Ruth

Ruth asked Erik Larson:

So do you start off on the road to a new writing project because it is something you yourself are interested in learning more about? Or is the decision more pragmatic than that?

Erik Larson It's all about personal interest--because if you're not really, truly interested in a subject, a book can become a living hell. I choose ideas that for one reason or another really appeal to my own need to know more. I make an assumption that if I'm interested, other people will be interested too.

More Answered Questions

Marlena

Marlena asked Erik Larson:

What would be your top three places you've visited during the research of one of your books? thanks for always making me feel like I am actually in the book.

Joanne Brokaw

Joanne Brokaw asked Erik Larson:

I'm a huge fan of all of your books (I finished "Dead Wake" last night), and am always amazed at the way you're able to turn tons of research into a compelling narrative that reads like a novel. Do you do all of your research first and then write, or are you writing as you're researching?

Stephen

Stephen asked Erik Larson:

I'm a big fan of your books (have read Isaac's Storm, Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts) - love the way that they take you back into the time as if you were there yourself. Wondered which were your own favourite authors (fiction or non-fiction)and whether there were any that influenced your own writing ?

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