Inflation is the increase in the prices of goods and services across an economy. When prices inflate, you need more money to buy the same things. The opposite of inflation is deflation, when prices are lower across a range of goods and services.
James Howell, a 17th century historian cum writer was the first writer to earn his living from writing alone in the English language; other writers of those times pursued writing as a hobby, not a profession as writing alone never paid enough.
Updated March 03, 2017. Murasaki Shikibu (c. 976-978 - c. 1026-1031) is known for writing what is considered the world's first novel, The Tale of Genji. Shikibu was a novelist and a court attendant of Empress Akiko of Japan. Also known as Lady Murasaki, her real name is not known. Murasaki means violet and may have been taken from a character in The Tale of Genji. Early Life. Murasaki Shikibu was born a member of the cultured Fujiwara family of Japan.