Is it true that you wrote The Alchemist in two weeks?
Yes. And, in general, all my books are written over a period of two to four weeks. But the conception of a book takes at least two years, and the revision approximately another four months.
9 Responses to “Today’s Question by Jorge”
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You are the bee, my dear Paulo Coelho, who collects nectar from the flowers of God's garden and makes honey: your books and words.
Love,
Thelma
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Hi Paulo,
It was quite enlightening to hear you say that it only took two weeks to write a book! I was once told by a literary agent that I was naive to think I could write a book in two weeks. (Even though he wanted to read the full manuscript!) What I don’t think he realised was the book had been 5 years in the making! Recorded thoughts, illuminations and personal growth experiences and not to mention the 2 years masters degree in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology to try and understand my spiritual experiences. But when it was time to write I became the book and the book became me, I lived and breathed it for two weeks working sometimes 14 hours a day. When it was time to be birthed it had to burst forth. I think this is the nearest experience I have had to what athletes call ‘being in the zone’. It just comes freely, you loose all sense of time (I even forgot it was my birthday)and you feel so alive and energised. So thank you for sharing that, maybe I’m not that naieve after all. Beverley
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How ironic that the conception and birth of a child is the opposite: conception can take only a second while birth (labor and delivery) can take much longer.
I saw a video clip of Paulo receiving the first copy of one of his finished manuscripts. The moment caught on video was powerful to watch, but I’m sure there are no words to describe the feeling.
To hold that which you first conceived on the inside. Euphoria
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Hi i have read the Alchemist so many times but the best i love is THE Zahir.Lovely books treasures really.But just two weeks —–Amazing.Yet when you read The Alchemist you feel that i knew all this all along.Its like opening your soul i feel there is more between the lines than on the pages.Love YOU
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I understand,because happened to me to read over 20 books,and to start to write about some issue ,that might take some weeks.The work would not show the research behind it,or ,only a very expert prson in that field will notice the effort.Still,I am amazed,didnt know that aspect.But I think it contains part of your life time experiences,as well as you knowledge in so many fields.I read that you are sort of Master in Alchemy.Is true?In the book the hints are so vague.Only in great lines.But maybe better that way,so more people have access to its meaning.Bye
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It takes a lot to reach a little secret of life, and few weeks to share it with us! But it’s rare to reach the heart of so many readers, and introduce them to the paths of the unlimited research of God. But you do it everyday with you books and you blog, and so I thank you for that!
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http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=n19dejb5dj0
The flight of the ..bumblebee!
Love,
Thelma
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You are the bee, my dear Paulo Coelho, who collects nectar from the flowers of God’s garden and makes honey: your books and words.
Love,
Thelma
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That’s so amazing. Wonderful. Two weeks for the Alchemist!!!Thanks Jorge for making this known to all of us. Wow!
Sheela
India
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