My Magic 10 Authors (Top Ten Authors)

Member Name: veleona

Product:	Top Ten Authors
Date:	04/06/09 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Styles, topic, and ideas in writing can be derived from this review

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My Magic 10 Authors

ABOUT THE REVIEW

This review contains sort of different writers from different corners the world, from history and present. Here are list of authors describing them as a writer on how they started writing; topics that they are interested in; sort of their works and a little autobiography. Some are known and famous some may not be, however, all of them may be beneficial.

INTRODUCTION

I just started writing I think, when I begun to be an enthusiast in reading. I love reading books, especially those with old and dilapidated cover and pages; books that has brown and fragile pages because of its oldness.

I read because I want to know what goes on in the human mind and what the writers are telling about it. What are their ideas, views and opinion in life and in the circulation of life...and because of this, I don't only satisfy the cravings of my mind but, I also learned from the writers...
Due to this, I thought of sharing some of the good authors that I met and admired because of their styles and ideas in writing. This is the list of the writers that made an impact in my whole being:

1. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Longfellow was introduced to us by our English Literary teacher when I was in my junior high school. She asked as to memorize one of his famous poems, The Psalm of Life. I love poems and I love making some, but when I saw his poem, I was astonished and shock and I said to myself, 'his name suits his poems'. The poem is very long and some words for me, at that time is very unfamiliar...but then, as I read the poem, I forgot how long it is to memorize but how short and precised it is to describe how the life goes by...(enough for the story telling = ] ).

About the writer

Longfellow was one of the most popular American poets in his time, but he was not the greatest of all. First, he was just a dreamer...hoping that one day he'd become a literary professor but writing at their time is not a good source for living. He became a teacher of modern language and at some time, his writings brought success in his life that caused him to leave his profession. He published his first fruit when he was thirty-two and this contains The Psalm of Life. His interest are more on human life.

Style of writing

He had a two volume of prose, he is a good story teller but he found verses to be his best medium of expression. His poems are lyrical, with a specific number of verses to follow that gives a good sound and rhythm when read. Most of his poems are about life, personal experiences and anybody can connect and understands his writings.

2. Leo Tolstoy

I placed him second in my list not only because of his good style and meaningful writing but because we both have the same date of birth (except the year =) ). I read one of his short story, God Sees the Truth but Waits.

About the writer

His real name is Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy, a Russian author and best known for his work War and Peace. Though he was born with silver spoon in his mouth, he still keeps his foot on the ground and an advocate of the peasant class especially when it comes to education.

He began his work in writing in telling a story about his life --- all his experiences from childhood until he reached his adult years. His books became his open diary. The content of his writings were very much influence by his experiences in life...whether it brings him good or bad.

Style of writing

His writings mostly come out to be philosophical and spiritual. Some of his essays were focused in ethics and moral values that reveal his identity as a Christian. His novels are mostly focused on realities of life. With his firm faith and a heart for the low class, he uses his skill in writing to unfold the real life of many.

3. Bob Ong

This one differs from the story of others; I read one of his books the Stainless Longganisa , because a friend left the book in our house when she once got a chance to visit. The book is about his life as a writer and how a life of a writer looks like. Maybe, this book or his style in writing per se triggers my mind to think of being a writer or an author of a book and became known (wow!)...

I like the way he writes and the content of his books than I wanted to have all his books but unfortunately I only had two and it is only a gift! But I finished reading all his books because another friend has a collection.

About the writer

Bob Ong a nickname of his pseudonym Roberto Ong first had a website which is the Bobong Pinoy (Idiot Filipino)where he stared writing and opening topics dealing with religion, politics, and life experiences. But due to the mounting members of the site, Bob Ong decided to shut the site and no longer used it to protect his identity. He began to write the topics that they discussed in the site that triggered him to write more of his views, opinion and life experiences. However, in one of his books he mentioned of changing his pseudonym and shift to another genre of writing. Many believe that his writings as Bob Ong are the modern form of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (Both works of the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, an awakening call for the Filipinos for revolution).

Style of writing

His writing often deals with his life experiences and views. He's well known for his ridiculous stories. His books are like a letter from a friend that tells a story but pointing out to a certain point or perspective. Though his works seems to be funny and ridiculous and even he writes like a jocular person, he is serious about the matter that he is writing about and he is certain that while you read or after you read, he will make you think about his ideas and opinion. For me, his works are satirical...a type of writing that seems to be ridiculous but hits the reality.
He wrote six books using the pseudonym of Bob Ong:

1. Abankkbsnplako (aba nakaka basa na pala ako - I can now read ) is about education. He shared his experience as a student and as a teacher.
2. Paboritong Libro ni Hudas (Favorite book of Jude) or I call as black book. Deals about religion.
3. Stainless Longganisa. As I mentioned above, this book is about writing.
4. Alamat ng Gubat ( A myth of jungle). Points out politics.
5. Bakit Baligtad mag Basa and Pinoy (why Filipino read in inverted manner.) About the culture, tradition and beliefs of Filipinos.
6. Mc Arthur or the red book which deals about the effect of society to the youth and the effect of that affected youth to the society.

4. King Solomon

It is impossible for me not to know this writer. He is one of the known names in the Bible history. And his books in the Bible are very useful to everyone, Christian or non-Christian.

About the writer

He is one of the sons of King David (a shepherd boy who became a king after he defeats a giant Philistine) and successor of King David's throne. In his time and up to now, he is well known for his vast wisdom and knowledge and great wealth which comes from the Lord God of his father. His works were from his own experiences.

Style of writing

in his three books compiled in the Bible shows different styles in expression but in physical structure, they are all written in verses and the two were written in poetic verses. His works were from the knowledge of his own experiences and are open and helpful to all human experiences.

The following are the books written by King Solomon and a brief introduction and content of his books:

1. Proverbs - in this book, he is not the writer of all the verses, a circle of wise men also contributed into this book as it is said as the 'saying of the wise'. The larger part of the book is written in contrast or general observations, but usually it deals on evaluating conduct. This book is very rich in information and very useful in guiding ones living. It is intended to teach, instruct and inform.
2. Ecclesiastes or the Preacher - shows a viewpoint of optimistic and pessimistic. This book was written from his own perspective and from his own understanding. The book contains the philosophical and theological reflection of an old man whose life was meaningless because he had not relied on God.

3. Song of Solomon - for me, this is a book of a love story...quite different from the first two books...this is a love song and the voice of the beloved is dominant. It is an experience of love, both as the one who loves and the one who loved that is most clearly expressed in this song.

5. Salvador P. Lopez

I was reading my old dilapidated book when a Filipino author caught my attention because of his essay, The Making of a Writer. I read his essay and agreed much on what he said and I can say that he is really qualified to write this kind of essay.

About the writer

Salvador P. Lopez is a columnist, magazine editor, and editorial writer, professor of English, poet, and essayist. He had had long years of training and practice behind him when he published his collection of essays, Literature and Society, from which the essay The Making of a Writer has been taken. The book won its authors the first prize in essay writing in the Commonwealth Literary Contest of 1940.

Style of writing

his style of writing is direct to the point and very vivid. Sometimes he uses figurative language and idioms. He opens up an idea, deal with it, expound. Most of his writing is agreeable since it tackles about society and natural life of human and human mind.

6. Robert Frost

Frost is one of the American poets that really mark on my mind when I was studying World Literature (one of my major subjects). His name marked in me because of the simplicity of his writings.

About the writer

Frost is a kind of an introvert farmer who has found beauty and meaning in every aspects of nature which a farmer knows. With this, he wrote his known poem The Road Not Taken. The tough and uneasy life of Frost reveals on his works. These resentments motivated and set his mind and emotion to write his poetry. With the beauty of poems, Frost became one of the most known writers in America in 20th century.

Style of writing

In writing his poems, he used traditional rhyme and meter in writing his poems. He uses words and rhythms that are commonly conversational, simple and easy to comprehend. His poems that are written in stanzas and verses, starts in a happy story and ended up in wisdom. Frost's work revealed his reflection as an emotional and high intellectual person.

7. Helen Keller

I am very much inspired on this one. Though she is physically disabled, this did not hinder her in showing the beauty of life thru her writings.

About the writer

Helen, at a time, was known to be the handicapped poet. She suffered for a severe illness when she was one year and six months that caused her to be blind and deaf. However, being handicapped did not disable her in picturing the beauty of life. In fact, she was an outstanding student in her time and became an activist and lecturer. Keller became known as a writer when she first had her first book which tells about her life...an autobiography entitled The Story of My Life . This began her work a writer with an inspirational quote to grab...

Style in writing

Helen wrote in a very personal manner. Though she is blind she can vividly describe things in life...one of her quotable quotes is, 'It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision'. She writes to inspire, encourage and kindle the heart of many. In her writing, she uses much figurative language to communicate her ideas, thoughts, beliefs and views.

8. Emily Dickinson

Emily is one of the humble writers that I know; a woman that stands on her ground with a very admirable character and ideas.

About the writer

Emily started writing poetry when she reached her ...and it for most of about her adult life. She was not famous as a writer or a poet during her lifetime because she chooses to be unknown. Only few of her close friends and relatives had read and knew her poems. Years gone by and few of her works were published, after her death her sister promoted her works that in some time she has been known as one of the female finest writer in 19th century.

Style in writing

Emily also like Whitman anticipated there would be changes in the form of writing poetry in generation to come. However, Emily did not adopt the free verse style of Whitman. She uses a certain extent of lines, rhythms in the lines of her poetry, following the customary patterns of her time. Her subject and images in her poetry mostly describe the present happenings in her years.

Her interest in writing focuses in what goes on in human minds and imaginations rather than the real external nature of life. But when she writes about nature it deals about the effect of nature to human being (nature and nurture. In her writing, she uses figures of speech to create and build rhymes to her simple and short poems.

9. Rick Warren

I have had heard of his name and his book before but never read his book until our pastor gave me one..._The Purpose Driven Life_ ...until now, I not yet finished reading this forty-day devotion. But then, his mind (spiritual ideas and views) that was printed in the book makes me like him.

About the writer

Rick Warren is a Pastor of a Christian church in Lake Forest, California. He is a full time worker of the gospel in the said church. He started his ministry with his wife and held their church in their living room...beginning in small and now his church grew bigger. His name popped out because of the increasing members of their church and the messages that he is dealing with. His passion is in attacking what he calls the five "Global Goliaths" - spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy/poor education. His first aim, I think, caused him to write his well-known book, The Purpose Driven Life. He wrote the book The Purpose Driven Life having faith that God called him to write the book to lead people in God's purpose driven life. The book hits its aim and very fulfilling to read, reread and reread...

Since Rick Warren is a pastor - a Christian leader, his works commonly aiming to share his faith, not only to be read by somebody, get inspired and agreed on most of his words! He's aiming to hit beyond the mind but to touch humans' soul...

Style of writing

his work is not just a mere opinion but comes from the knowledge of God supported by the scriptures in the Bible. Every idea that is his work is very huge --- that anything that a man needs to know correlated to the relationship of God and man and his purpose in living can be tackled and expound...his book The Purpose Driven Life caused the reader to think and meditate in his/own.

10. Franklin W. Dixon

This is the only pseudonym that I know that holds a mysterious identity...= )

About the writer

his name suits the genre of his work...he has a very vague identity because his name is a pseudonym of an American writer and publisher...when I search the internet to look for more personal information... I found out that Franklin W. Dixon, the said author of The Hardy Boys was used by several ghost-writers of the Stratemeyer Syndicates. However, though there is a confusing side of his identity, Franklin W. Dixon I still believe that it is really a pen name used by Edward Stratemeyer. Writer and publisher of books for children in the ranging from 10-14 (but I still love and enjoy to read more of his books). Many writers have wrote different series of The Hardy Boys and this book also hides a mystery if who really are the writers of the said book in the name of Franklin W. Dixon. (for more info search: who wrote the hardy boys?)

Style of writing

I only have one genre of his book and that is The Hardy Boys and I can say that he is really good in writing fictional stories of mysteries...

Hope you enjoy reading...!

©veleona June 2009
(this review can also be read @ ciao.com)

Summary: my best pick authors that made influence in my life