A Goodreads user
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
What is your go-to advice for an aspiring author in developing, naming, and choosing a main character, whose narrative would be the most helpful in making the story come to life in the way you wish it to be, yet still be realistic? Thank you!
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Miri!
My advice for developing a main character is to be specific.
Specificity is authenticity.
Give the character VERY specific likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, etc.
If you say, "He dreams of being a football player" that might give the reader a bit of info, but if you say, "He dreams of being a Dallas Cowboy" that specificity suddenly give us so much potential information:
- He wants to live in Texas or loves all things Texas
- He loves the colors blue and silver
- He loves the star symbol
- He might name his son Emmit, or Aikman, or Landry.
etc.
When you drill down to specifics, characters and details come to life.
Hope that helps!
Ruta
My advice for developing a main character is to be specific.
Specificity is authenticity.
Give the character VERY specific likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, etc.
If you say, "He dreams of being a football player" that might give the reader a bit of info, but if you say, "He dreams of being a Dallas Cowboy" that specificity suddenly give us so much potential information:
- He wants to live in Texas or loves all things Texas
- He loves the colors blue and silver
- He loves the star symbol
- He might name his son Emmit, or Aikman, or Landry.
etc.
When you drill down to specifics, characters and details come to life.
Hope that helps!
Ruta
More Answered Questions
Olivia Tabatha
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! I just finished 'Salt to the Sea', and it was amazing! Thank you for writing it, and for telling the stories that history so often forgets. My question is this: If you lived 200 years in the future, what current events would you be the most drawn to illuminating through historical fiction, and why? Thanks!
alexgobed
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! First, I'm fourteen years old and I'm from Spain, so my english is not that good. Last year I read Between Shades of Grey and I absolutely loved it. And I have a question about this book. Who is your favourite character? Or who they are, if there is more than one? I was in love with Lina and his mother, but I'm curious to see who are yours. Thanks for your time!
A Goodreads user
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! I really enjoyed your book "Between Shades of Gray". I really enjoyed it. I want to ask you about the inspiration about that book, besides basing it on the real event. I also want to know if there were any secrets in it that I may have missed. Do you have any recommendations for any other historical fiction books? Thanks!!
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