the unconscious mind, and acting “as if it were impossible to fail.”

Early Life and Education

• Dorothea Brande was born in Chicago (in the Englewood area) as Alice Dorothea Alden Thompson. (Some sources list January 12, 1892, though many later references give 1893 as her birth year)

• She was the youngest of five children of Frederick S. and Alice P. Thompson, both originally from Maine.

• Brande pursued higher education at several institutions: the University of Chicago, the Lewis Institute in Chicago, and the University of Michigan, where she earned academic honors (including membership in Phi Beta Kappa).

• Before rising to prominence, she worked in journalism and as a reporter in Chicago, and later took roles in literary and editorial circles in New York.

Her background combines both academic grounding and early immersion in periodical journalism — a combination that shaped her dual interests in writing craft and literary publishing.

Career & Major Works

Writing & orial Roles

• In New York’s literary scene, Brande became active as an editor and critic. She contributed to magazines, reviewed books, and worked on correspondence and writer-training programs.

• She held the position of associate editor of The American Review during the mid-1930s.

• In 1936 she married Seward B. Collins, the owner/editor of The American Review, aligning her more closely with that publication’s circle.

• Some controversy surrounds her connection with Collins, as he advocated an American variant of fascist ideas (reflected in The American Review). Brande participated in publishing in those venues.

Signature Books & Influence

Brande’s reputation rests largely on two works:

1. Becoming a Writer (1934)
   This guide for writers remains in print. It offers practical counsel on daily routines, managing self-doubt, tapping the unconscious mind, and turning writing into a habit.

2. Wake Up and Live! (1936)
   A motivational/self-help work published during the Great Depression, it encourages readers to overcome inertia, fear, and passivity. Remarkably, it sold over one million copies and went through many printings. The book was adapted into a film in 1937.

Other works by Brande include Beauty Vanishes (1935), The Most Beautiful Lady (1935), Letters to Philippa (1937), and My Invincible Aunt (1938).

Her writings often straddle the border between literary reflection and self-help psychology, blending insight with encouragement to act.

Artistic Philosophy & Core Themes

Two Minds: Conscious & Unconscious

One of Brande’s central ideas is that a writer must learn to harness both the conscious mind (craft, criticism, editing) and the unconscious mind (source of ideas, imagery, intuition). She argues that many writing-training methods overemphasize conscious critique and stifle creativity; instead, one must “teach yourself not as though you were one person, but two.”

Habit, Routine & Overcoming Inertia

Brande strongly promotes building disciplined habits — e.g. writing at a consistent time, routine structure — to combat inertia, self-doubt, procrastination. Her famous aphorism, “Act as if it were impossible to fail,” encapsulates her prescription to break the spell of fear and inertia.

She sees creative work not as occasional inspiration but as a disciplined daily commitment.

Imagination, Visualization & Pre-planning

Brande suggests mentally rehearsing or visualizing one’s day before it begins — going over what you intend to write — to prime the unconscious toward action.

The Role of Small Successes

She emphasizes that progress is cumulative: “It is the sum of small things successfully done that lifts a life out of bondage to the humdrum.”

Brande also warns against letting rejection or criticism demoralize the creative spirit. The artistic self often “quivers,” she says, but must be coaxed back to work.

Legacy & Influence

• Becoming a Writer remains a touchstone for creative writing programs, writing coaches, and aspiring authors.

• Brande is frequently quoted in collections of motivational and writing-craft literature, and her advice continues to circulate in blogs, workshops, and creative communities.

• Her blending of psychological insight and practical discipline anticipated later “creativity coaches” and self-improvement traditions.

• Her association with The American Review and Seward Collins casts a more complex shadow, inviting critical reassessment of how intellectual and political commitments intertwine with literary influence.

While her name is not as prominent today as some peers, Brande’s ideas survive on the margins of creative practice as a quietly enduring influence.

Famous Quotes by Dorothea Brande

Here are several of her enduring quotes — reflections on creativity, action, and inner resistance:

“Act as if it were impossible to fail.” “All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail. That is the talisman … which turns us from failure to success.” “Act boldly and unseen forces will come to your aid.” “By going over your day in imagination before you begin it, you can begin acting successfully at any moment.” “There are seeds of self-destruction in all of us that will bear only unhappiness if allowed to grow.” “Writing calls on unused muscles and involves solitude and immobility.” “The first step to being a writer is to hitch your unconscious mind to your writing arm.” “A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.”

These quotes reflect both the psychological stakes of writing and Brande’s insistence on the necessity of purposeful action.

Lessons We Can Learn from Brande

1. Discipline trumps romance
   Even with inspiration, consistent routine and commitment are essential to realize creative potential.

2. Trust the unconscious
   Crediting the deeper mind — through visualization, rest, and gestural routines — can awaken insights that conscious force alone cannot.

3. Fake it till it becomes real
   Acting “as if it were impossible to fail” is not delusion, but a psychological tool to shift momentum and quiet internal resistance.

4. Small steps build momentum
   Even modest daily acts of writing or creativity compound over time.

5. Handle criticism with composure
   Rejection and negative feedback are part of the creative path — the key is not letting them silence the artistic voice.

6. Clarity precedes action
   Clearly stating your intent or problem can clarify solutions and move you toward resolution.

Conclusion

Dorothea Brande may not be universally known today, but her contributions to writing craft, creativity psychology, and motivational literature remain deeply felt. She urged writers not only to think — but to act — giving tools to break inertia, summon discipline, and nurture the often-hidden alliance between conscious effort and deeper imagination.

Her legacy is not one of stylistic mastery or literary fame, but of empowerment, of reminding creators that greatness begins, above all, with courage and the daily decision to begin.