2-3 got sooo religious about it but I forgot their names. Here 3 spurious categories, I’m sorry:

1) Known authors whose works are transferred to – and/or directly created for – the web.
Paulo Coelho, a great example. Of course now he’s terribly rich but he started writing first on Facebook, and later printed the result; he also spread his printed books via p2p file sharing, pirated his own books on *Pirate Coelho*, was thus caught by Jane Friedman, head of HarperCollins, then he asked readers to translate his books (copywriting going to translators): one Russian translation sold millions of copies, I think. More info *here*.

2) web stuff later printed. Banal: blogs etc. can become books, we all know. But, in between:

3) the self-publishing (on both web and print) by known and unknown poets, novelists, journalists etc.
*Stephen Clarke’s* (and his A Year In The Merde) case is an adorable example. And his book, despite its subtle … malice towards the French (I lack words), made me roll on the floor laughing.

I suspect your journey resembles that of many bloggers. I can’t help but note that “WordPress” is meant to remind us of Gutenberg’s printing press. As in: We each have what only a few people once had. We are each author and publisher in one now.

What a great thing this is about the modern world.

I understand this torment and people desiring to write books – I had creative ambitions all my life! But writing books, it hasn’t come to my mind (unless an offer arrives I can’t refuse, which will not, I’m seasoned enough to know.)

So my book ‘is’ my blog. Its topic “a man-of-the-street’s (of Rome) take on Roman-ness”.

My ambition and torment is the quality of my research, more than one chapter (or post) being better or worse [not every chapter in a book can be good, Andreas]

Which is no big deal so far, this quality of mine, but I’ll make it better. I am very determined. What people think of it counts of course, but my personal expectations (and severity) count much more (unfortunately – I am never satisfied.)

[btw guys, did you know some famous authors now write only for the Web?]

As for a public, I have blog buds with millions of hits (*Nita*, for example) while I have reached 200,000 in a little more than 2 years – which means at least 50,000 people have read my ‘online book’. More than I had ever expected, so I am glad of my public and I especially love the discussions & friendships that arise with time.

Ok, am I sincere? Don’t I care about becoming a known author? I think I don’t, and the reason I’m sure is THIS.

My life dream was not that of becoming a writer. My life dream was that of becoming a musician. And since I have failed, a writer is not that important to me.

A dilettante philosopher and historian instead much more, thanks to people who helped me find new motives.

______

Last time I talk about myself, promise Andreas. Next time Syracuse, and following a hero thing I hope can be of help. I read many of your posts on heroes.

Ciao,
ciao,
miao,
maramao.

I spent too much time working and reworking my language and then began to wonder about my ability to write, to think, to be.

Your post comforted me.