Xenophon: Famous writers from A to Z on writing

Writing trends and practices may have changed considerably throughout history, but some of the basics remain the same. For example, working writers must often juggle deadlines and the extra work it takes to create quality reading. 

Xenophon (430 -354 BC) was a Greek historian, as well as a soldier. His most well-known works included Anabasis, Conversations of Socrates, Hellenica, The Art of Horsemanship, The Persian Expedition, and The Symposium. Here’s how this Classical wordsmith described the tension between timing and true writing:

“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.”

Fact-checking and proofreading take time. Today, many writers ply their trade online, frequently publishing tons of content efficiently and promptly without the safety net of any editors. Producing clear, factual, timely material can be challenging.

What happens (at least in an ideal world) when a skilled writer does deliver well-crafted work on time? Hopefully, those who read it will recognize the worth of what they have been offered.

That’s when the truth of this additional Xenophon quote kicks in.

“The sweetest of all sounds is praise.”

Real writers don’t write simply for rave reviews. But they sure are rewarding when they happen.

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