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The most popular books with readers so far this year
Faye
Faye asked Erik Larson:

I am a huge fan, and I really enjoyed In the Garden of Beasts, how is it that you are able to convey non-fiction in such a way that it reads likes a compelling fiction?. I swear every time I pick up one of your books, I do nothing else for the next day or 2.

Erik Larson I'm so glad to hear it. The key thing is finding the right idea in the first place--something that lends itself to being told in narrative form, with a beginning, middle, and end. What's also crucial is that there be a deep, rich, textured body of original, archival material to support the telling of it. Because if you don't have the detail, you don't have the story.
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More Answered Questions

Kathleen Hall
Kathleen Hall asked Erik Larson:

Do you 'know' your characters when you begin or do they develop as you move the story forward? If the later, was there ever a time when you were shocked or surprised by the attitudes, reaction or voice of the character?

Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ asked Erik Larson:

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Jim Konzak
Jim Konzak asked Erik Larson:

Your books are always unique and captivating (thank you!) - I love the way you research what was previously undiscovered "diamonds" within the history. What was the biggest surprise or most interesting aspect of the story you found while researching the Lusitania?

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Erik Larson
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