Paloma Renteria

Paloma Renteria asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hello Ms. Sepetys! My name is Paloma, I'm sixteen years old from Dallas, Texas. Between the Shades of Gray is one of my favorite books!! I was curious, do you find it difficult to get into character for a time you didn't experience first hand? How does that creative process work for you? Thanks a lot!! :)

Ruta Sepetys Hi Paloma!

Thanks for your question about character building. Many of the characters come to life while I'm interviewing people who experienced the event I'm writing about. I try to interview as many people as possible while researching a book. I then weave their stories together into one character. Since the survivors and witnesses inspire the characters I just try to reflect back on my meetings to "stay with" the character. I take lots of notes during the interview and try to record the interview if permitted. Thanks again!

More Answered Questions

Emily Rose

Emily Rose asked Ruta Sepetys:

How do you find inspiration for your books and their characters? Does the research you complete have any effect on a characters behavior? I loved "Salt to the Sea", and love and appreciate how you can still understand and enjoy your novels, even if you have no prior knowledge on the history they were inspired by. Thank you for making them just as enjoyable as educational!

Andy

Andy asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! We loved having you speak twice at The Out-of-Door Academy. May I ask, what is your favorite part of author visits and discussions of that type? Thanks again for sharing yourself at school and here on Good Reafs, too!

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! I loved Between Shades of Gray so much; it was so amazing and moving. I wanted to ask what inspired you to write historical fiction such as this? Thanks!

All answers from Ruta Sepetys…

24,722 followers

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions