Jillian asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hello Ms. Sepetys, First off, I thourougly enjoyed both Between Shades of Grey and Salt to the Sea...the latter one being read by my book club who all loved it. (except Alfred...he's kinda a wack-job) Would you consider writing a book with another member of the Vilkas family now that Lina and Joana are written for? Who are your favorite authors? How do you get out of writer's block? Thanks, Jillian :)

Ruta Sepetys Hi Jillian,

Thanks for your kind words!

Alfred was kind of a wack-job. In order to write his character, I studied Adolf Hitler as a youth. Hitler wrote lengthy letters to a girl but never mailed them, he had a difficult relationship with his father. Hitler also had a fascination with hands so I included that via a manifestation on Alfred's hands.

For me, Alfred was also a study of visibility. He was rejected and invisible for much of his youth, but when Alfred put on a uniform he suddenly became/felt visible (even if only in his own mind) and that visibility then mutated into a sense of power. Alfred felt that he was superior and entitled to possess beautiful, innocent things - like the butterflies pinned to his closet wall - and Hannelore.

I hope one day to write a sequel where Andrius and Lina reunite. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm actually able to!

Some of my favorite books are:
• A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry
• How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

When I feel a bit “stuck” I leave my computer and take a walk or listen to music. Engaging another part of my brain for a few minutes seems to work the knots loose. Any form of exercise or physical activity also helps.

Thanks for asking!

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