It's always in flux. But for today, these are my choices for favorite and/or keenly influential word smiths.
Abstract prose: Gertrude Stein
Victorian melodrama: Thomas Hardy
Satire: Jonathon Swift
Historical narrative: James Michener
SG banter: Aeryn
Poetry: Barry Gifford
(note: really too many to choose)
Paradigm for living: Rumi
Spiritual paradigm: Jesus
(note: I am not Christian)
Conceptual paradigm: Sir Francis Bacon
Musical lyricist: Bob Dylan
(note: the early years)
General fiction: Kurt Vonnegut
(note: I have never read Hemingway)
Nonfiction: Winston Churchill
Contemporary short story: Rod Serling
Essayist/lecturer: Stanley Fish
Screen play: Woody Allen
Classic drama: William Shakespeare
Contemporary drama: John Steinbeck
Daily editorial: Herb Caen
Fairy tale: Beatrix Potter
If anybody sees this, though doubtful, who are yours?
Abstract prose: Gertrude Stein
Victorian melodrama: Thomas Hardy
Satire: Jonathon Swift
Historical narrative: James Michener
SG banter: Aeryn
Poetry: Barry Gifford
(note: really too many to choose)
Paradigm for living: Rumi
Spiritual paradigm: Jesus
(note: I am not Christian)
Conceptual paradigm: Sir Francis Bacon
Musical lyricist: Bob Dylan
(note: the early years)
General fiction: Kurt Vonnegut
(note: I have never read Hemingway)
Nonfiction: Winston Churchill
Contemporary short story: Rod Serling
Essayist/lecturer: Stanley Fish
Screen play: Woody Allen
Classic drama: William Shakespeare
Contemporary drama: John Steinbeck
Daily editorial: Herb Caen
Fairy tale: Beatrix Potter
If anybody sees this, though doubtful, who are yours?
aeryn:
I see this... and I never thought I would see my name included in a list of such greats. I'm humbled.
lorelei:
thank you for taking the time to write that comment. i'm glad i made sense to you. i don't think my repertoire of past reading could ever fill all the categories in that list, but that's one of the reasons for my vow to read more books.. if you ever want to recommend any reading material you think might suit me, please feel free. 