A Goodreads user
asked
Elizabeth Wein:
Hi Elizabeth- Code Name Verity is my favourite book, and I also loved Rose Under Fire and Black Dove White Raven. My question is- What changed (in regards to your style of writing, mindset, research process, etc.) when you wrote each of these three books?
Elizabeth Wein
Hi Maddie, many apologies for taking ten months to answer your question! First of all, thank you so much for the incredible compliment of saying that Code Name Verity is your favourite book - that is high praise indeed.
There is a LOT to talk about in terms of the difference between those three books, but I suppose that what they have in common is that they are all supposed to be "found" manuscripts based on contemporary writing - letters, journals, Julie's confession, accident reports & articles, etc. So the style changes in two ways: 1) there are different voices that mark the different speakers as individuals, and 2) there are differences in voice depending on what the speaker is writing. Em's letter to the emperor, for example, is more formal than her essays for her tutor, which are more formal than her log book entries which are really for herself. I don't think about these subtle differences in tone as I'm writing, but I do try to put myself in the head of the character I'm "speaking" for and try to imagine how he or she would address a letter or whatever. I really enjoyed writing the letter from Jamie to Maddie in Rose Under Fire - Jamie is a character whose point of view I hadn't ever used before, and I loved how frank and loving, how *honest*, he was in the way he addressed Maddie.
In terms of research, all three books underwent a similar process - I mostly rely on books and text, but contemporary film is also useful, and I visit museums and settings. I also use Google maps - a really useful tool! I did a lot of virtual flying over Ethiopia when I was writing Black Dove, white Raven, and I "saw" Ravensbruck for the first time just the way Rose did, from the air (which is actually what gave me the idea of having her see it for the first time from the air). The research for Black Dove, white Raven, felt very hurried to me because I was on a deadline, and I wasn't entirely satisfied with it.
Likewise, in terms of mindset, I never entirely gelled with the writing of Black Dove, White Raven. It was a struggle to write from beginning to end. Code Name Verity, on the other hand, just came pouring out of me. Rose Under Fire was somewhere in the middle! Each one was a different writing experience. Having a deadline and a contract in place can both help and hinder you - I felt as though Black Dove, White Raven was too rushed. Yet it took me over a year longer to write than Code Name Verity, which was easy. So each book has a very different feel to it - both for the reader and the writer.
I hope this answers some of your questions, and again, I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! That's partly your own fault for asking a VERY HARD QUESTION! :D
There is a LOT to talk about in terms of the difference between those three books, but I suppose that what they have in common is that they are all supposed to be "found" manuscripts based on contemporary writing - letters, journals, Julie's confession, accident reports & articles, etc. So the style changes in two ways: 1) there are different voices that mark the different speakers as individuals, and 2) there are differences in voice depending on what the speaker is writing. Em's letter to the emperor, for example, is more formal than her essays for her tutor, which are more formal than her log book entries which are really for herself. I don't think about these subtle differences in tone as I'm writing, but I do try to put myself in the head of the character I'm "speaking" for and try to imagine how he or she would address a letter or whatever. I really enjoyed writing the letter from Jamie to Maddie in Rose Under Fire - Jamie is a character whose point of view I hadn't ever used before, and I loved how frank and loving, how *honest*, he was in the way he addressed Maddie.
In terms of research, all three books underwent a similar process - I mostly rely on books and text, but contemporary film is also useful, and I visit museums and settings. I also use Google maps - a really useful tool! I did a lot of virtual flying over Ethiopia when I was writing Black Dove, white Raven, and I "saw" Ravensbruck for the first time just the way Rose did, from the air (which is actually what gave me the idea of having her see it for the first time from the air). The research for Black Dove, white Raven, felt very hurried to me because I was on a deadline, and I wasn't entirely satisfied with it.
Likewise, in terms of mindset, I never entirely gelled with the writing of Black Dove, White Raven. It was a struggle to write from beginning to end. Code Name Verity, on the other hand, just came pouring out of me. Rose Under Fire was somewhere in the middle! Each one was a different writing experience. Having a deadline and a contract in place can both help and hinder you - I felt as though Black Dove, White Raven was too rushed. Yet it took me over a year longer to write than Code Name Verity, which was easy. So each book has a very different feel to it - both for the reader and the writer.
I hope this answers some of your questions, and again, I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! That's partly your own fault for asking a VERY HARD QUESTION! :D
More Answered Questions
Sarah
asked
Elizabeth Wein:
You are an amazing author. Code Name Verity is the best book I have ever read, and believe me, I've read a lot. You had me laughing at Queenie's wit and sharpness, and had me crying my eyes out. Once I finished it I immediately turned back to page one and read it all over again. How did you think to write the book as the confessional journal? It is such a unique way of writing. Did you have the overall plot planned?
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