Natalie
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
A friend of mine recommended Salt to the Sea, and it has been my favorite read of the year thus far. My question is, how much time and what sort of research process goes into writing a book like Salt to the Sea? As a descendant of Eastern European Jews, who mostly perished during WWII, I find it difficult to find accurate information about that region and time period. Thank you for an exquisitely crafted novel!
Ruta Sepetys
Dear Natalie,
Thank you for your kind words! To research "Salt to the Sea" I traveled to six different countries tracking down information and testimonies. My advice for research would be to try to interview people who either experienced the time period or historians who have spent years researching it. Sitting down to speak to someone can sometimes yield more dynamic results than just reading about a piece of history. Once you have received testimonies and information you can then consult a historian or academic about the information you've received to evaluate the accuracy.
I hope that helps!
Thank you for your kind words! To research "Salt to the Sea" I traveled to six different countries tracking down information and testimonies. My advice for research would be to try to interview people who either experienced the time period or historians who have spent years researching it. Sitting down to speak to someone can sometimes yield more dynamic results than just reading about a piece of history. Once you have received testimonies and information you can then consult a historian or academic about the information you've received to evaluate the accuracy.
I hope that helps!
More Answered Questions
Nikolae Keaveney
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hello Ruta! You are my favourite author and you write my favourite genre-world war II-beautifully. I love your characters, especially Nikolai and Florian. Thank you so much for spending so much time perfecting these books. They really changed my life and I cannot be happier. My questions is, will you be writing more WWII related books? Hugs from Canada. :)
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