A Goodreads user asked Ruta Sepetys:

You write such beautiful and heartbreaking historical fiction, what was your favorite part of doing research for both Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea? Who was your favorite character to write? When you write a particularly sad or brutal scene, do you have to step back and take a break afterwards? Are you excited about the upcoming film based on Between Shades of Gray?

Ruta Sepetys Hi Jessi!

Thank you for your great questions! Answers:

My favorite part of researching for "Between Shades of Gray" and "Salt to the Sea" was interviewing survivors. Meeting individuals who were condemned to death, but somehow survived, was transformative and inspiring.

My favorite character to write—that's difficult because I become attached to all of them! But in "Salt to the Sea" I loved writing the Shoe Poet. :)

When I'm writing a sad or violent scene I don't take a step back from it. I try to stay present within it. That way, I'm immersed in the emotional truth of the scene and can hopefully convey that emotion to the reader.

Yes, I'm so incredibly excited about the "Between Shades of Gray" movie! I'll be traveling to the set in Europe in a couple weeks and I can't wait!

Thanks again for your questions! I'm sorry for the delay in replying. I received over 500 questions and have been on tour for several months. :)

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