We all read masterpieces of famous classical writers and were amazed by their talent and ability to describe the times they lived in. Maybe they even inspired some people to write their own amazing stories. However, would their writing be different if they lived in our modern world?
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Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur wasn’t a simple writer: he was a talented criminalist too. Many criminal investigation methods described in his books weren’t known to the police back then: they began to use them only later.
That’s why we can assume that Arthur could play a role of modern Sherlock Holmes these days: consult the police, work as a private investigator or even start his own blog about criminal investigations.
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Jane Austen
Jane was quite an extraordinary woman: she was very smart, though she hadn’t even finished school, had a strong personality and was very sensible at the same time. Jane wrote many romantic novels, however, they weren’t very popular back then.
If Jane lived in our modern world, everything could be different, though. She could receive a proper education and continue studying in the university or online. She could also become a famous journalist or blogger, well-known for her sense of humor, always able to notice the most interesting things about people. Of course, she could also write stunning novels about modern romance.
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Jules Verne
Young Jules studied law but abandoned promising career when realized that writing is his true passion. He traveled a lot, mostly on his yachts, gathering material for his novels.
Modern Jules could become an owner of a yacht club or a well-known traveling blogger. Maybe he could even travel all over the world as nowadays it is totally possible.
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Franz Kafka
Franz’s life wasn’t as exciting as his books: he was an ordinary clerk and the stories that he published weren’t popular at all. Franz became famous only after his death when his best manuscripts were finally published.
That’s why we can assume that modern Kafka probably would live a similar life and be an ordinary office worker. However, there’s a possibility that he’d publish some of his work online under a pseudonym and would realize that he’s a great writer after all.
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Leo Tolstoy
Leo was an honest man: when he married his wife, he gave her his personal diary and asked her to read about his romances with other women (which were described in details). He did this on their wedding night and though we may find this decision strange, his goal to avoid secrets in marriage is admirable.
Maybe modern Leo would go even further, not only show these writings to his wife but also post them online: in his blog or on Facebook, for example. This way everyone would know about his honesty. However, it is also possible that he would change his decision to show his diary: after all, previous romances aren’t as important in the modern world as they were before.
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Victor Hugo
Victor’s life was strongly influenced by the various political turmoil of that age: his father was an officer serving to Napoleon and supporting him. Victor himself decided to leave France after Napoleon’s coup d’etat and lived in exile for a few years.
However, these days the situation could be completely different: Victor could become a famous journalist writing about politics and probably wouldn’t have to leave his country. He also could marry his wife, Adele, a few years earlier: his mother disapproved that marriage and so they had to wait until her death. However, it’s quite possible that these days mother’s blessing wouldn’t matter to Victor this much.
Agatha was a smart, courageous woman, who received a good education, worked as a nurse during World War 1 and as a pharmacist later. Due to this experience, she was able to write her detective novels in amazing details. She was also somehow eccentric: when her first husband told her that he wants a divorce, Agatha ran away and was found in a hotel a few weeks later.
Maybe modern Agatha would live more calmer and interesting life at the same time: she wouldn’t face the fears of war but could self-educate herself all the time. Maybe she would even receive a PhD in medicine and, of course, would continue to write her detective novels: that was her biggest passion, after all.
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James Joyce
James had to travel a lot: partially because he wanted to do so, partially because of wars (he witnessed two world wars during his life). He loved his homeland, though: his famous novel Ulysses describes Dublin in stunning details. He also changed many professions due to his financial problems: James tried working as a teacher, as a journalist, etc.
These days you cannot surprise somebody if you change professions often: moreover, you can earn money easily with the help of freelance if you are skilled and able to organize yourself well. James could become a freelance writer and use the money he earned to travel the world and to visit his homeland more often.
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Ernest Hemingway
Ernest had a deep fear of public speaking (it is called pyrophobia) and had troubles believing any praises (even the ones made by his friends). Back then he drowned his sorrows in alcohol, but these days he probably could find another way to cope with his problems: after all, today there are so many introverts, who prefer online communication to offline activities. Moreover, there are so many forums dedicated to various phobias, where modern Ernest could chat. Maybe he would find a therapist there or would even make advantage of his phobias and start his own blog about them.
It was thought that Ernest was paranoid because he talked a lot about FBI spying on him. Later it was revealed he was right. Modern Ernest could fill his home with various surveillance tools to find out, whether he’s right or not (however, the answer could upset him).
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Francis Scott Fitzgerald
Scott had a tough life: his wife had psychological problems; he experienced a deep writing crisis because of it and was addicted to alcohol. Later he switched to writing scenarios instead of books.
These days Scott’s wife probably would feel better as medicine progressed a lot. Moreover, Scott himself probably would continue writing novels or would become a famous screenwriter worthy of Oscar.
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