Katherine
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi, I LOVED Between Shades of Gray! As an aspiring author, I was wondering if you have any advice for someone who may be interested in writing historical fiction based on their own family? (my family came from Italy to NYC in the early 1900s)
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Katherine!
Ooh, I bet your family has some amazing history coming from Italy to NYC. My first bit of advice would be to dig through family archives, relatives, and friends to find photos, journals, or any personal mementos. A single photograph could unlock a whole story for you. If possible, I would also encourage you to interview any and all elderly family members left. Their story and memories are so important! You might also go to the library and use Ancestry.com online. Through Ancestry you can research the ship that your family came over on and even print the passenger manifest. Once you know the name of the ship, you can check to see if anyone on Ancestry has posted photos or stories from their experience on the ship. You can also research census reports of each household. Hope that helps and good luck! :)
Ooh, I bet your family has some amazing history coming from Italy to NYC. My first bit of advice would be to dig through family archives, relatives, and friends to find photos, journals, or any personal mementos. A single photograph could unlock a whole story for you. If possible, I would also encourage you to interview any and all elderly family members left. Their story and memories are so important! You might also go to the library and use Ancestry.com online. Through Ancestry you can research the ship that your family came over on and even print the passenger manifest. Once you know the name of the ship, you can check to see if anyone on Ancestry has posted photos or stories from their experience on the ship. You can also research census reports of each household. Hope that helps and good luck! :)
More Answered Questions
Carlos
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hello Ruta Sepetys, I am Carlos, manager of a literary blog, first sorry for my English so bad... Will visit Mexico soon?, Your new book will be translated into Spanish?, Do you think of your readers in Latin America? Thanks for writing, reading us and inspire us to believe in the lyrics (words, stories).
ANN ♥
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hello Ruta! I am a huge fan of your work! Between Shades of Grey is my absolute favourite book. In fact, I loved it so much I read it more than once! I'm so excited for it to hit the big screen! I know that you will be touring Canada some time in May 2016. I wanted to know if you will be coming to Toronto, Canada to do book signings? I would love to meet you in person! Thank you!
Derek
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
If you could only choose three, what would you choose as your favorite novels from other writers? I'm a slow reader but I'm always looking for good recommendations. I loved Between Shades of Gray and I really like that you try to incorporate some of the more obscure parts of history than a lot of other historical fiction. Thanks!
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