Lessons In Writing ‘Life of Pi’ Teaches Us – Miss Write

So this is my last blog for two weeks as I’m off to volunteering the internet-free grasslands of South Africa. It had better be a good post this week!

I saw the film adaptation of ‘Life of Pi‘ last week. I was a little apprehensive (not least because Ang Lee’s ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ wasn’t my cup of tea), as the book made quite an impression on me when I read it last year. Would the film stand up to the Hollywood test?

Yes, it did. It was just like the book and the CGI was incredible. But this is not a film review – did one of those much too recently. So today, I ask you to consider what ‘Life of Pi’ teaches us about writing. 

You know the old phrase “the truth is stranger than fiction…” ‘Life of Pi’ gives encourages us to go places with our stories, use your artistic license, but don’t go too far – unless, of course, it’s a complete fantasy world you are creating.  

“‘So tell me, since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which story do you prefer? Which is the better story, the story with animals or the story without animals?’ Mr. Okamoto: ‘That’s an interesting question?’ Mr. Chiba: ‘The story with animals.’ Mr. Okamoto: ‘Yes. The story with animals is the better story.’ Pi Patel: ‘Thank you. And so it goes with God.'”

Chapter 99, page 317

Feeling overwhelmed with rejection letters? Keep going. As a writer, you can’t quit. If you really want to have something published, you won’t unless you try. Everyone loves an underdog. Keep at it. You’ll get there.

When Pi loses all his supplies in the storm when his make-shift raft is destroyed, he’s lost almost everything. 

How does this relate to writers? Well, there are several ways. 

Literal: Do not forget to back up your work. If your laptop dies, you’ll be stuck. 

Actual writing reflection: Try other things – don’t just work on your novel. There are other ways to make money, to write, and to grow your mind and imagination. Also, try new outlets for your writing. So what if one magazine didn’t like your creations? Try somewhere new. This is especially pertinent in this economic age where publications are closing all the time. 

Don’t be afraid to name your characters unusual or made-up names. Even better if you can explain how they got their name. 

Were they conceived in the town they were named after?

Was it the heroine’s name in their mum’s favourite book?

Did the midwife help in childbirth so much so that the parents named their baby after her?

Let your imagination flourish!

When Piscine re-brands himself as ‘Pi’, he’s building a personal brand, re-inventing himself. Sure, writers don’t need re-branding to stop school bullies, but thinking about how you come across as a writer is an essential consideration. 

Try using standard images for when you post about your books (e.g. cover photo), try linking your Facebook, Twitter, website with the same header image, and think about your appearance when you do private or public events. 

I don’t enjoy reading (auto)biographies very often, but if you find the right person with a good story, they can be stunning. Pi’s 200 odd days at sea with a tiger is way up there in terms of fascinating. 

Do you have any autobiographies you would recommend? Or are you working on a similar story just now? 

Keep up the writing. If you believe in yourself and your talent, you will achieve something. I am sure the greatest writers among us did not expect fame and fortune, as much as they would have wished for it. 

No written word makes it to publishing without courage and endurance from the writer. 

“As an aside, story of sole survivor, Mr. Piscine Molitor Patel, Indian citizen, is an astounding story of courage and endurance in the face of extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances.” 

Final paragraph from ‘Life of Pi’. 

Interlinking genres in your writing is also ok, so why not add some crime to your romance, or some horror to your historical novel? Spice it up, challenge the boundaries of your story. What new twists to the plot and new characters might it lead to?

So what do you think? Did the ‘Life of Pi’ inspire your writing in anyway?

I’m leaving you for two weeks while I’m on holiday, volunteering in Krueger National Park, South Africa for an environmental charity.

Stay safe, keep writing. See you at the end of the month!

Lou x

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