Top 10 Most Influential Writers of our Time
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Can You Name The Most Influential Writers?
Out of all the thousands of writers that have produced such wonderful literature in the world, can you name the writers that have been the most influential in our lives?
I have compiled this review of the 10 Most Influential Writers of our Time after completing a project of research into who are the most influential writers.
Over many years I have been a writer and avid reader of books, so it gave me great pleasure to undertake this review.
You will find in this list a varied array of subject matter, covering quite a number of years of some truly talented author's work. Although some of the authors are no longer with us, the majority are still producing their masterpieces for our ongoing delight.
Here you will find listed the 10 most influential writers of our time, along with examples of some great pieces of literary work by these highly talented authors.
I have compiled this review of the 10 Most Influential Writers of our Time after completing a project of research into who are the most influential writers.
Over many years I have been a writer and avid reader of books, so it gave me great pleasure to undertake this review.
You will find in this list a varied array of subject matter, covering quite a number of years of some truly talented author's work. Although some of the authors are no longer with us, the majority are still producing their masterpieces for our ongoing delight.
Here you will find listed the 10 most influential writers of our time, along with examples of some great pieces of literary work by these highly talented authors.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #10
Margaret Mitchell
Margaret Mitchell won the coveted Pulitzer Prize with Gone with the Wind, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name and won an Academy Award.
Gone with the Wind is set in Georgia during the American Civil War and follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of an Irish immigrant plantation owner.
Gone with the Wind is set in Georgia during the American Civil War and follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of an Irish immigrant plantation owner.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #9
George Orwell
As well known as the name George Orwell is, it was the pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair, an English novelist, essayist and critic, who was famous for his political satires and his influential novel, Nineteen Eighty Four.
The novel has been quoted by both left and right wing political parties.
The novel has been quoted by both left and right wing political parties.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #8
Ralph Ellison
When Ralph Ellison's impassioned, compelling novel Invisible Man was published in 1952; it won the National Book Award for fiction. Although Ellison himself was modest in his estimate of the novel's durability, the book has become an American classic.
The novel traces the life of black people in a white dominated society.
The novel traces the life of black people in a white dominated society.
Influential Writers of the Past
There have been many famous influential writers in our past history.William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Orson Welles, Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Fleming to name but a few.
Each of them have had their own unique way of writing and have been able to greatly influence many people's lives over time.
The true test of the qualities of an influential writer is the fact that they will still be read over and over again by countless generations and in so doing leave their mark on history.
Enjoy your reading.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #7
J K Rowling
The Harry Potter books are a fantasy series of seven novels by British writer J. K. Rowling. The majority of which have been made into action packed movies.
Children and adults alike have been fascinated and greatly influenced by this fiction character and cannot get enough of this young hero's adventures.
Children and adults alike have been fascinated and greatly influenced by this fiction character and cannot get enough of this young hero's adventures.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #6
Barack Obama
Barack Obama as an avid reader while studying to be a lawyer also wrote many short stories. He then turned his attention to history, philosophy and literature. His writings provided an insight into his own life and the lives of his family and all the many people that he came in contact with before becoming a government Senator.
Barack Obama wrote his influential book, the Audacity of Hope, well before he became the 44th President of the United States and his reaching out for peace to all nations won him the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2009.
Barack Obama wrote his influential book, the Audacity of Hope, well before he became the 44th President of the United States and his reaching out for peace to all nations won him the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2009.
Taking A Short Break
A Few Words From Your Host
You are half way through the list of top 10 most influential writers of our time.So far you have discovered some really great authors, but the most influential writers top 10 list now continues with the writers that have been even more influential in our lives.
Please take a moment to leave a comment with your thoughts about the top 10 list of most influential writers of our time.
And also visit some of the other places that are featured, where you will find some more influential writers.
Enjoy your reading.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #5
Doris Lessing
In 2007, Doris Lessing won the Nobel Prize in Literature and she was described as follows, "that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny".
Doris Lessing is the oldest person ever to win the literature award. Her most prominent novel was The Golden Notebook.
Doris Lessing is the oldest person ever to win the literature award. Her most prominent novel was The Golden Notebook.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #4
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is the New York Times #1 best selling author with four book titles, Blink, Tipping Point, Outliers and his new novel What the Dog Saw. He comments on business strategies, education systems and the way society acts and reacts to certain given circumstances.
Malcolm Gladwell was named by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 influential people in the world.
Malcolm Gladwell was named by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 influential people in the world.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #3
Salman Rushdie
Novelist, essayist, travel writer and screenwriter, martyr for free speech and purveyor of story as political statement, Salman Rushdie has not only achieved the singular distinction of being recognised as an artist in his own lifetime, but is also arguably the most prominent novelist of the late 20th century, both for his literary achievements and the controversy surrounding them.
His novel Satanic Verses caused him to receive death threats from the Iranian leadership.
His novel Satanic Verses caused him to receive death threats from the Iranian leadership.
What Qualities Help An Author To Become An Influential Writer?
Authors in their writing can cover a varied set of subject matter, but it is worthy of noting that this list of the top 10 most influential writers of our time contains writers that are exceptionally good at captivating the reader, provide compelling reading that is full of historical facts and are excellent story tellers.Maybe this is the formula for their success and why they became the most influential writers of our time.
Ok, so now we are down to the last two writers in the top 10 most influential writers list.
Any guesses as to which writers they are?
Enjoy your reading.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #2
Stephen King
The world's greatest living horror fiction author. The Shining, The Stand, Carrie, Salem's Lot and many of his other novels have greatly influenced both young and old. Most of his stories have been made into movies.
In 2003, Stephen King was honoured with a lifetime achievement award, the Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, with his work being described thus:
Stephen King's writing is securely rooted in the great American tradition that glorifies spirit of place and the abiding power of narrative. He crafts stylish, mind-bending page-turners that contain profound moral truths-some beautiful, some harrowing-about our inner lives.
In 2003, Stephen King was honoured with a lifetime achievement award, the Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, with his work being described thus:
Stephen King's writing is securely rooted in the great American tradition that glorifies spirit of place and the abiding power of narrative. He crafts stylish, mind-bending page-turners that contain profound moral truths-some beautiful, some harrowing-about our inner lives.
Important!
Most Influential Writer #1
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho is one of the most widely read authors and is also the most influential author writing today.
The Alchemist was published in 1987 and became a Brazilian bestseller, it has go on to sell 65 million copies world-wide, becoming one of the best selling books in history.
The Alchemist has been translated into more than 67 languages, which has won it the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author.
The Alchemist was published in 1987 and became a Brazilian bestseller, it has go on to sell 65 million copies world-wide, becoming one of the best selling books in history.
The Alchemist has been translated into more than 67 languages, which has won it the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author.
Interesting Topics
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- This is the place where writers can get their inspiration to write and increase the success for both their writing and for themselves as a writer. Inspiration is an integral part of all of us, it just sometimes needs to be stimulated.
Just Really Great Books
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Just Really Great Short Stories
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Jennifer is a romantic at heart and adores reading in the tranquil calm of the old house that is her home. But everything changes when her sleep is suddenly disturbed in the middle of the night. Rising to investigate Jennifer soon finds herself immersed in a dark and mysterious adventure. She has lived alone in the old house for the last three and a half years since her mother died and never before had felt there was any need to think she should be afraid. But Jennifer does experience real fear and in the depths of the darkness she discovers a love that is destined to change her life forever.
More Influential Writing
Tell Me What You Like About 10 Most Influential Writers of our Time
Take A Few Moments And Let Me Know What You Think
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kovid7
May 29, 2012 @ 9:36 pm | delete
- I don't see how Barack Obama is one of the 10 most influential writers. He is, undoubtedly, one of the most influential world leaders - but not a writer. And, I'm saying this because I've read his stuff!
And moreover, it would be very unjust to put Barack Obama and Salman Rushdie in the same list for the same reason.
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JKent
Apr 30, 2012 @ 8:40 pm | delete
- Silent Spring, The Jungle, and Uncle Tom's Cabin are generally recognized as the most influential books ever....surprised that none of the authors of these history-changing books made the list
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cindywilliams0 Apr 22, 2012 @ 8:47 pm | delete
- Never heard of Paulo Coelho. Hm. . . . will need to take a look at his work. Thank you for creating this lens, enjoyed it.
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seedlingspublishinggroup
Apr 22, 2012 @ 7:45 pm | delete
- I am amazed the Any Rand has not made this list, considering her effortless foreshadowing of the world we are living in. I think this list hits the mark, however. Thank you for not adding the author of Twilight!
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OhMe Jan 14, 2012 @ 10:39 am | delete
- I've never read any of Paulo Coelho's books so will have to do something about that.
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Terry
Dec 10, 2011 @ 10:33 pm | delete
- Barack Obama..seriously? I hadn't even heard of any of his work before he ran for president, much less him himself. Surely there are many other more deserving than he.
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vikksimmons
Nov 21, 2011 @ 2:11 am | delete
- I would probably quibble with Obama and maybe Gladwell on the list. I definitely don't think Obama as a writer has even had time to be tested nor have I seem much evidence of the impact of his writings yet. Gladwell's slightly different in that his thought has definitely been felt but I'm still not sure how his concepts will do over time. Has Gladwell been influential, definitely, but perhaps it's more about degree. Can he keep it up?
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Rakhi_Dalal
Nov 11, 2011 @ 7:43 am | delete
- I guess the likes of Kafka, Camus and Fyodor will make a great addition in the list :)
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bikerministry
Jul 10, 2011 @ 10:03 am | delete
- Wow - great lens. It kept my attention - I like the break mid-way. Didn't realize I've read many of the books you've ranked.
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taxeg
Apr 26, 2011 @ 7:59 am | delete
- Nice lens.Thanks for sharing. Work Plan Platform
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