Brynna asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi! I am a huge fan of yours! I picked up Between Shades of Grey last year and read it in one sitting! You're incredibly talented! Thank you for keeping these histories alive in modern literature. I was wondering how you first happened upon Wilhelm Gustloff, and what served as your initial inspiration for your YA protagonists? On a slightly different note, who was your favorite character to write?! :) Thank you!

Ruta Sepetys Hi Brynna!

Thanks for your questions and your kind words too! Answers:

I first learned of the sinking of the Gustloff from my father's cousin. She urged me to write about it because she had passage on the ship!

In terms of the inspiration for the characters, When I was researching the novel I was reminded of how many regions and countries were affected and suffered during the evacuation. When I interviewed people from those different countries, I realized that every human being views history through their own cultural lens so I created characters who would give voice to a particular regional experience and allow the reader to look through their "lens."

My favorite character to write was probably the Shoe Poet. :)
Thanks so much!

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