Dear Mr.Martel,

I picked up your book quite awhile ago. Long before I realized something about myself. Your book inspired me. It made my mind fly miles above and endless glass-like sea. Through Pi, I suffered. And through Pi, I saw what it was like to simply want to be closer to god. It moved me.  But what it taught me was that you have to do what makes you happy,  not what will make others happy. In the end it is you whose well-being you really have to look out for. 

Personally, I didn't really write this to get one of those copies, I just happen to really like your work. I thought I would write a letter about it is all. As is the case but verbally and with the written word, I am not the best of conversationalist and for that I apologize. I simply wanted to say that without your book I probably would  not have realized that I was an Atheist. I am sorry if you do not like Atheists, but that is what I am, and I am quite happy with it. 

                                                                                      Thank You,                                                                                                                   R.D.M

Author guidance for This exercise

*note: The contest has closed, but we'd still love to exercise your writing skills, so please feel free to continue writing letters to Yann Martel.

CONTEST:
Win one of two autographed first (Canadian) editions of Yann Martel’s new novel, Beatrice & Virgil.

TO ENTER:
Write a letter to author Yann Martel. You can say anything. Did you enjoy reading Life of Pi? Have you never read anything by him before? Just tell him what's on your mind. Even if it's just what you had for breakfast.

DEADLINE:
THIS CONTEST HAS CLOSED. Congratulations to our two winners:
JackRubashevskiy
bluejay

And be sure to visit the "20 Writerly Questions" group to find out more about the new book and who Yann Martel thinks should star in a movie version of Beatrice & Virgil.

http://www.beatriceandvirgil.ca

updated May 14 '10 by booklounge