shirley
shirley asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hello! I've read both Out of the Easy and Between Shades Of Gray, and they're both such a beautiful, compelling, life-changing stories. I was wondering if/how you plan your novels--do you plan out your plot chapter by chapter, if you explore your characters with drabbles, etc.? Thank you for writing such amazing works!

Ruta Sepetys Hi Shirley,

Thanks for reading both books and for your kind words. It means the world to me!

Since I write historical fiction, history provides a general outline for my novels. I spend a lot of time thinking about the characters, what those characters want, and what obstacles they will overcome to get what they want. I love the creative process so I don't outline too heavily. I don't plan chapter by chapter. I like to leave room to surprise myself while writing. :-)
Ruta Sepetys
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