Ask the Author: Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Answered Questions (59)
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Emily, those three constitute my first WWII trilogy. There's a second trilogy as well: Don't Tell the Nazis, Trapped in Hitler's Web, and Traitors Among Us.
The seed for my two WWII trilogies was an earlier novel, Hope's War, published way back in 2001!
The seed for my two WWII trilogies was an earlier novel, Hope's War, published way back in 2001!
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Nancy,
I was inspired to write my WWII novels because I hadn't been able to find novels that reflected the reality of Ukrainian victims and survivors, many of whom survived Hitler's atrocities by the skin of their teeth, only to be subjected to the same by Stalin. Many WWII novels focus on Hitler, while ignoring Stalin, yet both were perpetrators of genocide. That's kind of like trying to describe an elephant blindfolded, and only feeling the tail. We are doomed to repeat the history that we forget or ignore, and writing these books was my effort to help us avoid that fate. I am in mourning today, given what seems to be unfolding in the world.
I was inspired to write my WWII novels because I hadn't been able to find novels that reflected the reality of Ukrainian victims and survivors, many of whom survived Hitler's atrocities by the skin of their teeth, only to be subjected to the same by Stalin. Many WWII novels focus on Hitler, while ignoring Stalin, yet both were perpetrators of genocide. That's kind of like trying to describe an elephant blindfolded, and only feeling the tail. We are doomed to repeat the history that we forget or ignore, and writing these books was my effort to help us avoid that fate. I am in mourning today, given what seems to be unfolding in the world.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
I've got two picture books that have nothing to do with war and refugees. One is When Mama Goes to Work, and the other is a baby book, called The Best Gifts. My first two novels weren't set during war. Both are young adult contemporary novels. They both have war and displacement in them, but it's their grandparents, not them. Those novels are Hope's War and The Hunger. Also, my 2022 novel isn't set during a war, but it sort of is. It's set during the Holodomor in 1930s Ukraine when the dictator in Moscow decided to wipe out Ukrainians by starvation. There's a listing of all my books on my website, which is www.calla.com
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
I've just finished writing a trilogy set during the current war in Ukraine. The trilogy title is Kidnapped from Ukraine. The first in that series, Under Attack, will be published by Scholastic on Jan 7, 2025.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hello, Lea --
My best known novels are set during WWII and told from the perspective of young people who experience it. I like to shed light on the stories of young people who are plunged in war, but not just WWII. My earlier books were set in WWI, and I've also written books about Vietnamese war refugees.
My best known novels are set during WWII and told from the perspective of young people who experience it. I like to shed light on the stories of young people who are plunged in war, but not just WWII. My earlier books were set in WWI, and I've also written books about Vietnamese war refugees.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hi Alex,
There's no wrong order. I wrote them in a way that each are self-contained and don't give away what happens in the others but may give you "ah ha" moments as you continue reading them. That said, most people tell me that reading Making Bombs for Hitler first, then Stolen Girl, then The War Below is the order they feel they come in. I wrote them in this order: Stolen Girl, Making Bombs for Hitler, The War Below.
There's no wrong order. I wrote them in a way that each are self-contained and don't give away what happens in the others but may give you "ah ha" moments as you continue reading them. That said, most people tell me that reading Making Bombs for Hitler first, then Stolen Girl, then The War Below is the order they feel they come in. I wrote them in this order: Stolen Girl, Making Bombs for Hitler, The War Below.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Lucy,
Sometimes you have to wait for the story to tell you what the title is. I'll often start with a placemarker title just so I can name the word document, but then as time goes on, sequences in the book become a part of a meaningful pattern. As an example, my picture book Enough had a placemarker title of A Bag of Wheat for a long time but it became Enough because that was the core of the story -- the difference between empathy and selfishness is knowing when one has enough and recognizing who doesn't have enough.
Sometimes you have to wait for the story to tell you what the title is. I'll often start with a placemarker title just so I can name the word document, but then as time goes on, sequences in the book become a part of a meaningful pattern. As an example, my picture book Enough had a placemarker title of A Bag of Wheat for a long time but it became Enough because that was the core of the story -- the difference between empathy and selfishness is knowing when one has enough and recognizing who doesn't have enough.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Marcelle,
So nice to hear from you and thanks for the great questions!
When I create a character, there's something of me in them, as well as characteristics of people I know, and a person of the era. Added to that, I consider what does this person want/love/need and what is their weakness? I do that with everyone in a story, even if they are only on one page because I figure there's no point in having someone in your book if you haven't met them! I try to show character with as few words as possible and in action rather than info dump. Will answer your other questions in a separate post.
So nice to hear from you and thanks for the great questions!
When I create a character, there's something of me in them, as well as characteristics of people I know, and a person of the era. Added to that, I consider what does this person want/love/need and what is their weakness? I do that with everyone in a story, even if they are only on one page because I figure there's no point in having someone in your book if you haven't met them! I try to show character with as few words as possible and in action rather than info dump. Will answer your other questions in a separate post.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Lucy,
My first book was published in 1996 when I was about 40 years old, but I've been writing stories since I was a kid. I like to write stories that I can't find to read because for me, writing and reading both plunge me into story. I particularly like writing from a young person's perspective and about standing up to bullies, and the refugee experience.
best
Marsha
My first book was published in 1996 when I was about 40 years old, but I've been writing stories since I was a kid. I like to write stories that I can't find to read because for me, writing and reading both plunge me into story. I particularly like writing from a young person's perspective and about standing up to bullies, and the refugee experience.
best
Marsha
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hi Lucy,
Thank you for this very excellent question. Yes, because the novels can be read in any order. They're each written as stand-alone stories. If you wanted to read them in the order that I wrote them, that would be Stolen Girl, Making Bombs for Hitler, then The War Below, but that wasn't the order they were published in the US.
I wrote them each as self-contained and linked for a few reasons. First, even though my brain works in trilogies, I always think that the book I'm writing at the moment is the end of that story. Another reason is because I HATE novel series that have to be read in a particular order for them to make sense. Reading should be more fun than that.
Thank you for this very excellent question. Yes, because the novels can be read in any order. They're each written as stand-alone stories. If you wanted to read them in the order that I wrote them, that would be Stolen Girl, Making Bombs for Hitler, then The War Below, but that wasn't the order they were published in the US.
I wrote them each as self-contained and linked for a few reasons. First, even though my brain works in trilogies, I always think that the book I'm writing at the moment is the end of that story. Another reason is because I HATE novel series that have to be read in a particular order for them to make sense. Reading should be more fun than that.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
It's a complex one to write because it's the first time I've written a novel set during the Middle Ages. My goal is to finish writing it by the spring of 2023, so most likely release time would be in 2024.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
I am writing a new book now, set in Medieval times, about a real girl captured as a slave who becomes a queen.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Madeleine,
Thanks for the great question. She will certainly be sent to a Soviet slave labor camp (ie part of the GULAG system). Many people who ended up in the gulag did die, although it would be gradual, from overwork, deprivation and starvation.
Thanks for the great question. She will certainly be sent to a Soviet slave labor camp (ie part of the GULAG system). Many people who ended up in the gulag did die, although it would be gradual, from overwork, deprivation and starvation.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Dear Isabella,
Thank you for your hopeful question. Alas, Dolik did die.
Best
Marsha
Thank you for your hopeful question. Alas, Dolik did die.
Best
Marsha
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Read widely and write everyday.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hello, Layla --
Was this in Kelowna? That was the last time I met with students who were avid writers in person before the pandemic -- and I really really miss meeting with students in person. Virtual is nice, but not the same. That's wonderful that you're writing a novel. Writing a first novel is one of the hardest things to do. Take it one scene at a time and don't worry too much about doing it in order. Instead, write the scene that's most vivid in your head. Then write the one that's now the most vivid. Repeat. After awhile, use copy and paste to rearrange because you'll begin to see their order. After that, you'll notice spots that need filling out with more scenes. It's sort of like sewing a quilt with a bunch of beautifully individual patches. Once you've finished the first draft of your novel, do consider joining my online private critique group called kidcrit. It doesn't cost anything but does require a lot of dedication -- reading other people's stuff and giving feedback, as well as uploading your own work chapter by chapter and having the humility to listen to advice. My website, calla.com has more info on kidcrit.
So happy to hear from you!
Was this in Kelowna? That was the last time I met with students who were avid writers in person before the pandemic -- and I really really miss meeting with students in person. Virtual is nice, but not the same. That's wonderful that you're writing a novel. Writing a first novel is one of the hardest things to do. Take it one scene at a time and don't worry too much about doing it in order. Instead, write the scene that's most vivid in your head. Then write the one that's now the most vivid. Repeat. After awhile, use copy and paste to rearrange because you'll begin to see their order. After that, you'll notice spots that need filling out with more scenes. It's sort of like sewing a quilt with a bunch of beautifully individual patches. Once you've finished the first draft of your novel, do consider joining my online private critique group called kidcrit. It doesn't cost anything but does require a lot of dedication -- reading other people's stuff and giving feedback, as well as uploading your own work chapter by chapter and having the humility to listen to advice. My website, calla.com has more info on kidcrit.
So happy to hear from you!
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hi Robyn,
I've written the WWII books so that they can be read in any order, but within the 6 there are two linked series. Here's the order I wrote them in:
Stolen Girl (previously published in Canada as Stolen Child)
Making Bombs for Hitler
The War Below (previously published in Canada as Underground Soldier)
Don't Tell the Nazis (previously published in Canada as Don't Tell the Enemy)
Trapped in Hitler's Web
Traitors Among Us
Hope this helps!
I've written the WWII books so that they can be read in any order, but within the 6 there are two linked series. Here's the order I wrote them in:
Stolen Girl (previously published in Canada as Stolen Child)
Making Bombs for Hitler
The War Below (previously published in Canada as Underground Soldier)
Don't Tell the Nazis (previously published in Canada as Don't Tell the Enemy)
Trapped in Hitler's Web
Traitors Among Us
Hope this helps!
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hi Michelle! Thanks for the great questions. What I liked best about writing this book were the new things I learned about World War II. I had already written 4 novels set during that time but this was the first time I had set a novel in western Ukraine -- ie -- the part that was under Poland rather than the Soviet Union prior to WWII. I learned so much! I also liked being able to interview the real Krystia face to face and to hear her story directly. I loved being given the opportunity to shine a light on her heroism and when the book launched in Canada, the audience and I gave her a standing ovation. So many quiet heroes never get that recognition.
Why did I become an author? Because there are so many stories that need writing! For me, reading a book and writing one take up the same space in my head so if I find novels on a subject, I just read them, but when I find blank spots, or worse, misrepresentations, I have a compulsion to write a novel that fills in the blanks.
Why did I become an author? Because there are so many stories that need writing! For me, reading a book and writing one take up the same space in my head so if I find novels on a subject, I just read them, but when I find blank spots, or worse, misrepresentations, I have a compulsion to write a novel that fills in the blanks.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hi Madie,
I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed Traitors Among Us! Thanks! As to your questions, Galina could have found out either way. The Soviets did listen in on their prisoners in the interrogation houses but in this particular interrogation house, they weren't listening 24/7. The Soviets had spies who infiltrated the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and this was particularly common towards the end of the war and after the war ended. After the war, Ukraine was occupied by the Soviets and didn't become free until 1991. It's still not really free, as the Russians (Soviet Union fell apart in 1991) are currently at war with Ukraine.
I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed Traitors Among Us! Thanks! As to your questions, Galina could have found out either way. The Soviets did listen in on their prisoners in the interrogation houses but in this particular interrogation house, they weren't listening 24/7. The Soviets had spies who infiltrated the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and this was particularly common towards the end of the war and after the war ended. After the war, Ukraine was occupied by the Soviets and didn't become free until 1991. It's still not really free, as the Russians (Soviet Union fell apart in 1991) are currently at war with Ukraine.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Hi Madie,
Thanks for the question. What do you think is her greatest character flaw? Hint: sometimes our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness.
best
Marsha
Thanks for the question. What do you think is her greatest character flaw? Hint: sometimes our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness.
best
Marsha
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