An Unserious look at the Serious

“Certain things in life simply have to be experienced -and never explained. Love is such a thing.” Paulo Coelho, the renowned Brazilian novelist who wrote The Alchemist.

Now, turn away from the page and try to spell Paulo’s last name. Trying to spell his name after just a glance is something you just have to experience. He has spent 3% of his lifetime spelling it for others.

Per Paulo ,”When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself.” That was the brief period in which he called himself John Smith.

Then, of course, you have the serious writers. That would be people like the Scottish writer Ali Smith. She said, “And they all lived happily ever after until they died.” Woody Allen was a little more melodious about that event. “It is impossible to experience your own death objectively and still carry a tune.”