A Filipino blogger, Jerome, collected a series of my comments on writing – and I found his page by chance.
On Confidence: You cannot sell your next book by underrating your book that was just published. Be proud of what you have.
On Trust: Trust your reader, don’t try to describe things. Give a hint and they will fulfill this hint with their own imagination.
On Expertise: You cannot take something out of nothing. When you write a book, use your experience.
On Critics: Writers want to please their peers, they want to be recognized. Forget about this. Who cares? You should care to share your soul and not to please other writers.
On Notetaking: If you want to capture ideas, you are lost. You are going to be detached from emotions and forget to live your life. You will be an observer and not a human being living his or her life. Forget taking notes, what important remains what is not important goes away.
On Research: If you overload your book with a lot of research, you are going to be very boring to yourself and to your reader. Books are not there to show how intelligent you are. Books are there to show your soul.
On Writing: I write the book that wants to be written. Behind the first sentence is a thread that takes you to the last.
On Style: Don’t try to innovate storytelling, tell a good story and it is magical. I see people trying to work so much in style, finding different ways to tell the same thing. It’s like fashion. Style is the dress, but the dress does not dictate what is inside the dress.
If you want to read what Jerome thinks about each one of the items above, CLICK HERE
Hey, like this post? Why not share it?
Tweet
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
alkmist
Hi Mr. Coehlo,
i am also a filipino and i am not a good writer but i know how to speak my few knowledge based on what life taught me everyday. you do not know how much you touch other people lives through your writing. we are thankful. thanks for sharing your gifts to us in the whole world.
Jing Juance
You are such an inspiration.. And you made my fellow kabayan Jerome happy for reading his blog.
You are a superstar but it seems it does not matter to you. For you its important that we are all your friends and you connect to us in whatever way possible. God bless you.
Its ones Storng Inner values and Inner Strength to follow and Practice them…. one can never derail from the right track . Thanks Paulo for showing us the right path . Its just commendable. I salute and bow my head with great respect for these virtues sir . I promise to always be on the path shown by you …. Your writing specially small stories are excellent …look forward to see it in a compiled form of a Book … You are a very Good Writer …sir … Good bye …
.STIV.( plan to shift from lane no 39 to 150 within next one year ).
You will be very happy to know I’ve experienced Aleph, NOT sexual. Just a moment in time when I felt fully loved by the universe and myself. Didn’t want the moment to go away. So unique and special. Alept is real. I don’t think you can understand it until you experience it. Thank you.
Paulo,
I’m new to your blog, but not to your work. So pleased that I found both. This blog is insightful, and so true. Thank you.
gGRACIAS POR LOS CONSEJOS MAS YO CREO QUE UN ANGEL POSEEN LOS ESCRITORES COMO TU QUE PUEDEN TRANSPORTARNOS A DIVERSOS LUGARES, DIVERSAS EPOCAS Y HASTA CONVERTIRNOS EN UNOS PERSONAJES QUE EN NUESTRA VIDA REAL ES DIFICIL IMAGINAR. SIN EMBARGO PARA AQUELLOS QUE QUIEREN CONVERTIRSEN EN ESCRITORES ES UNA AYUDA MUY GRANDE LAS QUE LES ESTAN INCULCANDO GRACIAS YO ME CONFORMO CON SEGUIRTE A TRAVES DE TUS LIBROS MARAVILLOSSOS QUE ME AYUDAN A VIVIR DE UNA MANERA DESCOMPLICADA Y MUY SANA
I have lost my energy that is why I am writing… Now it is up to God I have done my part I lift my hands and I feel nothing. Enough is enough!!
One of the greatest medieval scholars, writers and enlighteners of the Slavs, St Clement of Ohrid said: It is better to write 5 words understandable then 1000 words not understandable.
Yesterday during a shuttle ride from LAX to Hertz, I encountered an angel from Richmond, VA who introduced me to your book, “The Alchemist”. Our conversation was as long as the ride. It could have lasted forever, but was only too short. Her bright blue eyes, radiant smile and blond hair… hmmm.
There are only a few times in life when a chance encounter can knock the feet right out from under you. I thank God for allowing them to happen. My only regret is that I said goodbye to this one instead of asking for her company.
After dinner, I walked down Sunset Blvd, wandered into a small bookstore and purchased your book. I’m on page 39 and feel the irony.
beautiful note. Thanks
I liked them. Thanks Paulo…love Avantika :)
sir, your words are truely inspiring…
would like to thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts.
Dear Sir,
Please do visit the Philippines! Please! Please! Please! We’ll love to have you here. I really want to see you personally and I’m sure thousands of Filipinos do, too. It would be really nice to meet the one who drastically changed the way you see and live your life. I’ll be waiting for you, Sir. Thank you for everything. You’re such an inspiration.
I forgot to add i started with my first story…. Zaheer is the ‘one on ‘ inspiring force behind…
I even didnt have the courage to come forward n say ‘ yes ‘ i can .Your write up and further special note on it has inspired me so much that i have already given a kick start to my first step of publishing . I have sent one of my stories to a local journal. I am so excited thai i dont have words to thank you Paulo sir. Though I still have doubts that i am good enough to get a chance, but the words of appreciation…done by your reader ….for you have been the driving force for me .Actualy its when i see people writing in your Blog in such beautiful ways ,with perfect ryming,with depth in each and every word,at times topsy turvy ways of expressing themselves. Sometimes i find a tug of war or sort of poetic debate amongst them i am not sure whether there are three or four ….such instances i was confused …..but one of them is excellent……ie…Paulo sir… i can find you in your each and every word….. …in such times i find myself very small and think ….Paulo its not only you …you have many genius followers too… I envy their writing skills… Thats when i feel i should take some more time and learn something from …you sir….suggestion anticipated ….sir…
Thank you very much for your valuable advices!
hello sir
i a aspiring writing and want to write my own books like you do,
i would be obliged if i get some tips on my writing skills from you.
thank you
I smiled when I read this: I write the book that wants to be written. Behind the first sentence is a thread that takes you to the last.
:)
These are good tips that I even practice it in coding too. The kind of text that nobody care to read, for coders geek only.
at your service with the decoding ha ha ah :)
Dear Senor Paulo,
Upon reading this entry, only one thing I hope and wish for is for you to finally come and visit the Philippines. You have touched so many lives through your writing. Many have been inspired to go through life’s journey with the guidance of your wisdom which you deeply convey through your books.
You are truly an inspiration.
The caress….The purity in your thoughts… The support to aspiring writers… The simple but effective way you put the things in to your words has fired up my instincts….to bring my work in public…as it is … Raw….naked…and direct from my heart to the hearts of my readers… Thanks for the inspiration… As always again i repeat…Paulo you know the magic….the magic to change the world ….world of many…
This is not right. Paulo can not change the world. He can not change people. This is the task that everyone has itself. And there is no need for a Paulo. Which does not mean that is unnecessary. He is a role model. He shows us a way. Others do the same. They are perhaps not so well known. Inspiration is not imitation, by the way. Paulo shares HIS way through life with us, we are able to read his thoughts, his heart and his soul. We see his victories and mistakes. And therefore i love him. Which does not mean that one goes the same way, that is not possible. Paulo stands in a long tradition of writers. He has not invented writing. He is not an island, and also influenced by writers. Just as he influenced writers. It’s sharing. This has nothing to do with the sale of books. The tips I read here, are nothing new. And if you start to go public, then start with your name. You can no longer work under a pseudonym. It is not possible in today’s world. But that’s just an opinion. Nice that you write!
I wish you a wonderful day
Once its Soul sharing … Its neverending as Souls is im mortal…its the dress (body) the soul keeps on changing…..paulo your and each and every word gives me immense pleasure …inspiration and strength to move ahead in my ‘ new beginings ‘…..
Thank you, Paulo. I haven’t been writing for a long time now, mainly because I feel that I lack “style” (and maybe along with the fear of confronting my present reality/ies). I know I have good stories to tell, but these fears seem to cripple me from going back to writing. Thanks for this post.
I am from the Philippines and I love your books, Paulo! They inspire to think, reflect and live life to the fullest. Thank you as well for featuring a Filipino blogger.
Antes de quaisquer regras ao escrever um livro,
o importante é o se despojar de medos!
todos eles!
entregar-se ao desconhecido e se permitir entrar em um ambito, que apenas sua alma no momento tem a permissão de entrar…..e tudo o mais acontecerá…..
I’m really bad with the first one, “On Confidence: You cannot sell your next book by underrating your book that was just published. Be proud of what you have.” Thing is, I self-published, and at first I was in awe of having put 80,000 word to paper, not to mention, I missed my characters when I final said, “the end”, they had become a part of my life and kind of took over on me… I find myself apologizing for the story instead of admitting I like it, and am always to quick to say, “This was my first book, they’ll get better from here.”
I’m reading “The Zahir” right now. I love your description, of how, with the best intentions, you still repeat the same pattern and don’t get to you writing until later in the day.
And I’m curious Paulo, how do you feel about finding your “comments on writing”… by chance, on someone else’s Blog? Flattered? Annoyed?
Thanks again for a great posting… even if it’s not yours… sort of.
Genevieve
Paulo, what you said, in general, is right. Only I want to discuss two points in which I like to add something: Research: it could be important for the writer by knowing better the subject, and consequently helping him handling the plot; but not to be reflected in his writing( the book).
Style: I agree with you. However I would say that the best style is not the way the writer adorn his writing, but the way he expresses himself.
You are a great writer, and what ever you say has to be heard.
despues d estos consejos espero q sea usted el primero en leer mi libro O:-)
žmogus svarbiau už suknelę, stilių (gali suskurti nerealiai kitokį). Tik žmogus yra kitoks (visi žmonės skirtingi).
<3
Saved to the hard-drive, but I have to disagree on the last point. Anyone can wear a dress, but it takes a master to design the dress, a master tailor to read the designs and sew it together, & a master sales man to sell the dress, because there is probably a crazy price tag on the crazy dress!
For me : those sentences touch me..
“On Critics: Writers want to please their peers, they want to be recognized. Forget about this. Who cares? You should care to share your soul and not to please other writers.”
—Recognition will be acquired as soon as the book touches hearts.
He will fill the reader with emotion, if it is written with the emotion of the author. It is the sharing of souls that drives success.
” On Research: If you overload your book with a lot of research, you are going to be very boring to yourself and to your reader. Books are not there to show how intelligent you are. Books are there to show your soul.”
— Again, A book contains some of the soul of its author.
This is when he lays his heart bare, frankly, that it triggers in the heart of the reader, this intimate feel to share a bit of life experience.
It is with his blood he writes, and the reader feel as such.
This, again, is a story of sharing souls.
“On Writing: I write the book that wants to be written. Behind the first sentence is a thread that takes you to the last.”
—This is the book which applies to the author, and the wire runs from the first word to the last point.
With one caveat, that all who have tried to write are familiar with.
We must have the talent, imagination, and sense of the word … And this is not given to everyone
This is where your talent is, dear Paulo,
able to share your soul with us
and to dress of your talent.
Thank you for all that
and long life to your soul sharing.
M christine G
I like the Trust advice. I used to try and describe things from head to toe for a good visual, but the reader can figure it out. A hint is just fine in most cases. Good stuff.
It’s like fashion. Style is the dress, but the dress does not dictate what is inside the dress.
Cara que lições viu? Eu sempre procurei escrever o mais simples possível, mas tinha minhas dúvidas se eu realmente estaria fazendo certo, como escritor. Agora vendo o texto deste que é o maior escritor vivo do mundo, não tenho dúvidas, irei prosseguir na minha simplicidade.
Each of your thoughts about writing will be posted in my classroom this coming year. Hopefully, the students (adolescents) will better understand when I tell them, as you have stated, to “get naked in public” with their writing. Our spirits have had much more experience in their life/lives than we can ever begin to imagine. By not strangling them with the demands they perceive the /teacher wants, — and if the teacher will lighten up a little and let the student learn — many of these spirits can bring to light all kinds of vastly needed wisdom for mankind.
Just as a question, not a criticism. Why do not you ask your students what they think? They may come to the same conclusions as Paulo. If not you would have a great discussion. Would be interesting.
I wish you a wonderful day
Very inspiring, thank you Paulo and Jerome!
Estos consejos también son aplicables para la vida. Gracias.
Yes, your writing is very relaxed and full of your own personality. Effortless excellence. What I can’t understand is how you see the building of the story in your mind before you sit down to write the first sentence. Guess my line of thoughts, reasoning isn’t as developed as yours.. So you are the writer & i’m not!
not wrong and not right
millions of ways to write
Very good!
Good to have some ideas how to write …. thanks Paulo :-)
Thank you and Jerome! I actually agree. I’ve only two notes.
Notes: I write notes, permanently. They mostly have nothing to do with the book. I just enjoy writing. For me it is a diary. I think it’s exciting, and I do not worry about it.
Style: “Simple is the sister of talent.” I just can not remember who said it, sorry.
I wish you all a wonderful day
Just what I needed :) Thank you Jerome and Paulo!
Thank you, Paolo, for the inspiration you always give us. And thank you Jerome for sharing the inspiration. Marie-Christine, a very nice style!
Thank you Shinobu. I also like the style of your blog.
I guess one can change the post’s title to “Tips on Living” and it would be equally correct! Thanx Paulo…
I could be so lucky ! :)
On confi dence -I dance
On trust -if i don’t, I rust
On exper tise -I hope it is tease
On cri tics – the cry does the tick
On notetaking -naught take in
On research -I get lost at sea with the arch not too bad after all consideration taken
On writing- I follow my rite
On style- well I can always do the oink oink and follow my own style. as on display. :)
thank you Jerome for that insightful blog of yours,
and many thanks to you Paulo
Keep on smiling:)
With love
xxx
Marie-Christine
Thank God for Paulo Coelho. And thanks too, Jerome.
thank you very much sir Paulo for including my post. You’re truly my writing hero! Your books influence me deeply. Mabuhay! (long-lived!)
Enhorabuena.
Thank you =)
He is such a hero but more than that he is our friend..I feel that his purpose is to let everyone of us follow and fight for our dreams.
Thank you, Paulo. Hopefully I’ll start my story today. I’m kind of pregnant with it. :) I love your books, your blog, your thoughts. K
ow, Jerome must have been a follower since then.