When I was in the university, studying creative writing, both as an undergrad and in an MFA program, the word “internet” was almost taboo. All of my teachers were published writers, some quite well known, but they were almost all quite resistant to the idea that the internet might have any role to play in the future of writing and publishing, particularly in the field of prose. The internet, in their eyes, was viewed, if anything, more as this great monster of which they were all deeply terrified, lest it steal their livelihood away.

I had a difficult time, in some ways, in this elitist, academic world where the field of writing is so clearly delineated by numerous boundaries. I was taught: “A REAL writer is this, and not that. A REAL book should look like this, not that. To be published is to appear in this format, and not that.” One of the things I struggled with the most is that it is so very difficult for me, as a writer, to divorce words from images. To me, there is nothing more interesting than the interplay between the two – the unforeseen “third meaning” frequently created in the skillful juxtaposition of word and image.

I was lucky in that my advisor, the department chair, allowed me to produce a creative thesis that included images. In other words, I created a book-length work that included both written word and visual image. For me, that was a thrill! An unimaginable triumph. Even if it never ever got published, even if it was, as I was warned by many, “totally un-publishable,” it gave me such joy to produce it. It was the work I wanted to create, I did it, and it made me happy.

In many ways, this is what draws me toward the internet even now: the potential of the impact hidden in the seam between word and image (and even sound). There is nothing like it!

At any rate, I just wanted to say that I admire you so much for taking on the critics and challenging those who wanted to stop you from putting yourself out there on the internet, as a writer. I am interested in your writing – that is, I enjoy it, as a reader – but being a writer myself, the thing that interests me the most is the way that you are conducting yourself as a writer: putting yourself out there in public view, offering your words for free, engaging in a constant dialogue with your readers. This is something new, what you are doing. It is something worth paying attention to. I return to this site, again and again, because I am learning something here, on more levels than one.

Several times, I’ve posted here responses that included poems or autobiographical accounts I wrote or have written about in the past. Those poems and accounts have never been published, and a year ago I never would have even considered posting them on the internet. So strong in my mind was that warning voice of my university professors: NEVER POST YOUR WORK ON THE INTERNET: IT WILL BE STOLEN. First of all, to think that anyone would want to “steal” my work, is rather arrogant, I think. Secondly, what does that mean – “to steal.” Does that mean that they are going to copy it and share it with others? If so, what a compliment! If I write something and post it on the internet, and someone else reads it – if, via the internet, I am communicating with other human beings – isn’t that what writing and the urge to be a writer is all about?

Thanks, Paulo Coelho, for making yourself a model for all writers, if not for the writers of the present (because they are as yet too fearful of the internet or blind to its potential), then certainly for the writers of the future.

Sincerely,
Savita Vega