Paulo Coelho
“There are two types of writers: those who make you think and those who make you dream” says Brian Aldiss, who made me dream for such a long time with his science-fiction books. In principle I believe that every human being on this planet has at least one good story to tell his neighbor. What follows are my reflections on some important items in the process of creating a text:
Above all else, the writer has to be a good reader. The kind that sticks to academic texts and does not read what others write (and here I’m not just talking about books but also blogs, newspaper columns and so on) will never know his own qualities and defects.
So, before starting anything, look for people who are interested in sharing their experience through words. I’m not saying: “look for other writers”. What I say is: find people with different skills, because writing is no different from any other activity that is done with enthusiasm.
Your allies will not necessarily be those that everyone looks on with admiration and says: “there’s nobody better”. It’s very much the opposite: it’s people who are not afraid of making mistakes, and yet they do make mistakes. That is why their work is not always recognized. But that’s the type of people who change the world, and after many mistakes they manage to get something right that will make all the difference in their community.
These are people who cannot sit around waiting for things to happen before they decide on the best way to narrate them: they decide as they act, even knowing that this can be very risky.
Living close to these people is important for writers, because they need to understand that before putting anything down on paper, they should be free enough to change direction as their imagination wanders. When a sentence comes to an end, the writer should tell himself: “while I was writing I traveled a long road. Now I can finish this paragraph in the full awareness that I have risked enough and given the best of myself.”
The best allies are those who don’t think like the others. That’s why, while you are looking for your companions, trust your intuition and don’t pay any attention to others’ remarks. People always judge others using the model of their own limitations – and at times the opinion of the community is full of prejudices and fears.
Join those who have never said: “it’s finished, I have to stop here”. Because just as winter is followed by spring, nothing comes to an end: after reaching your objective, you have to start again, always using all that you have learnt on the way.
Join those who sing, tell stories, enjoy life and have happiness in their eyes. Because happiness is contagious and always manages to keep people from being paralyzed by depression, loneliness and troubles.
And tell your story, even if it’s only for your family to read.
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…Today I updated my thoughts :-),
elaborated in words they picture this,
I came to think of how children hate the taste of bitter
and as we grow older we start to cultivate bitterness.
Extraordinary
being about finding the extra ‘in’ the ordinary.
Being nuts about
being about believing, being challanged by, finding the
nuts within the nutshell.
The pep of the pip in the pit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBiPQiz780 (video with an interesting note) …
Lots of love,
Vicky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKBiPQiz780
I enjoy reading your posts Vicky, and agree with your comments about the taste of bitter. Children do not know bitter, you are right. Whatever is, is, and might well be a challenge to overcome…but nothing is impossible! Oh gosh I hope I will never know that ending to my own life either. Off now, to watch the video you shared.
Used to think too, of being a nut…hoping that whomever decided to become a friend, was not allergic to nuts ; )
Thank you again, Love, Jane : ) xo
Dear Paulo,
I think that we are all writers. If we think and love, we will write our own storys in our hearts without pencils or other write utensils. I hope that God sees it also like this way! Nevertheless is Paulo Coelho a very interesting writer who wants to write very busily his own storys also with writing utensils!
We are all writers!
This goes straight to my heart! Thank you so much!!
Thank you for the motivation and inspiration.! ;-)
Bonjour,merci pour cette minute que j’ai décidé de prendre aujourd’hui. Merci M.Coelho pour votre texte. Désolée pour mon commentaire en français sans savoir si vous savez le lire mais mon emploi du temps me dicte une minute pas plus! J’ai lu la plus part de vos livres ( traduits en français).Votre Blog est la récompense d’une soirée triste à fureter sur le net.Je ne suis pas une écrivaine et ne le deviendrai pas, j’ai une belle carrière de designer de costume de théâtre.Mais je dois dire que j’ai toujours été captivée par votre travail , à vous les écrivains.
Thank you!
C’est beau ce que tu fais Suzanne.Merci.Je souris :)
Dear Paulo, when i read your article i felt like i have to reply with something i’m one of your deeply admirers and glad to be. i initiated a blog recently despite i have no any experinces in writting except status of course! put i’ve been influnced by your books and the you made me thinks differntly than before, and that why i felt like i have to make my ideas come out in a blog.
thanks
Aliaa
This really helps many writers and encourage them to share their ideas and stories. For that, thank you so much sir.
I am glad I chose to follow you on Twitter. I have shared this with my friends who also write from time to time, and they liked this a lot.
To be a good writer, you also have to be a good listener and reader…
Dear, Paulo, thank you so much for these words, they have just inspired me !
I started to write when I was 14. Now I’m 30 and I still write what I think about things that happened in life or try to write a story that came into my mind while I watched a movie or listen to a song.
But I don’t write blogs I write more poems, short texts or trying to write a novel… You have to take much time to research topics what you wanna write about.
Good post. ^^
i miss writing very much. since i starting working i have few time for myself to think and be lost with my imagination. Loved what you have wrote.
all the best,
Mariam
“There are two types of writers: those who make you think and those who make you dream”
or open our hearts …
Dear Paulo,
this is a comment full of enthusiasm, spontaneity, dreaming, intuition, openness for change and joy for life.
thanks :o)
it is indeed information that goes beyond “writing”.
I have never seen the closeness & similarity among all arts so clearly while reading it.
thank you very, very much.
this is funny …
coming back from germany and hassling for two weeks with internet withdrawal symptoms, I thought on my way back ….
“how could one convince paulo to write about writing & publishing :o)”
thanks, teacher :o)
hi guys, missed you all :o)
never mind ….
not convincing ….
this sounds too harsh.
but I wished it :o)
I apologize.
& thanks again.
-k
Thanks Paulo Coelho, I have terrible writing habits which causes my desire sometimes to wane. I fail at times, to realize that I am inspired by those around me and what I read and listen too. I find that many of your books speak to me individually, and your words inspire me as they do now in your blog. You are a great teacher, and I thank you.
Ohh Paulo Coelho /The Great of the Greatest/
Ii am writting a book now . just so you know :) i am 16 years old,but im inspired …they say it’s GOOOD ! :)
Keep on spreading your powerfull words that srike the earth and leaves a great Love Behind ! <3
thenn… keep you too writting
and one day… share your book with all of us!!!
“In the world of the mind everything is possible.. Althought I would like to share some thoughts, I’m the kind that prefer to share some heartbeats.”
Jones
Thanks for this inspirational thoughts on this sunday. Mr Coelho. Thanks for making my dream with all that I’ve reading of you hand (heart).
While reading this post I thought of Alexandra, who asked once for help, for writing. ;) Now she has the advices of a great professor on that. :D
I agree with all you wrote here Paulo, and I think that those would be great advices not only in writing but in everything in life.
To me you are a writer who makes me think a lot and your words awake my dreams up and the desire to make them true.
I see a lot of true in your words.
Love
Olta
Hi Olta,
Yes, I thought the same as you! I am not a writer, but I think the advice given by Paulo Coelho can be useful for us all in our everyday lives….Theresa
YES, I am feeling the same too! GRACIAS por todo… THANK YOU… FOR EBERYTHING!!!.. dear PAULO !!! xx
Wonderful advice, Paulo. Marvellous!
Thank you so much. You just don’t know how much it inspired me (:
Mwah! Mwah!
Liz
I am a ressimist by nature but these words can encourage whoever!
Generally speaking we surround ourselves with people who agree with us in every sense. I understand that some leaders used to seek out St. Martin of the Poor because he possessed knowledge of not so much what was nice to hear but what was of true value and wise.
I hope to be a thinker and I will seek out those who are looking for truth and can express what they think it is in writing books, through music or in the theatre.
I want a why and that will inspire me as to how.
Dear Paulo
A good story to tell. I have one and will write it one day. I don’t care if almost nobody reads it. And I want you to know this story only happened to me because you made me believe in magic with your books.
May God bless you always.
Much love
Adriana
-I Mate Flores when it comes to talk about I it is a deep feeling… today for example saying good bye it is hard. when a human show his rawness to life it make it harder. how hard it is to no show caring. Integrity ….when I look around I see all this people full of bored where they look like they forgot that they are humans they step in everyone without caring how sad it is…..when people forgot that they are the same as everyone else that there is nothing who make us different …how especial it is to remember who we are and value ourselves for how much we love… if there was a weigh-machine that they can measure our love for every human being how much it would it be? and who will be the bravest to the be the first one to get on top o this machine. Again today Im waiting with a smile on my face to see the light from this tunnel I in the meantime I keep walking …and walking with my face up and my big smile …always smiling one time one colleague she said what is wrong with you always happy and smiling I don’t get it? I answer back it is another day!!! and Im ready to enjoy it!. I notice that happiness bother other people especially when it comes from somebody that it always ready for a new day no matter what no matter how many miles I walk in this shoes or how many challenges a been through. and if I share about it they will not show care at old because they been caught by this disease call bored about life!!
Again, just like you said earlier we should read the Signs…This article was a sign for me, and for a friend who by the way is avoiding reading your blog as he does not want his crazy writings to come out! for that i will send him the link…
I do write, and i have sent you an email wondering if you would e able to help me write better, am sure you are too busy for that i will be sending you my writings any ways and when eve you get the time am sure you will help me out on it. And yes, It is so true that those who read will have a better writing, i noticed it on myself, onc ei got distracted away from reading IN GENERAL i ran out of Ideas,and vocab, as writing at the end of the day is an experience that would add to another or help creating another idea…
I do my writings, and i post them..i get some sarcasm but that too adds to what i write, as known in all types of art ” Beauty is not deined in a materialistic sense, it is defind n the effect it leaves in the soul of the viewer” so If my writings actually teased the sarcasm in someone else, that means it was gud enough to do that, and if it had the effect to put a smile,draw tears on someone else’s face it means it was gud enough to do so too, Yet all those efects should have their own effect reflected on the quality of my next or coming writing…Cheers to Coelho…
I like very much Paulo. Thanks for all you give us and soon I going to write the history from “The Sword Path” was a very interesating. Was a beautiful day when I meeting with Santiago Dream, Paul from Austria and Carolena Sabath. I cooking for they a Gallega´s meal.
Thank you very much for all. Thank you, thank you.
Very good Paul I wait for this. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Paulo.
I have too much to tell you. But you never answer me.
How can I tell what you told me to tell you?
You give me your word Paulo.
Thanks Paulo!
You are a great teacher.I lost my writing habbit when i began to work after medical graduation and then regular reading as well.I was had no time though i ever wished to continue.Sometimes i thought that i have many stories to tell..of mine and of the sobbing humanity around.Then i thought..o’ man! its’ common everywhere.Who will read or need it? My story is purely my own and don’t tell it to others.
But Paulo, you are a master who goes to pinch the soul.
Love you!
“Ich schrieb links,und wieder rechts.Ich kann schreiben nach jeder Richtung.”(Freytag Gustav)
I really do not know, but I love you and all that contributes to making you, you. Thank for the article, just what I needed to hear:)
I really enjoyed this article. It is true, as a reader I must be inspired to absorb. I am learning to fashion my writing with magnitism and motivation. Thank you.
i’m a dreamer and i dream of those that are and will be, i love a good story and good stories i love to tell, tell of yours and I’ll dream of it in the moment, i love my sunsets as i love my sunrise and they love me,i love life as a fat kid loves chocolate cake and the icing is the best part of life, I love my life as crappy as it might be actually i love it crappy cous when is not crappy i live it even more, WHAT DO U HAVE TO TELL ME???????
Dearest Paulo,
Because of your words, i have a bestseller in Egypt Now!!
Soon, i will send you your copy.
THANK YOU!!!!!
With all the love and respect,
Your Friend,
Ehab
“Follow your Dreams, Transform your LIFE”!!! P.C
I am egyptian too Ehab and just want to say Congratulations for ur book. I didn’t read it yet but sure I will soon. Wish u all the best
Dear Paulo, I totally agree with u and the part I like most is that we must join those who enjoy life and have happiness in their eyes. U r right, happiness is contagious and that is why I took a decision 2 years ago to be happy and anything or anyone that prevent me from doing this, I just simply go away from them without the least regret. I have done that after reading ur inspiring book ” The Alchemist”. So I saw that I must follow my personal calling and do what I really want not what others see right. After all, if I can’t be happy I won’t be able to make anyone around me happy.Thanks Paulo
Hey Paulo.
You really touch my heart and soul with your books. I feel understood and find myself between your lines. Would like to write too, but I think my life is not important enough to talk about, although I experienced a lot of things you did. I guess I will rather keep on reading your fabulous books and others should do too. Have a nice weekend! Love&Light
Kari
Thank you, Paulo.
This seems to be very good advice for writers.
When I read I like to DREAM and THINK.
I consider myself a storyteller more than a writer. I have a story I need to tell through the word, but I have no idea where to begin…..
Start writing your first sentence and the rest will come!
Writing, something too. But how about discipline? :D
Anyways good post. Makes me very sad because my real friends(we maked many mistakes, BUT together :D)are gone to the jobs across the border, but I found new ones, but we can meet only one time in two months or something like that.(writers too, and weird peoples too) :( Damn, old times! To silent, right now… the peoples named “nobody better then us”? Where?
And yes everyone have at least one good story(but i think much more then 10 – 20 :) )
I like writing, and for now I’m starting to disciplinate myself to make something worthfull.
In this minute I understanded something… i need more adventures.
Very encouraging reflections. I see myself as mainly a reader, and I am convinced I shall never come near writing anything as well as you do. I don’t believe writing is my mission in life, but ‘the office of readings’ is one of my missions. Perhaps, my own stories will go with me to the grave, as they do for most people. It doesn’t mean they didn’t happen. It means, stories unwritten, are more difficult to pass on & learn from. Many stories are only revealed long after a person has passed on to the next spheres. So I wouldn’t worry a fig about it :)
Love,
Heart
Thank you for these words Paulo!
Now I really am itching to write something!
refreshing the mind :) thanks
and the soul! :)
Thanks for your encouraging words!
Have a bright day!
Thank you!!!
Motivation!!! that is what we need, knowing that everyday is a new begining, so what we make mistakes, we learn from them and becoming better people and creating better lifes…everything is allowed, just try to make sure that you want hurt another soul (although this is sometimes not avoidable )
Someday I dream become a good writer. For now I write poems and I have some drafts of what i think a good story. But I’m sure it will really become a amazing story!
I’m not in a hurry, I’m learning how to write and how to use the details of the life wich surrounds me to make something beautiful. I have time. I believe in my dream, so I know I’m giving everything I could to that dream.
For now I learn, I read and I try.
Thank you for the words Paulo! always come when we most need them.
Thanks… very inspiring…an well reflected and said. ciao!
Thank you Mr.Paulo Coelho for every word you shared with us
, and really I appreciate that moment when my best friend
Tamim introduced me to your world .
Many of your books make me think AND dream. How will be the new book?
Already at school, we had to write something once a year. It had to be a minimum number of pages, and the teacher already noticed I was good at it. I got very good grades. Later, at Highschool, the requirements became more stringent, and I always made lots of style errors. This discouraged me to continue.
Except comics, I had read only a few books, but for the final exam, we had to place 12 books on our list. I especially liked ‘The Witch and the Archeologist’, by Hubert Lampo, it was ‘magic realism’.
Because I was a disaster in history (not only in history), I chose mainly historical novels, to be able to learn about the past anyway. The Knights of the Round Table, etc.
Because of my moderate grades, my parents wouldn’t let me study, and if I had wanted to, I had no idea what study to follow.
So I started working, and went mountaineering on holidays. When I came home, I made reports of the trips I had done.
In the year 2003 I started buying notebooks and writing about my experiences, thoughts and ideas. I have a technical job, but there was a period when I panicked if I couldn’t write down an important inspiration, even at work.
Before that, I left my comments on various objects, like my own training/climbing-wall, the shift report at work, loose pieces of paper, the cardboard sunscreen for the windscreen in my car.
I became interested into poetry. I started writing some myself. I always knew lots of song-lyrics, which are oftenly poetic too, even heavy-metal songs. This last genre has the image of being rude, but that’s not completely justified.
More recently, I took my notebook in my rucksack on my walks through the mountains. In snowy, freezy wintery conditions, I sometimes have to warm my pen with my hands, to thaw the ink. It also makes the notebook look old and used. It already tells a small story before it’s even been read.
It was only a short time ago that I started writing on blogs. A friend told me, it was a tough going through. And that was exactly the same what I felt writing it. The fear of making mistakes and being ridiculous obstructed me. Now, this is no problem anymore. I feel free to write what I want. I don’t have to sell books, I don’t need to be liked by everyone. I think this is important for creativity; to be able to think freely.
Last weeks, I have been reading ‘The Messenger’ of Kader Abdolah. He is an Iranian writer who has migrated to my country. He uses such typically simple, poetic expressions. Just like mr. Coelho, I can recommend him to everyone.
Profound indeed……simple things you write makes us all think. I had to share this with my friends at facebook and re-tweet it. Thanks for the inspiration.
I always wanted to write a book, started and ended it because too much doubt came up. The feeling that peope would laugh about me, what do friends and family say. and then I continue with all my doubts and enthusiasm and it is a strong inner war. currently I stopped and don’t know if I can continue or how I can continue since my original idea/vision of the text disappeared when I arrived on page 20 writing it. currently waiting for a clearer picture to show up, it all feels insecure. any advice?
thanks, alex.
I have been doing the same thing for years. Doubt, doubt, doubt. I have three manuscripts that I am sure will br laughed at. One has gone through so many revisions I can’t count and I still dod not think it is ready. However, as Paulo says, if you want to write at least write it for your family then see what happens. You never know! Good luck!
Among the two types of writer, I like the one who can make me think , but nice to meet the writer who not only make me think but also dream ! For the dream can inspire my dream ! And dream always is the resource of my writing , maybe my writing can’t make others think or dream, but at least it made me happy! However, it ‘s the writer’s lonely thing to write! It’s not easy to find the people who didn’t judge others with their model of limitions, maybe we can do it first! Not easy to find the companion who sing tell story have happiness in their eyes and enjoy life whether it Is nice or tough, but maybe from us on! I like this article ! It do make me think!
Tears in my eyes.
Open my Heart.
singing a song
learn and life.
Love and give.
and receive.
Thank you again.
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