Steve Whitaker
asked
Erik Larson:
Mr. Larson, my question is how you decode on the balance among the various perspectives in each of your books (e.g., the German naval workings versus Churchill's group versus the shipboard action). How do you know when the balance is right?
Erik Larson
Trial-and-error. I always cut my drafts into pieces and move the pieces around until they end up in what seem to be the right places. This process continues even during the final draft. It's kind of like tuning a piano.
More Answered Questions
LynBarTri
asked
Erik Larson:
I read your response to the question about structuring your narrative and I have slightly different question. From reading THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY and THUNDERSTRUCK, I take it that you leave it up to the reader to make sort out the juxtaposition of good and evil and, more significantly, the implications. My question is which motivates you most in putting the narrative together, the evil or the good?
Tommy Phillips
asked
Erik Larson:
Mr. Larsen, I became an instant fan after _Devil_In_The_White_City_, and have read several of your other works. I have noticed that real historical events don't always cooperate by fitting into a novel-like plot. How much effort do you spend looking for just the right set of characters in a situation, so the story can to build to a satisfying finish?
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