10 Best Writers Who Ever Lived

10 Best Writers Who Ever Lived
By Rix Quinn

Compiling a list of the historys ten best writers is like skating on a heated swimming pool. Just when you get started, you find yourself in hot water.

The reason is: writings completely subjective. What interests you may not interest me. We all read for different reasons.

But, here in no particular order -- is another list of the worlds top wordsmiths:

1. Aesop Around 600 B.C. this Greek slave began to chronicle fables from around the world. His stories like the one about the tortoise and hare gave animals human qualities, and illustrated critical life lessons.

2. Aristophanes Reportedly the first comedy writer, back in 400 B.C. He combined plays with song and repetition to provide entertainment for ancient Greeks.

3. Socrates A contemporary of Aristophanes, he was likely historys first self-help writer. He taught people to seek ultimate truths by questioning conventional wisdom and examining their own beliefs. He said folks shouldnt accept opinion as fact.

4. Sophocles Another guy with no last name. He created plays that usually centered on a single heroic character who chose an unpopular course of action.

5. William Shakespeare This brilliant authors plays and phrases will live forever. If historians ever prove a theory that he was a composite of three dramatists, the list of top ten authors will immediately expand to 12.

6. Benjamin Franklin This multi-talented American championed succinct writing, and his epigrams became part of our national heritage. Ben warned, He that speaks much is much mistaken.

7. Abraham Lincoln Sure, he nearly always heads the list of best Presidents. But this Illinois native crafted some of this countrys finest speeches, including the Gettysburg Address.

8. Mark Twain Hes been called Americas finest author because he wrote in American dialect, using phrases and speech unique to the United States. He punctured pompous prose, and laced his stories with regional references.

9. Winston Churchill/Franklin Roosevelt These Allied leaders led their countries through World War II, and their vivid words inspired millions.

10. You or me? Who knows? Theres an old saying that theres always room at the top. Good writing can change minds, and great writing can change the world.

Rix Quinn wrote Words That Stick: A Guide to Short Writing with Big Impact. Its a writing book to help people who hate to write... and its available from your local bookstore, or from Amazon.com.

He speaks frequently to education and business groups, and may be contacted at his office, phone 817-920-7999.

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