Abby

Abby asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! I have read your first two books and LOVED both! I have three questions: 1) What's your favorite part of being a writer? (a bit cliche, I know, but I'm curious) 2) How do you stay true to your characters while at the same time portraying history accurately? 3) And finally, which character has been your favorite to write about?

Ruta Sepetys Hi Abby!

Thanks for your questions. Answers:

1. My favorite part of being a writer is interacting with readers!
2. I stay true to the characters and history by doing a lot of research in advance. If I do that, I know the lane that the characters need to stay in.
3. It's so hard to choose just one character as a favorite. I loved writing Elena and Kretzsky in BSG and I loved writing Willie and Cokie in OTE.

Thanks so much!

More Answered Questions

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Ruta Sepetys:

When my granddaughter was in fourth grade and reading "Between Shades of Gray," a classmate got a surprised look on his face and indicated that she should NOT be reading that book! He had confused the title with "Fifty Shades of Gray." My granddaughter quickly pointed out the difference to him. I am a former German teacher. Will you continue to write about German history?

Jessica (The Mortal Jessica)

Jessica (The Mortal Jessica) asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! I've read your books and absolutely LOVE how rich the history is and I love learning about all the different kinds of history that you write about. How do you come up with your amazing characters, and are they maybe based off of you or anyone in your family?

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! My name is Neha, and I met you at a book signing for Salt to the Sea at Parnassus Book Store in Nashville! I love all of your books, and I liked how Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray were linked in a way. The story of Lina and her family in Between Shades of Gray and Joana, Florian, Emilia, and Alfred's stories were so beautiful and I enjoyed every page. Will you write another World War 2 based book?

All answers from Ruta Sepetys…

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