A Chat with Ruta Sepetys

In my work this summer (and in my career as a preschool teacher in general), picture books are the focus. But, middle grade and young adult novels give me a unique joy as a reader, a teacher, and a writer. Once in a while, one of those books touches me in the far reaches of my heart and reminds me why I love to cuddle up on the couch with a good book. This month, I had the privilege of sitting down (in cyber-space) with Ruta Sepetys, author of Between Shades of Gray (don’t worry- absolutely NO relation to Fifty Shades of Grey!) and Out of the Easy.

Ruta came to speak about Between Shades of Gray in my children’s literature class during the year, and I just had to follow up after I read Out of the Easy. From the gripping first line, “My mother’s a prostitute,” to those final skin-tingling pages, I was hooked. I sat in my car one evening in May, telling myself I would get on the road after just this chapter or just the next- until I had finished the entire book right there in the Peabody parking lot. Then, I wrestled with my feelings on the ride home, glad to have followed Lina and Josie through to the end of their stories, but sad to have our relationships reach their natural end. Both books are set in an historical period, BSoG in World War II and its aftermath in a Siberian work camps and OotE in 1950’s French Quarter New Orleans, and both have some foundation in the reality of the era and its actors. Yet, their heroines have a depth and authenticity that can transcend generational and cultural boundaries and connect both emotionally and intellectually to modern readers. This puts author Ruta Sepetys in a unique position to provide young readers with valuable insight into the historical contexts through the eyes of these incredible heroines. I talked with Ruta about the roots of these tumultuous and inspirational stories and her journey as an author and advocate of children’s literature.

Photo by: Magda Starowieyska

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Your Career:

SJ- When did you first decide to pursue writing professionally?

RS - I decided to pursue writing professionally in 2005. I began attending conferences, joined a writing group, and began working on two manuscripts. 

I wrote mainly on the weekends because my job demanded most of my time. 

 SJ- What did that process look like (agents, publishers, etc.)?

RS - I began working with an agent in 2006. That summer I won a work-in-progress grant from SCBWI for "Between Shades of Gray." In 2007 my agent began shopping "Between Shades of Gray." It was a very long process and the book was rejected by many publishers. Then in late fall the book was picked up by Penguin. Although Penguin bought the book in 2007, it wasn't released until 2011. During that time my agent and editor both left the business to start a family. So the journey to publication was long and difficult, but of course worth it! 

SJ- How do the politics of the publishing business effect your works?

RS - I'm grateful to say that they don't affect my work much at all. My agent handles the business side of things which allows me to focus on writing. But I enjoy following the state of the industry and reading market reports.  

       

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Your Books:

SJ- The stories of Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy are so tied in with the true history and geography of the setting. Could you talk a bit about how these stories fit into the historical context and how that impacted the works themselves and your decision to write them?

RS - With "Out of the Easy," the story incorporates themes of feminism in historical context, identity, and Southern culture. "Between Shades of Gray" is focused on a very specific time period during and after WWII. My decision to write about these stories and time periods was based on the fact that both were full of secrets.  

SJ- Can you tell me a bit about your creative process (when/ where you write; how you bring ideas to fruition, etc.)?

RS - I don't have the luxury of waiting for the "muse" to arrive. Since I work and tour full time I have to be able to simply sit down and begin writing immediately. I try to get a draft on paper and then I revise and prune heavily. For me, a lot of the creativity comes during the revision process. I prefer to use a large chunk of time to write, but that's not always possible. If I only have a short window every day I try to write early in the morning. 

SJ- You talked in our class about how Between Shades of Gray is being implemented in the classroom. Have you seen that/ do you see a space for that with Out of the Easy?

RS - Yes! Many schools are bringing the book into the classroom. I've heard from some teachers who have incredibly creative ideas on how to use the novel and historical elements in the class.  

SJ- Your characters have such depth and authenticity that it was sometimes difficult to remember that they were not real. Yet, especially with Lina, the story is real. How do you work with young readers to help them recognize the truth and fantasy behind your historical fiction?''

RS - Thank you so much! I do a lot of research for my novels and aspects of characters are based on people I have interviewed. So, in a way, they are real. In order to help young readers navigate the fact within the fiction, we supply teachers with discussion guides that have been prepared by reading specialists. The guides list non-fiction sources for further reading.  

SJ- Both Lina and Josie are very strong female protagonists. To what extent was that a goal versus simply a by-product of the story you were trying to tell?

RS - It wasn't a specific goal, more a product of what the story called for. People who survived deportation to Siberia were extremely strong and courageous. Any young woman growing up around a brothel would also have to be strong.  

SJ- You discussed with our class the personal significance that Between Shades of Gray has for you. In what ways do you connect more/ less with Out of the Easy?

RS - More - because the setting is in the United States, which I'm much more familiar with. 

       Less - because  the main character doesn't have a sense of her family narrative. 

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The Wrap-up

SJ- What has been your greatest professional challenge?

RS - Probably the same as many writers, the challenge is time. I have over 35 publishers and each one needs specific things according to certain deadlines. I have to produce for each publisher while trying to write new books and balance my family. 

SJ- Your greatest triumph?

RS - Feedback from readers. I am so grateful when someone cares enough about the story to want to talk about it.  

SJ- If you could give one piece of advice to me as an aspiring children's book author (picture books/ YA/ & middle grad), what would it be?

RS - My one piece of advice would be to join a writing group. Getting early feedback about your work from people you trust is incredibly valuable.   

SJ- Is there any one message you want your readers to take away 

from your works? From you?

RS - I'd love for readers to view historical fiction in a new way. History isn't boring. It's full of secrets, scandal, and incredible stories of hope and courage. 

 

Many thanks to Ruta for taking the time to answer my questions. For anyone who hasn't met them yet, Lina and Josie are friends well worth making. I am already eagerly awaiting Ruta's next protagonist!

                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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