Alex asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta!! So exciting to see you are accepting questions. Mine is that I am interested in writing a book (or my part of the book) using the same multi-person narrative that you did. I enjoyed Salt to the Sea so much, and wondered if you had any advice on the best way to go about doing that? since your character narratives flowed so wonderfully well with each other, which made it so nice to read. Thank you!!

Ruta Sepetys Hi Alex!

So thrilled to hear that you are interested in writing a book using a multi-person narrative. It was a challenge at times during STS but overall, I really loved the process and the flexibility it gave me to be in someone else's head every chapter.

I wrote the book in the exact order that you read it, swapping voices each chapter. But sometimes I would go back and read through only Joana's chapters, for example, to make sure that they had continuity and flow. I found that helpful and did it often. That might help you make sure the voice is consistent too. Hope that helps and all best wishes. You'll do a great job!!

flag