I'm a high school teacher, and one of my students suggested that I read Between Shades of Gray. I loved it so much that I read the entire book in a single day! I was just wondering if you could tell me about your writing process. How do the ideas for your novels come to you? Do you outline first and then write? Do you write every single day or only when you feel inspired?

Ruta Sepetys Hello Lindsay!

Please thank your student who recommended "Between Shades of Gray." It takes me forever to read an entire book. I'm in awe that you read it in just one day. :)

Answers to your questions:

- The ideas for my novels are based on intriguing pieces of history or history I feel is underrepresented. I'm forever in search of interesting stories and hidden history!

- My first step is always research. I generally spend a solid year researching each novel. This involves traveling to several different countries to interview people, searching through archives, meeting with historians, reading tons of primary source material and memoirs. As I'm doing the research, the framework of the plot begins to take shape in my mind. I then sit down with my writing group and talk story building. We brainstorm ideas and laugh a lot. Then I sketch a very(!) loose outline and begin to write.

- I tour five months out of the year so it's not possible for me to write every day. I carve out blocks of writing time, sit down, and write. Sadly, I don't have the luxury of waiting for a muse to arrive. I'm generally on deadline and I have to write. But for me, motivation leads to inspiration. Once I sit down and start writing the muses begin to flutter nearby. I often compare it to athletics. You might not feel like going for a run, but you push yourself to get out there and start to grind through it. Suddenly, your body responds and delivers. Once I start writing, the creative process responds and delivers. And the feeling is glorious.

Thanks so much, Lindsay!

Ruta

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