Ask Paulo!

[Will]

As a high school English teacher, I get frequent student questions about the books we read. One common one I've had about The Alchemist is the time period in which it's set. I know there's a timelessness to the story, but is there a time frame in which you placed it? I've made assignments where the students use the events, names, and inventions mentioned in the book to take a guess.
Thank you,
"Mr. Plunkett"

[Kristi]

You seem to be a very wise human being. What experiences brought you to this point? Was it people you spent time with? Solitary pondering? Conversation? Observation?

[Daniela]

Dear Paulo Coelho:
You are awesome! You are my inspiration and I love your books..

I would like to ask you many questions, but I know that you have to deal with a lot of crazy fans like me asking a lot of questions, so I will just ask 2:



1st: A very simple question, I bet you've been asked this a thousand times before. What inspires you to write a book?

2nd: I guess it's not a real question... Do you speak Spanish?

I hope with all my heart that you answer!!

With love,
Daniela S, from Mexico.

[Hina]

Hi Paulo,

I read The Alchemist, and loved it... thanks for the experience. I'm an aspiring writer myself, and the simple, yet beautiful writing was an inspiration. I'm wondering how much research you had to do for this book since it covers such different places and cultures?
Thank you,
Hina

[Tata]

Dear Mr. Coelho,

You are my favorite author as every time I read your works, I feel like my soul is enriched and cleansed at the same time. I love how spirituality is a main factor in your writing, whether your story be about love, women, discovering one's self, death, or fame.

My 2 favorite works of yours are By The Rivera Piedra I Sat Down and Wept and The Zahir. What were your inspirations in writing these 2 phenomenal books?

May you never cease to inspire your readers.

Thank you for all your wonderful works of he-art.

May the good Lord continue to bless you.

Maria Carmen Lapus

[Nuha]

so ,, what is the the Wisdom of Creation ?
if I ask you to read something that i write will do ?
when you come to Egypt can you invite me for 5 minutes
,POSSIBLE OR THAT A DREAM ^_^ ?

[Rahul]

Dear Paulo:
I've read "Alchemist" at least 20 times, it's my favourite, and I hope to read it to my kids some day. You have written one very beautiful thought: "When you really want something, whole universe...". Do you really believe it to be true or was it just part of the story? If you do believe it, how did you get the inspiration to write it? or how did you learn it?

[Bindu]

Dear Paulo,
Why do memories of failed love affairs continue to haunt us? How does one find closure?

[Shahad]

when i read your book i found that you believe in something,but when i read another book i found that you believe in something else, so my question is: do you believe in all the things you said in your books?

[Shahad]

i've read most of your books and Veronica decide to die is my favorite , i wonder if one day you will come to Saudi Arabia ? i'm waiting for this day

[N]

I loved the book 'The Alchemist'

Question: In the book, there is an incident where the Shepard communicates with the Desert, Wind and the Sun(to become the wind). How did you think up the conversation of that bit?(inspiration, goal, inner meaning or anything)

[Dadras79]

Dear Paulo,

I recently read the "Alchemist" and I really enjoyed it. There is a line that says "...the meaning of love without ownership" Is this how you believe Love should work? and Why?

[Mohammad]

I'm so proud to have this chance and I just wanted to say I really loved The Alchemist

[Lauren]

I'm a high school student who is a HUGE fan of The Alchemist. After finishing the book, I was curious about your teenage years- how you dealt with adults telling you what to do and such.

Your book changed my life. Now I'm doing the things I love instead of "faking" a resume to get accepted into college!

[Loren]

Mr. Coelho, I want to first thank you for your writing. They are works of art. The book that stole my heart and changed my world was The Witch of Portobello. Athena enraptured me and pulled me into her world. Did you have a particular female persona you pulled from for her character?

[Lisa]

Hi Paulo, thank you for inspiring my teenage years and guiding my steps through those difficult times. Now that I am all grown up and trying to be a writer, I would like to ask you about your teenage years and how you found out your love for books and writing.
Thank you. Thank you.
Lisa

[Hla]

Hello Paulo,
My qeustions are:
1. What is your favorite novel and character you wrote?
2. Would you want to change any end of your novels? What novel will be?

Thank you very much

[Sam]

Have you read The Exposition of The Divine Principle?
Thank you!

[Kelli]

Hello Paulo!

I wanted to know how you develop your characters in your books? What are some techniques that you use to connect with them? I'd appreciate any advice! Thank you! I'm a big fan of your work!

-Kelli

[Janine]

I have so many, many questions for Paulo and am constantly seeking the answers in his books, writings and blogs. That said, I do have one question for you: what is it that you would like to share with us?

[Mohan]

Hello Paulo - your personal life has been awe inspiring. I work in an organization, predominantly with young professionals. The youth of today - get disillusioned very soon. What is your suggestion to keep them motivated, energetic, happy and hopeful. I am currently running a campaign at work based on the "Fish Philosophy" of the Pike Place Market at Seattle. I am aware that change of this large nature takes time. The youth are the future of tomorrow - and life skills are the most important skills they need. Education and occupational or vocational skills can only taken them to a point in life - but life skills will make them create harmony in the family and society they live in. What are your suggestions for people like me - who want to impart life skills to youth - when they work in organizations.

Lastly - thank you for being there Paulo - every day is bright thanks to your personal energy and words of wisdom. God Bless.

[Victor Alejandro]

In the book the alchemist what led you to write the book in that sort of way, and do you believe in that type of metaphisic of "if you want something badly the universe will help you get it."

[Navroz]

Hi Paulo,
Where in the world have you travelled, and what is your favourite city/country? Also if you are multi-lingual, what is your favourite language, and why?

[Nicholas]

The Alchemist moved me in a very specific way and I appreciate the experience of this movement in a profound way.

The circular nature of things in the story appeals to my sychronistic view the universe and its geometries. This story gave me a wonderful epiphany in this regard and I thank you.

I wonder about your own views on the idea of fate and choice. Do you think that events, such as those in the cyclical story of The Alchemist, occur whether we are aware of them or not? Do you think there are underlying metaphysical geometries (such as a loop that only exists because irrationality exists; e.g. a circle) related to how we experience and/or control the world?

Cheers,
Nick

[Dhanya]

Hi.. I am Dhanya and Brida is my favorite.
There is one question I want to ask you. How does the mistakes done by people affect the decisions they make?

[فرات]

how did you get the inspiration to write?

[Cristina]

Paulo, I have to start by saying how much I love your books. They are more than amazing. The Alchemist has been my favorite one; it has helped me a great deal.
I want to know, how did you realized writing was your passion? Why not keep doing what you were doing? Were not you afraid to change curses?
Thanks so much
:)

[Lvira]

Dear Paulo, your writings enlightened my soul... but every now and then i stumble upon my own doubts, how can i bravely say "Yes" to myself?

[Meghna]

Dear Mr. Coelho,
I have recently read the book 'The Alchemist'. I loved the book, and hope to read more books by you. My question is, What made you so spiritual? How do you write books which are spiritual and touch the soul? Was it a childhood experience or an adult enlightenment?

Thanking you,
Meggi

[Sarath]

Hi,

I have read some of your works and waiting eagerly for the releasing of the book in the Indian subcontinent. I have already ordered the book, The Manuscript Found in Accra.

My question is, how would you rate the other contemporary writers of your time, meaning not giving them stars, but just that how far you are influenced by your contemporary writers?

And do you think the real problem of the present world is spiritual decay? What do you think the solution of the problems like poverty, and other pressing problems of our time? Of course, I don't think that writers should have a solution to these problems, but just like how would you show your commitment to these social and political problems of our time as a writer?

Is it not an escapism talking about religious prosecutions happened centuries ago when most of the people in the contemporary society fight for food and other basic needs?

[Pearlii]

The Alchemist is one of the books that opened my eyes. Even after years of finishing it, when my friends ask for books they should read, it's still one of the first ones that I mention. Thank you, sir, for sharing that book with us. Thank you so much. :D

As for my question, I'm aspiring to be able to write and publish my own novels someday. I'm young and still gathering experiences from the world, but writing is providing me solace, providing me a way to open myself up, understand things around me better and use it to share thoughts that I think could help other people too. That's the main reason why I want to be a writer - to share to people. The trouble is, I'm from a country that doesn't have that big a reading population. People here don't read that much and I'm troubled that that will provide a limit to me someday. But I really do want to be a published writer when the time comes. What can you advice to someone with a situation like mine? Again, thank you so much, sir.

[J.L.]

Salutations Paulo!
I recognize one of your themes in your writing is the delicate web that interconnects all things and how our choices are like ripples. That being said, I saw pieces of that in "The winner stands alone" and yet it seemed like a darker piece of work. I am curious as to where you were mentally when you created that novel, as it is so much different than your others. I did however enjoy it!
Thank you kindly,
JL

[Y]

I read your books eleven minutes and the alchemist. You mentioned you had been diagnosed to have schizophrenia. Had you had bizarre delusion and hallucination as your symptoms? I am asking because I am a physician and curious about how you grew up and have built up an unusual writing phenomenon.

How true do you want to achieve in the scope and scheme of your stories to touch the human spirit?

[Rudy]

Dear Alchemist,

I am indebted to you for proving the ability of alchemy. Since then, I've been working on a book in which the main character becomes an alchemist. Prior to reading your book, events that occurred to the protagonist, had been happening to me. After reading The Alchemist, I realized I was no longer simply playing around with my imagination, that there were others who were experiencing events as I had been.

So,I have two questions:

1) Are you conscious of the micro-events that happen upon your will or predicting 'coincidences' prior to their happening)?

2) Do you believe that the universe will bend to the will of those who understand it, regardless of intention?

Thank you Paulo.

[Aayushi]

I have read your novel ' the alchemist' it does inspired me too like it did others.. I wanted to read another piece of work by you..,so i went on to read ' eleven minutes' it was interesting,,entertaining.

I jus wanna ask what was the real reason for writing it..and was that a true story..??

[Sid]

Hi
when you will come to India?

[Jen]

What music do you enjoy?
Your favorite meal?
Do you read before bed?

[Mariana]

Oi Paulo, I guess my biggest question is how/ what do I need to do in order to see or get to my Aleph?

Muito obrigada,
Mariana

[Absurditas]

Mr. Paulo... Would you come to Bandung - Indonesia?

[Ashley]

Dear Paulo,

For starters thank you for writing your books, they do what few authors encourage their readers to do--think. You're the Picasso of literature. Have you felt that as a writer you simply could not go on? Have you been inspired by Jorge Luis Borges? When interweaving different themes, stories, fragments, experiences and chaos into your stories what do you feel as a writer is more important to stay true to (I guess really saying what is YOUR purpose for writing)? Thank you for everything. Magically, or not, every time I pick up one of your books it supplies the lessons necessary to learn to get through my present life.
-With Love
Ashley

[Tikuli]

I have read The Witch of Portobello many times now and each time I feel a certain connection with Athena.She draws me to her again and I sometimes I feel she writes for me. (I am a writer and blogger)What message is she giving? Why do I feel she and I are one?

[vjn]

what was your omen, when you wrote the book "The Alchemist"?

[Sammy]

How much time did it take to write The Alchemist ?

[Caitlin]

Paulo, as an aspiring writer myself, I am curious to know if you ever felt doubt or self consciousness in your words when you were a beginner? If so, what did you have to do in order to overcome these insecurities?

You are a beautiful writer, an individual I look to for guidance in life and in thought. God bless.

[[deleted user]]

Dear Coelho,

You're books are so mesmerizing to me; I've read all that have been sold, the first being The Devil and Miss Prym. Another thing that mesmerizes me are your incidents with White Feathers.

I read an interview with you once regarding the feather and that was the first I ever heard of the event.

For this books case I was wondering if you had seen the feather, and if so when you did and how you did.

I find the whole incident rather intriguing.

Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to actually read this, along with everyone else's, inquires.

Nicole Pena

[Faris]

Dear paulo,
What made you choose the middle east as a location in the Alchemist?

Thank you.

[Nikita]

Hello Paulo :) The Alchemist is my favourite book of yours. I'm a writer for a magazine and I'd really like to know what you are reading currently? Also, what kind of books do you like reading?

[خالد]

what will you do if you got a THOUGHT , and you are in a POSITION that you do not have a pen or sheet or you are in a place that you can't write any thing ?

[Ivan]

Dear Paulo, first of all, thank you for your wonderful books - they inspire and really help me in life!

My question is: Is there anything you would like to change in your life? Maybe something you regret doing or not doing in the past? Thank you.

Ivan

[Dhruva]

My favourite book in the world would have to be The Alchemist. What was your inspiration to write such a novel that enchants me every time I read it?