What is Paulo Coelho's daily writing schedule?

During writing periods, Coelho describes an escape from the task, checking emails and social media before committing to writing. His normal schedule involves checking social communities and emails, followed by walking for meditation and connection to the present moment.

How does Paulo Coelho capture ideas for his writing?

Coelho believes in living life fully rather than constantly capturing ideas. He suggests that letting go of the need to note everything allows important ideas to remain and the book to guide the writer.

What software does Paulo Coelho use for writing?

Paulo Coelho primarily uses Microsoft Word for his writing. He also notes the importance of adapting writing techniques for different platforms like Twitter and blogs, beyond traditional book formats.

What are the most common mistakes new novelists make?

First-time novelists often procrastinate, lack self-confidence, and pay too much attention to critics. Coelho advises against deprecating published work to promote the next book and emphasizes focusing on storytelling over excessive stylistic innovation.

Does Paulo Coelho base his characters on real people?

Coelho states that characters are often based on his experiences, not necessarily direct replicas of real people. He finds that characters can guide the writing process, a concept he initially doubted but found to be true.

What does Paulo Coelho do when he feels stuck while writing?

When stuck, Coelho emphasizes discipline and the commitment to not leave the task until the way forward is found. He believes writing is about sharing honest experiences and being free to explore important issues, rather than following a formula.

Key Moments

Paulo Coelho Interview (Full Episode) | The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)

Tim Ferriss

Howto & Style3 min read42 min video

May 11, 2016|13,930 views|184|9

tim ferriss 4 hour workweek 4 hour body 4 hour chef forbes timothy ferriss entrepreneur author writer best-seller public speaker angel investor

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Paulo Coelho discusses his writing process, overcoming obstacles, and finding inspiration.

Key Insights

Coelho's writing process involves procrastination followed by intense, non-stop writing sessions.

He believes books often choose the writer, with ideas emerging organically rather than through forced capture.

Writers should focus on storytelling and connecting with readers emotionally, not just on stylistic innovation.

Overcoming self-doubt and ignoring critics are crucial for a writer's perseverance.

Simplicity and trusting the reader's imagination are key to effective writing.

Writing is about sharing one's soul and connecting with the human condition, not about displaying intellect.

THE WRITING RITUAL: PROCRASTINATION AND IMMERSION

Paulo Coelho describes a unique writing ritual that begins with intense procrastination, involving email checking and postponing the act of facing the blank page. This period of 'guilt' is essential, as it eventually leads to a spontaneous burst of writing. Once he starts, he enters a flow state, writing for hours non-stop, completing a book in about two weeks. This immersion is so consuming that he takes extensive notes at night, though he admits they are often useless the next day, highlighting the ephemeral nature of his day-to-day creative impulse.

CAPTURING IDEAS: THE BOOK DECIDES

Coelho's approach to capturing ideas is largely passive; he encourages living life fully rather than obsessively collecting ideas. He believes that the book itself often dictates when it's ready to be written, emerging from layers of potential concepts. The first sentence is the key, unlocking a thread that guides the entire narrative. This philosophy is exemplified by 'The Alchemist,' which he wrote without extensive research, connecting to the 'soul of the world' for inspiration, and 'Aleph,' which stemmed from a two-year period after a profound experience.

THE CRAFT OF STORYTELLING: SIMPLICITY AND EMOTION

When it comes to writing for different platforms, Coelho emphasizes the need to adapt technique. However, he stresses that for books, the core of storytelling—the archetypes of love, power, and journey—remains timeless. He advises against over-explaining, advocating for simplicity and trusting the reader's imagination to fill in the gaps. The goal is to connect emotionally, sharing the author's heart and soul, rather than demonstrating intellectual prowess or adhering to fashion-driven styles.

OVERCOMING WEAKNESSES: SELF-DOUBT AND CRITICS

Coelho identifies common mistakes first-time novelists make, including insecurity and undervaluing their published work. He champions perseverance, drawing from 'The Alchemist's' initial lack of success. Critically, he advises writers to ignore external critics and the desire to please peers or academia. The focus should be on sharing one's genuine self and story, not on seeking validation from those who might review or judge the work, underscoring the importance of an authentic voice.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND PERSONAL CONNECTION

Coelho's characters are often rooted in his own experiences, though not necessarily conscious ones. He explains that he doesn't rigidly develop characters but allows them to guide him during the writing process, a phenomenon he initially found unbelievable but later accepted as true. This organic development applies to most of his work, yet for books requiring literal accuracy, like 'The Pilgrimage' or 'Aleph,' he acknowledges a need for concrete experiences, but even then, research is kept minimal to avoid overloading the narrative.

FINDING MOTIVATION AND THE ESSENCE OF WRITING

When faced with creative stagnation, Coelho's primary strategy is discipline. He commits to sitting with the block until a way forward is found, whether it takes minutes or hours. He believes writing is fundamentally about sharing lived experiences and being honest, encouraging writers to explore various themes, even controversial ones like prostitution or madness, without adhering to formulas. The ultimate purpose of a book, for Coelho, is to foster connection and assure readers that they are not alone, much like any act of creation done with love.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Books

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Paulo Coelho states he doesn't adhere to strict deadlines, instead writing one book every two years. He describes a process of procrastination in the morning, followed by an intense, non-stop writing period once he begins.

Topics

Learning & Education Mindset & Self-Improvement Creativity & Media Writing Process Creative Writing Author Interviews Literary Inspiration Storytelling Techniques Novel Writing Tips

Mentioned in this video

Books

Alice in Wonderland

A classic children's novel by Lewis Carroll. It is referenced for its quote about the structure of storytelling.

Alex

A book by Paulo Coelho discussed as being close in theme and story arc (travel/journey) to The Alchemist, based on a real experience.

The Pilgrimage

Paulo Coelho's first book, discussed as an example of writing based on conscious experience and as a work that required perseverance after initial low sales.

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho's seminal work, used as an example for developing characters from personal experience and understanding story archetypes. It's also mentioned as having faced initial publishing struggles.

Adultery

Paulo Coelho's most recent book mentioned at the time of the interview. It is one of his works of near universal appeal.

Companies

MeUndies

A company selling comfortable underwear made from micro modal, offering various styles including lounge pants. Tim Ferriss recommends them for their comfort and quality.

Facebook

Mentioned as a platform where Paulo Coelho has a fan page (facebook.com/paulocoelho) and where he has a large following.

Twitter

Mentioned as a social media platform where Paulo Coelho has a presence and a large number of followers.

Apple

Mentioned as a company where technologists who lead Wealthfront previously worked.

Wealthfront

An investing service led by technologists that offers automated investment strategies like tax loss harvesting and rebalancing. Tim Ferriss highlights its accessibility and low cost, though he is not yet a user due to SEC regulations.

People

Paulo Coelho

Internationally acclaimed author whose works have been translated into over 70 languages. He is known for books like 'The Alchemist' and 'Adultery'.

Tim Ferriss

Host of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast, conducting the interview with Paulo Coelho and discussing his own experiences and projects.

Software & Apps

Five Bullet Friday

Tim Ferriss's weekly email newsletter that shares interesting discoveries, articles, and gadgets. He encourages listeners to subscribe.