By Kim Childress

For many readers (myself included), Ruta’s stories don’t just entertain—they stay with you. I had the privilege of reviewing her debut novel in Girls’ Life, later met her (briefly) in person at a conference … (and yes, I was silently fan-girling). Though truly, some authors change the way we read. Ruta Sepetys is one of them.

What goes on in the mind of a brilliant mystery novelist of historical people, places, and events? How does she come up with her unforgetable characters and stories? Read on ...

On Writing for Adults:

Kim: Though your previous books have been young adult novels, they have had crossover into adult markets, and I wondered why made the decision to write Fortune of Sands for adults?

RS: Although much of my catalog is read by both teens and adults, the main characters in my young adult novels are always teens. But this series of historical events and the Prohibition-era setting called for an adult cast of characters.

The First Line

Kim: I was hooked from the first line. As a writer and editor, I understand the importance of the first line, the first page, and the first chapter. I was curious about whether you revised your first line along the way? If so, how many times?

RS: I wanted the opening line of the story to establish a tone of uncertainty while offering insight into the character who speaks the line. Yes, I generally revise the opening lines of my novels. The shape of the story develops over a very long period of time for me—often more than five years—so I usually revisit the opening line to make sure it reflects the story’s dimension.

Research and Discovery

Kim: I loved the information you shared in your Author’s Note (I didn’t grow up in MI, and just reading all of the places and people you visited made me want to go on a Fortune of Sands discovery tour.) You shared you had researched this novel for 10 years before writing, so you were also creating and writing other books at the same time. As an author, how did you balance researching for multiple titles at once? Also for other writers, I wondered if you might share a bit on your research process?

RS: I’m so grateful you enjoyed the Author’s Note! Because my research typically takes five to seven years, I often work on several projects at once. I usually have three to four topics I’m researching while drafting one novel and launching another. I find it challenging to write while traveling, but I can research while on the road, so that helps me balance the workload. In terms of my research process, it generally has three phases:

1. Phase one: Reading as much source material as I can find.
2. Phase two: Traveling to the sites I’m writing about.
3. Phase three: Interviewing and collaborating with subject matter experts.

Detroit in the 1920s

Kim: What aspects of Detroit in the 1920s fascinated you the most while researching the novel? How did you approach capturing the “glamor” versus the “grit?” Detroit's transformation into Motor City?

RS: What surprised me most was that much of the 1920s story we’ve accepted is incomplete. The information I uncovered was quite different than the dominant narrative of the era. We often regard the 1920s as a time of liberation with flappers, jazz and an unbridled sense of freedom. But my research uncovered something far more restrictive and fragile. And that juxtaposing tension of “glamour vs. grit” and “freedom vs. control” became central to the story.

Surprising Discoveries

Kim: During your research, did any of the stories you read about lead you to create/add to the storyline? Were there characters developed as a result of your continued research?

RS: Yes, there were characters who emerged from discoveries related to fraud and theft. And, of course, those dubious characters were so fun to write!

Character Development

Kim: I have to tell you, I loved every female character in the book. ALL of the characters were distinct and richly developed. But Marjorie, her sisters, Ivy, Lilah… I connected with all the women, and I love the development of their unique personalities and completely different approaches-philosophies-lifestyles of their times. The dialog and situations in the first parts of the book literally had me laughing out loud, which makes their end stories, and Marjorie’s loss of innocence, all the more tragic and powerful. How do you work to develop your characters? Which characters in this book did you most relate to personally?

RS: Thank you for noting the tonal shift as the story progresses. To introduce the characters, I intentionally chose a prose style that felt light and deceptively fizzy at the outset. From there, I carefully tracked and paced the characters’ evolutions and interactions so the reader would sense a gradual change in temperature and tone, as if the lights were beginning to flicker.

The character I most relate to is probably Chet. In many ways, she inhabits her own interior landscape.

Mystery Elements

KIm: FYI, I found the ending utterly satisfying, and the final reveal made me want to go back and read the entire novel again. Do you have a process for writing mysteries? Do you have the ultimate ending in mind and then go back and plant seeds? (I loved the ending twists. Really well done. All my predictions were wrong.)

RS: Thank you! I’m so glad you found the ending satisfying. As a historical novelist, I try to remain close to the factual outcomes of the events I’m researching. In this case, I spent years uncovering the fates of those involved in the criminal cases. Some were tragic, some were shocking. And once I discovered those truths, I then built an interwoven cast and narrative around them.

Backmatter

Kim: I see Fortune of Sand as having multiple strong themes, I especially was drawn to the treatment of women in the time period, the beginnings of the Suffragette movement, and also the rise of newspaper robber-barons. I LOVED the collaged images of newspaper articles and headlines at the end and wondered if you created those images?

RS: I’m thrilled the collaged images resonated! During my research, I relied heavily on newspaper archives. Some of the headlines and images in the papers from a century ago were so compelling that I began clipping them and requesting rights. Many of the news stories were so odd and shocking that I decided to include the headlines to emphasize that the events truly happened.

Kim: I love "paper craft."

The Power of Historical Fiction

Kim: Your novels often uncover little-known historical events and present them in deeply personal ways. Could you share for readers why you are passionate about historical fiction and the importance of historical fiction today?

RS: When history remains hidden in the shadows, the people connected to that history often feel misunderstood or forgotten. Historical fiction offers a window into overlooked moments and unique time periods and, ideally, inspires the reader to research and explore further. Many people don’t realize that Detroit was once considered “The Paris of the Midwest.” So, in this case, I hope readers ponder how a world that was once so vital, could ultimately vanish.

Final Thoughts - Fortune of Sands

Kim: For me, I learned a lot about and was fascinated by the transformation of Detroit from “Paris of the Midwest” to Motor City. What do you hope readers take away from A Fortune of Sand? Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about A Fortune of Sand, your writing process?

RS: I hope readers reflect on the idea of fortune vs. façade and consider examples, past or present, where a polished exterior may have concealed a more complex and unstable reality.

The Origin of a Story

Kim: Where does a new novel usually begin for you? Is it a historical event, a character voice, a place, or a question you want to explore?

RS: My stories begin with a historical event that surprises me and remains unknown to many.

Kim: I love this!

Writing Process

Kim: What does your writing routine look like? Are you someone who outlines extensively, or do you discover the story as you go?

RS: History provides a loose framework, and my research provides extensive detail. From there, I allow the characters, dialogue, and story to unfold and surprise me. That organic and surprising aspect, it’s my favorite part of the creative process!

Advice for Writers

Kim: Many aspiring writers love historical fiction but feel intimidated by the research. What advice would you give to writers who want to tell stories set in the past?

RS: Swap the word “research” for “investigation” and it becomes far more exciting. You’re a tireless investigator—uncovering clues, interviewing sources, and piecing together what’s lost.

Kim: Excellent advice, completely changes the game.

Influences

Which authors or books have most influenced you and your writing?

RS: Roald Dahl, Daphne du Maurier, Edith Wharton, John Fante, and Charles Dickens.

A Literary Dinner Guest

If you could have dinner with any character from literature, who would it be and why?

RS: Miss Havisham from Great Expectations. I’d love to interview her about her seclusion and her choice to wear only one shoe!

Sincere thanks to Ruta Sepetys for taking the time to share your valuable insights, and to Ballantine Books, for making the Ink-a-Dink May Book Giveaway Possible!

Kim Childress | Book Editor, Girls’ Life | Founder, Childress Ink & Ink-a-Dink Bookstore

Champion of Great Books for Young Readers