# Paulo Coelho, Author of 'The Winner Stands Alone' (INTERVIEW) By Tisah Tucknott | Published 2009-07-27 | Updated 2009-08-12 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paulo-coelho-interview References: [paulocoelho](http://www.paulocoelho.com/engl/index.html) & [paulocoelhoblog](http://paulocoelhoblog.com/) Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is one of the most popular authors who has also worked as a theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. He wrote the The Alchemist, which became a top literary phenomena of the 20th century, as it came 6th place of world sales in 2003. His new book, “The Winner Stands Alone” is also predicted to become a top selling novel. **10 Questions With Paulo Coelho** **1. How do you reset yourself to become creative? Do you have any rituals?** Keeping the curiosity alive. **2. What is an example of a time where you have thrown away an existing idea to force yourself to find something new?** Every time I start [writing a book](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-book-writer) I am forcing the book that I want to write, not the book that is already written in my soul. So, after 50 or 60 pages, I feel that you cannot command the creative process - and I delete the pages. Of course, after many years, I know that this is going to happen (starting with a “false book,” deleting it, doing this over and over again till the “already written book” manifests itself) but I don’t have a short cut to avoid unnecessary work. I need to go through this painful process. **3. How did you get involved in writing and what motivates you to continue?** It was my dream. And writing is not like finishing a house - there is always a new book waiting. Till the day I die, I hope. **4. How do you define a trend?** Something that, when the mainstream media notices, is already in its last throes. **5. How do you define cool?** Simplicity. **6. Do you need a culture of innovation to create something that is cool?** No. You just need to understand that simplicity is the basis of everything. Innovation easily backfires. Take storytelling, for example: today there are so many new writing styles that writers tend to forget the [power of storytelling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-storyteller) - they are too much concentrated in innovation. But as Salomon wrote 3,000 years ago, “there is nothing new under the sun.” **7. What is the best way to create an infectious idea, product or service?** Passion; simple like that. **8. What is the key to innovation?** Never being satisfied. **9. What are the most important trends you see in the writing industry?** Free content. The industry is fighting against it, but it is a lost battle (fortunately). **10. What are your most important hobbies?** Walking two hours every day [along with] archery, reading, [and] [blogging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/talesso). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Interviews](https://www.trendhunter.com/interviews) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Simplicity as a Trend:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in industries to simplify products and services, focusing on the core value proposition. - **Free Content Trend:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the writing industry by embracing the concept of free content and exploring new business models. - **Curiosity-driven Innovation Trend:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation by fostering a culture of curiosity and exploration, allowing for the creation of novel ideas and solutions. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Writing Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in the writing industry through the development of new approaches to content creation, distribution, and monetization. - **Media Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in the media industry by rethinking traditional business models and embracing new forms of content consumption. - **Product Design Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in the product design industry by simplifying complex products and enhancing user experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Luxe Literary-Inspired Tote Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dior-book-tote.md) - [AI Co-Author Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fable-fiesta-20.md) - [Literature-Displaying Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/author-clock.md) - [AI Book Writing Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/book-ai-writer.md) - [AI Literary Conversation Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-literature1.md) - [Hotel-Backed Literary Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/union-hotel-x-giller-prize.md) - [AI Business Book Creators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-book-ai.md) - [Literary Wellness Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aweventurer.md) - [AI Publishing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inkitt.md)