Johanna M. asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! I have read "Between Shades of Gray" and "Out of the Easy", both I give 5/5 stars without a doubt. I'm an aspiring author who doesn't really know where to begin. I have always loved writing, but am shy when it comes to trying to put myself out there and start writing for different contests. I was wondering, how did you start your career and what advice you have for me, and others like me?

Ruta Sepetys Hi Johanna!

I wanted to be an author when I was very young. I wrote my first book in 3rd grade. But after a while, I lost my courage to write and feared I didn't really have a talent for it. When I picked up writing again I did not start with historical fiction. I wrote a mystery for young readers and shortly after wrote the first chapter of "Between Shades of Gray." An agent read both the mystery and the first chapter and told me that my authentic voice was in historical fiction. I'm so grateful for his advice!

In terms of advice, I always suggest that writers think back on their own experiences of love, loss, joy and even humiliation. Those triumphs and scars are part of our individual emotional truth and if we write about them - and through them - the work will have a feeling of authenticity. Also, don't forget about rhythm in your writing. Read your work aloud, listening for rhythm and flow. If you stumble as you're reading aloud, revise the sentence.

Thank you for asking!

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