Samantha
asked
Erik Larson:
Have you ever grown 'attached', so to speak, to any of the historical individuals you've researched for your writing? Were there any, for whom, you would have wished a different fate?
Erik Larson
I can't say that I ever feel "attached," but there are characters I've liked very much--for example Olmsted, in Devil in the White City. I don't think that man ever uttered or wrote an unoriginal thought. As to the fates of characters: I go with what history gives me. It's why I don't think I'd ever make a good novelist. A compelling novel involves visiting awful things upon good people. I'd find that hard. But, if history does it to them...well then, bring it on.
More Answered Questions
Jen
asked
Erik Larson:
I loved, loved, loved devil in the white city almost as much as I love Chicago. What in the world drew you to major in Russian history? What is your craziest international incident? Mine was being attacked by a bat in my hotel room in Tianjin, China. I'm convinced bats can see.
Leslie
asked
Erik Larson:
In the age of "Googling" how do you find the primary sources for your books? As a school Media Specialist, I try to teach students to use the databases provided for them but they prefer to "Google" the question and get a one line answer, which may not be accurate. How would you tell students that research is important?
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