Jimin Lee
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! I read your book "Between Shades of Gray" and absolutely fell in love with it. I am a middle school student of South Korea, also a wannabe author - trying to get as much practice as possible when I still have time as a young student. Could you give me some help about turning a general idea into a book(or a rough draft, if not)? I would be absolutely thankful if you can!
Ruta Sepetys
Hello Karla!
Waving to you over in South Korea!
In order to turn an idea into a book, you need a main character and the character has to want something. There also has to be obstacles preventing them from getting what they want too easily, and high stakes if they fail. Obstacles, stakes, and timing, make a story compelling. Below are some questions you can ask yourself to help form your story. Hope these are helpful!
1.) Inciting Incident
What event sets the plot into motion?
2.) The Prize
What is it your character wants?
3.) The Strategy
What does your character decide to do in order to get what he/she wants?
4.) The Conflict
Who are some of the people who are working against your character?
5.) The Stakes
What will be the consequence if the plan does not work?
6.) The Bleakest Moment
What happens to make things look hopeless?
7.) The Lesson
What does your character learn about himself/herself, others or life?
8.) The Decision
What does your character do because of what he/she has learned?
9.) The Hole
In what way does your character need to grow emotionally? (Although probably unknown to him/her)
10.) The Back Story
What is it that is haunting your character as the story begins?
Waving to you over in South Korea!
In order to turn an idea into a book, you need a main character and the character has to want something. There also has to be obstacles preventing them from getting what they want too easily, and high stakes if they fail. Obstacles, stakes, and timing, make a story compelling. Below are some questions you can ask yourself to help form your story. Hope these are helpful!
1.) Inciting Incident
What event sets the plot into motion?
2.) The Prize
What is it your character wants?
3.) The Strategy
What does your character decide to do in order to get what he/she wants?
4.) The Conflict
Who are some of the people who are working against your character?
5.) The Stakes
What will be the consequence if the plan does not work?
6.) The Bleakest Moment
What happens to make things look hopeless?
7.) The Lesson
What does your character learn about himself/herself, others or life?
8.) The Decision
What does your character do because of what he/she has learned?
9.) The Hole
In what way does your character need to grow emotionally? (Although probably unknown to him/her)
10.) The Back Story
What is it that is haunting your character as the story begins?
More Answered Questions
Joanna
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
I recently read Out of the Easy after reading both Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea and I loved all three books. You have such a way with historical fiction and making everything flow so smoothly. WW2 and New Orleans in the 50s are so extremely different, how did you come to write Out of the Easy? And are there other historical periods that interest you enough to possibly write about in the future?
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