Paulo Coelho was born on August 24th 1947 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
At age 17 he announced his intention to be a writer. It was a decision bitterly opposed by his parents, partly because Brazil at that time was under a military junta that persecuted writers and intellectuals.
Coelho's rebellious behaviour led his parents to have him confined to a mental hospital in Rio de Janeiro where he received shock treatment. He escaped - and was returned - three times.
With the arrival of the 1960's Coelho threw himself energetically into the counterculture of drugs and rock-and-roll.
In his 20's he fulfilled his ambition to be a writer and worked as a playwright, a theatre director, a journalist, and a song-writer for Brazilian pop music stars such as Elis Regina and Raul Seixas.
In 1974, says Coelho "my life collapsed".
That year he was arrested three times, the first time as an innocent bystander at a bank robbery, the second time for speaking out against the establishment at a pop concert. After being released by the police he was arrested a third time by paramilitaries who tortured him for a week.
In the late 1970's his life was back on track again and he became artistic director for CBS in Brazil.
But in 1979 he was suddenly sacked without explanation and he spent the next 2 years knocking on doors trying to get back into the music industry.
In 1981 he decided to try his luck in Europe and there met a member of an obscure Catholic Sect that studies the language of symbols: RAM or Regnus Agnus Mundi. He progressed within the sect and eventually became a Magus.
In 1986, on instructions from his mentor within RAM, Coelho undertook the pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostella in Spain.
The following year he published The Pilgrimage, an account of his experiences on the 'Road of Santiago'.
In 1988 he wrote the book that would make him an international celebrity, The Alchemist, a story about following one's destiny and being open to the universe of signs and symbols.
The Alchemist became an instant best-seller and has since sold over 11 million copies worldwide.
Coelho's eight novels have sold over 37 million copies in 56 languages and have been published in 140 countries.
In 1998 the French magazine 'Lire' listed Coelho as the second best-selling author worldwide.
Paulo Coelho has won over 15 international awards for his writing including the prized French award, the Insignia of Arts and Letters (1996). Critics have praised his writing for its "symbolic language that does not speak to our brains, but to our hearts".
In 1998 Paulo Coelho was received by the Pope in the Vatican.
He has been appointed to the United Nations as Special Advisor for Spiritual Convergences and International Dialogues.
Coelho's view on happiness: "The most mediocre thing in the world. I'd rather go by the idea of joy."
(c) 2002 by Michael Southon
------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Southon has been writing for the Internet for over 3
years. He has shown hundreds of webmasters how to use this
simple technique to build a successful online business. Click
here to find out more: http://ezine-writer.com/
------------------------------------------------------------
It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide.... Read More
I'm willing to bet that quite a number of you... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
When I first started tracking the information preferences of people... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
What does one do as a writer who loves writing... Read More
Think you can't write a book that will sell? You... Read More
How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Many of us dream of writing a book. Why not.... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
Rudolph Flesch, a pioneering advocate of readability, put great stock... Read More
Congratulations on writing your first book. That is quite an... Read More
More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More
The urge to write fiction seems God given for some,... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business... Read More
If you haven't realized the success you wanted last year,... Read More
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
Our Freelance Writing Needs DefinedWe must make freelance niche types... Read More
Writing for the web is very different from writing for... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop Writing... Read More
Most books aren't rejected because the stories are "bad." They're... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?For a theme to work and the... Read More
PASSED, PASTPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means... Read More
Or do you?Writers write. You shouldn't wait around for inspiration... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?When an idea comes to us for... Read More
To write books for readers at an elementary reading level... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
It's important to have a space set aside in your... Read More
Part 1 of this article discussed the experience you need... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Whichever theme you choose, all the elements,... Read More
Why should you consider creating a memoir of your personal... Read More
Every writer expends a great deal of creative energy developing... Read More
Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
If you want to be a writer, you must write... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
When a writer is working on their next literary masterpiece... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to... Read More
Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More
Dream that your book can be a number one best... Read More
Writing |