Katherine
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi, I LOVED Between Shades of Gray! As an aspiring author, I was wondering if you have any advice for someone who may be interested in writing historical fiction based on their own family? (my family came from Italy to NYC in the early 1900s)
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Katherine!
Ooh, I bet your family has some amazing history coming from Italy to NYC. My first bit of advice would be to dig through family archives, relatives, and friends to find photos, journals, or any personal mementos. A single photograph could unlock a whole story for you. If possible, I would also encourage you to interview any and all elderly family members left. Their story and memories are so important! You might also go to the library and use Ancestry.com online. Through Ancestry you can research the ship that your family came over on and even print the passenger manifest. Once you know the name of the ship, you can check to see if anyone on Ancestry has posted photos or stories from their experience on the ship. You can also research census reports of each household. Hope that helps and good luck! :)
Ooh, I bet your family has some amazing history coming from Italy to NYC. My first bit of advice would be to dig through family archives, relatives, and friends to find photos, journals, or any personal mementos. A single photograph could unlock a whole story for you. If possible, I would also encourage you to interview any and all elderly family members left. Their story and memories are so important! You might also go to the library and use Ancestry.com online. Through Ancestry you can research the ship that your family came over on and even print the passenger manifest. Once you know the name of the ship, you can check to see if anyone on Ancestry has posted photos or stories from their experience on the ship. You can also research census reports of each household. Hope that helps and good luck! :)
More Answered Questions
Ivana
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta . I actually do not have any questions for you . I just want to thank you for the wonderful books that you gave us , and the emotions they bring . For now I read Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy . Since they are translated with us . She would like to know where you get your inspiration , what are the possibilities that the books on a way autobiographical ? Many greetings from Croatia
Mandy Chilcote
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
As a middle school English teacher, Between Shades of Gray is one of my top recommendations for students who think they know WWII books. When I saw Salt to the Sea in the library, I snatched it immediately and am finding it hard to put down. I was surprised, though, to see another World War II book from you. Did the research for one lead to the idea for the other?
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