Gail Carson Levine's Blog

On December 2, 2011, writeforfun wrote, ...my writing buddy and I were talking about names, and since she's not a blogger, I thought I'd ask and see what you and the other bloggers thought on the subject. How important do you think the name of your book is? On one hand, it's just a name. But on the other, when you're at a library or bookstore, all you see is the spine of a book - just the name and the author, no description, no picture. How important do you think the name of a book is if you'...

For anyone in the area and able to come, on Saturday I’ll be at the Children’s Festival of Reading in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here’s a link to the event: http://knoxrooms.sirsi.net/rooms/html.... I’m speaking at 10:45 am and 12:45 pm and signing books after each presentation. If you come, please let me know you heard about it here.

On to the post topic, on November 27, 2011, Jenna Royal wrote, Does anyone have any thoughts on open or unresolved endings? I've been fascinated...

On November 14, 2011, writeforfun wrote, ...I've already read your extremely helpful section in Writing Magic about developing characters and I've filled out a character questionnaire for each of my characters, but they still seem sort of flat and Mary-Sue like, especially compared to the ones in my last book. I think part of my problem may be that they don't have lots of quirks and faults, despite my efforts to think up some and apply them. Any ideas on how to make these characters pop?
  ...

On November 2, 2011, Rina wrote, I need motivations for my villains, you see. If anyone has any good motivations for villains...?

This is a perfect companion question for last week’s post about backstories. Motivation can be backstory, or front story. Let’s put front story up front and take it first.

Here's an example:Training in alien communication at the Starship Academy begins with a placement exam, part of which is a chess game. First-year student Anthea intuits the meaning behind the game...

On October 31, 2011, writeforfun wrote, ...how do you know where to put those important backstories, the ones that are pivotal to a character? Is there any way to know, or do you just put it where it seems “right”?
There are lots of ways and places and times to work in a backstory, and I think where it seems right is a good guide.

You can do it in dialogue. For example, Elizabeth and Pamela are sleeping over at Marianne’s house. They’re in their pajamas in Marianne’s room. They’ve been friends...

First off, welliewalks’ comment last week about setting a goal to get something published before the next school year gave me an idea: how nice if you would post your publishing triumphs here so we can all bask in the reflected glory. Please do!

Now for the post. On October 20, 2011, Charlotte wrote, I've been thinking lately about tense, as in past or present. I've read some fantastic stuff in the present tense (read: THE HUNGER GAMES and other less fantastic things) and I've been wondering w...

On October 14, 2011, maybeawriter wrote, I have a problem with my stories. I like the ideas but the words never seem right. Please help!

I asked for clarification, and maybeawriter added, Well, it seems like they don't flow right or seems like there is another word that might fit in better, but I can't really think of any, like there could be a better word for just walking, or the feel of the water.

Word choice influences everything, but it especially affects voice, tone, and mood. I recently r...

On the evening of Friday, April 13th, I'll be speaking in Longmont, Colorado. If you can make it, check out the details on the Appearances page of my website (click on the right). Hope to see you there! 

On October 12, 2011, Elizabeth wrote, I'm working on a novella right now about dragons, Gail, and I was curious about your take on dealing with magical creatures, as my novella will have lots of them. Do you have any advice on how to deal with them? I'd be happy to hear what other people...

Our detour into my books is over, at least for now. Back to writing yours.

On October 14, 2011, Jenna Royal wrote, ...I have problems with filler scenes. They're important for the flow of the story - I can't have just conflict or it gets crazy, but the in-between is hard.
  
Then, on Feb 11, 2012, Brianna wrote, ....I've got a ton of ideas for big scenes that move the plot along, but obviously I can't jump from some guy threatening them in their house to her being shoved in a locker at school ...

First off, the lovely reviews that Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It has gotten are now posted on the website. You can visit them, if you like, and rejoice with me!

I believe this is the final post about my books, at least until more questions accumulate. The first questions come from Elizabeth: Does A Tale of Two Castles take place in the same world as Ella Enchanted? And does Ever take place in the same world as Ella Enchanted? Basically, how are all the different countries in your books related ...