Book Concierge

Book Concierge asked Erik Larson:

Isaac's Storm and In the Garden of Beasts each told "one" story. While your other two books each told two - Devil in the White City had Dr Holmes and the engineering marvel that was the White City and Thunderstruck told of Crippen and Marconi's invention. How do you decide whether to follow only one plot vs including two story-lines that converge?

Erik Larson Each book has a structure that is organic to the underlying concept. I don't seek out parallel stories. In the case of Devil, I would not have wanted to write a book just about Holmes; nor would I have wanted to write only about the fair. It was the juxtaposition of good and evil, light and darkness, that made me want to proceed.

More Answered Questions

Ev asked Erik Larson:

Hi Erik, I am a new fan. As much as I love history and non-fiction, it surprises me that I didn't discover your books before now. Do you ever write fiction based on real events? Also, do you outline before rough draft? Thank you!

Faye

Faye asked Erik Larson:

I am a huge fan, and I really enjoyed In the Garden of Beasts, how is it that you are able to convey non-fiction in such a way that it reads likes a compelling fiction?. I swear every time I pick up one of your books, I do nothing else for the next day or 2.

Ruth

Ruth asked Erik Larson:

So do you start off on the road to a new writing project because it is something you yourself are interested in learning more about? Or is the decision more pragmatic than that?

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