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Sheila Decosse
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
What gave you the confidence to undertake the years of research on 'Between Shades of Grey". Did you write a dynamite proposal and have a publisher's commitment ..or did you have tremendous self confidence..(and I look at that as a plus.) Did you have any life experiences in the past that helped you soldier on?
Ruta Sepetys
Hello Seabreeze!
I wanted to be an author when I was very young. I wrote my first book in third grade. But after a while, I lost my courage to write and feared I didn't really have a talent for it.
Prior to becoming an author I worked for twenty years in the music business. Through working in music I learned that failure is a prerequisite to success. Having the freedom to fail brought me back to writing.
I did not sell the book on a proposal. I wrote (and rewrote) "Between Shades of Gray" countless times before it was sold to a publisher. It was a journey that took many years, but I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for asking!
I wanted to be an author when I was very young. I wrote my first book in third grade. But after a while, I lost my courage to write and feared I didn't really have a talent for it.
Prior to becoming an author I worked for twenty years in the music business. Through working in music I learned that failure is a prerequisite to success. Having the freedom to fail brought me back to writing.
I did not sell the book on a proposal. I wrote (and rewrote) "Between Shades of Gray" countless times before it was sold to a publisher. It was a journey that took many years, but I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for asking!
More Answered Questions
Megan
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! You have become my favorite author of all time. I can't stop talking about Between Shades of Gray. Everyone that I have recommend your book to they all fall in love with it just like I have. My question for you is: are you ever going to come to the Seattle Washington area or Bellingham Washington? I would love to meet you. Thank you for writing my favorite book!
Mindi
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
One of my favorite lines from Salt to the Sea is when Alfred thinks that there is so much ugliness in the world, and we should not be forced to face it. The novel itself forces the reader to face the ugliness of the world, but to embrace the love and beauty that exists despite--or in spite--of it. How does this theme reflect your view of the function of art, especially YA literature, if at all?
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