Murakami’s advice to writers: just put in stuff you like
Image source: Paperbackgirl
I just listened to a recent Selected Shorts podcast, ‘The Strangeness of Everyday Life: Two by Murakami’ (22 Jan 2012). As I listened to the stories ‘Lederhosen’ and ‘Ice Man’, I couldn’t help but think of Paperbackgirl’s hilarious piechart of recurring Murakami themes. I noted indeed cats, bizarre dream sequences, dissociative females, preparing food … (Incidentally, the piechart went viral after being posted on Murakami’s own Facebook page - good to know that someone in his team has a sense of humour!)
Following the readings of Murakami’s short stories, an American author relays some anecdotes about Murakami the man. This author managed to forge a friendship of sorts with the distant and enigmatic Murakami after giving him a rare vintage vinyl jazz record, feeding Murakami’s obsession. In telling the story of his friendship with Murakami, the author recalls the only time Murakami has ever offered him writing advice. Murakami suggested, to aid the progress of a difficult novel, to put in anything one may like. Confused, the other writer asked Murakami to clarify. “Do you like this?” Murakami asked, indicating the curried bratwurst they were both eating. “Yes, I guess so”, replied the other. “Then put that in!” Murakami said.
Wonderful.
So I guess Murakami has a special personal penchant for all of the above captured in Paperbackgirl’s brilliant breakdown of his themes. Not entirely sure that Murakami’s advice is particularly helpful to us mere writing mortals …
