Hannah Wood
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi! I read Between Shades of Gray in school this year and I loved it! I love how you actually took the time to research the topic. I would like to know what made you write this book on this particular topic? Why did you not want to write a fantasy book? I loved your book so much though. And I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. And read the rest of the books.
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Hannah!
When I first got back to writing, I submitted a mystery novel and the first chapter of "Between Shades of Grey" to an agent and he told me that my most authentic voice was in historical fiction, and I'm so glad he did! I wrote about the topic in "Between Shades of Grey" because my father was involved and directly affected. He is a Lithuanian refugee, and his family's story inspired the book. Writing historical fiction is like being a detective. I love discovering secrets, hidden facts, and hidden heroes. Sometimes history can be perceived as boring. But through characters and story, historical statistics become human and suddenly we care for people we've never met, we can find their country on a map, and then - the history matters. Through historical fiction we can give voice those who will never have a chance to tell their story. That inspires me!
Thanks for asking!
When I first got back to writing, I submitted a mystery novel and the first chapter of "Between Shades of Grey" to an agent and he told me that my most authentic voice was in historical fiction, and I'm so glad he did! I wrote about the topic in "Between Shades of Grey" because my father was involved and directly affected. He is a Lithuanian refugee, and his family's story inspired the book. Writing historical fiction is like being a detective. I love discovering secrets, hidden facts, and hidden heroes. Sometimes history can be perceived as boring. But through characters and story, historical statistics become human and suddenly we care for people we've never met, we can find their country on a map, and then - the history matters. Through historical fiction we can give voice those who will never have a chance to tell their story. That inspires me!
Thanks for asking!
More Answered Questions
Kirsty Mcdougall
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta Between shades of grey is one of a few books that have had a strong emotional impact upon me. I was alarmed by the lack of awareness there is about the suffering of people who were put in Soviet camps. I thought you reflected this greatly at the end where people buried time capsules. Do you think a lack of awareness remains an issue and in writing between shades of grey were you hoping to raise awareness?
Bailey
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! As someone who's family is still strongly connected to their Lithuanian heritage finding Between Shades of Grey was amazing because you don't see that country mentioned often. (My grandmother actually recommended it to me) All of your books seem to contain settings that we don't seem to hear a lot about, especially during the time frames you focus in on. What inspires you to select the settings you do?
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