excited for this segment! My novel is a YA Fantasy with multiple POVs. Any advice on how to navigate their different story angles in a different world?
Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! My question is: If I’m writing a fantasy set in an actual historical time period, is there a guideline for how much of my details have to be historically correct and when I can blur the lines into fantastical details?
Jasmine
3 years ago
Hi Ms. Levine,
I was wondering, with Ella Enchanted and the rest of the books in the series that take place in that world – did you build the world before sitting to write the book (and to what detail), or did it come about organically?
Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today! I’m squeeing over here. 😀
When you set out to write Ella Enchanted, were you nervous about the world building and additions you planned to make to the classic fairy tale? Did you already know what Ella’s world would be like, or did you create it as you wrote?
Gwendolyn
3 years ago
What are your thoughts on creating unique animals/creatures/races? How would you do that, and how much of that should be included?
I’ve always written from singular POV, but do you think multiple POV could make it easier to flesh out character emotions/wants, and to show different views of a world that being created?
Gwendolyn
3 years ago
Hello!
What are your tips for writing a POV that isn’t human, like for example that of a mermaid or a dwarf?
Janine
3 years ago
What are your thoughts of Fantasy novels where the main character already has a decent command of their powers as opposed to finding out they were magical during the course of the story?
Hannah
3 years ago
Do you have any world building tips for fantasy worlds?
Samantha Sessoms
3 years ago
Thank you so, so much for doing this live Q&A session, Gail! I was wondering at what point in the world building process you say to yourself, okay that’s enough and actually stop. I’ve built my urban fantasy up for months now (while still outlining and drafting scenes), however it seems that every time I settle on another pillar or rule or situation it raises 10 more questions that need answered. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
Ashlyn
3 years ago
How do you know if your story should be first or third person? I’ve gotten gotten a few comments on one of mine (YA fantasy) that it might work better as first person (present tense?), but others think it’s fine as third. It’s a really big undertaking to change it, and I’d have to be sure.
Shanice
3 years ago
First, I loved Ella Enchanted, when I was 13. It, like so many other books made me want to become a writer.
Second, I am writing a sci-fi/dystopian novel set in the future, featuring a black girl who has to dismantle systemic racism. I have decided to depict certain things in a futuristic manner, like what would happen if racists and white supremacists had their way? What could happen if Trump managed to dismantle the fabric of our government, what would we be left with?
How can one girl with all the disadvantages of her race, rally others to fight back?
My question: What do you think the best way to answer all of these questions would be? Should I depict it through metaphor? i.e. red-lining is systemically racist, so now all the “wrong” kinds of minority get to live in horrible dilapidated housing wards, while the rich (those who benefit from generational wealth aka white people) get to live in this amazing city that stripped the wards of all of resources?
Heidi
3 years ago
Would you suggest writing one POV at a time instead of switching back and fourth in a daily writing session?
Elisha Jachetti
3 years ago
What was your experience with the adaptation of Ella Enchanted into a film? How did character change once there was a screenplay, actors, etc?
Dawn
3 years ago
Do you think the omniscient narrator is still being used and accepted in today’s market?
Do you think there are elements of fantasy that are played out? Such as dragons, fairies etc. If so, what do you think of creating completely new monsters and friends? Would readers enjoy such a thing?
I love the “traditional” type of fantasy type of characters but I don’t think any writer wants their book to be too similar to another’s book.
Janine
3 years ago
One thing that bothers me is in a fantasy world is when characters are described as “Asian” or “Hispanic”, etc, when there’s no link to Earth in the story. How do we go about describing the characters without relying on those terms?
Storyologist
3 years ago
I love hearing about your “wanderings” as you created Ella Enchanted. Can you talk a little more about your writing process?
Hannah
3 years ago
Is a story a fantasy if the creatures are given scientific explanations?
Okay, so since I don’t see tons of questions…I’m going to go ahead and ask something specific. My agent has recently taken a younger MG fairytale mashup out on submission. As we plan for a (hoped for) series, I find it difficult to balance the larger political and social movements behind the scenes that I as the author know, with the need to keep the story immediate and focused on my characters and audience. Thoughts?
Shanice
3 years ago
When you wrote the Princess Test, how did you come up with details as small as the shape of the toes of a princess?
How did you come up with the crocodile princess?
Where do you find these amazingly magical, but wonderfully simple details?
Hello Gail, I’m squealing in excitement that you’re here! Ella Enchanted was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and Ella’s “gift” inspired my main character’s “gift” that also has consequences. My WIP is a MG epic fantasy. For the MG age group, is there a thing as having too many fantasy elements?
Danica
3 years ago
How long does it take you to finish a story? (Not just the first draft, but any subsequent rewrites)?
Christine
3 years ago
Hey Gail! Thank you so much for allowing us to pick your brain! My question: when you were drafting up Ella Enchanted, did you outline thoroughly? Also, What mattered most to you? The fantasy world (like worldbuilding), or the characters?
One of my WIPS takes place in an alternative universe where there are many different cultures similar to our world (European, Asian, African, etc), and my main character is a “Hispanic” boy who refers to his grandma as Abuela (the Spanish word for grandma). I don’t have the talent to make up languages, and Abuela is the only non-English word I use. Should I weave more non-English words into my manuscript when writing about different cultures, or should I not have my MC call his grandma Abuela at all? What are your thoughts? (I don’t know if it matters, but I am multiracial and part of my heritage is Hispanic)
Danica
3 years ago
As a follow up to my earlier question of “How long does it take you to finish a story? (Not just the first draft, but any subsequent rewrites)?” — the reason I’m asking is because I’ve realized I am a much slower writer than a lot of people, and it’s kind of gotten me feeling down. I heard you say earlier in this stream that you wrote 300 pages multiple times and then rewrote them again and again — I found that really encouraging, considering all your success. Do you have any tips for persevering through rewrites? (I’m in the middle of one right now, and it’s slow going.) Also, thank you so much for your time.
Jasmine
3 years ago
Hello again!
I’m working on a novel now where the characters use science and engineering to defeat traditional fairy tale creatures (ogres, dragons, etc.). I love how your books take these traditional creatures and bring something new to them. Do you think that the contrast of defeating these conventional monsters in nonconventional ways (engineering) brings enough freshness to the fairy tale tropes, or do I need to take it a step further and make the monsters themselves less conventional as well? (I’m never sure where when to keep the traditional elements for familiarity, but I don’t want the book to feel “stale”).
Thank you again! It’s so exciting to be a part of this panel!
Heidi
3 years ago
What advice
do you have for writers who are querying and are feeling it’s pressure?
Gail, our writing group is watching together and we just wanted to say we love you, you’re our hero, and we wish we could send you long-distance hugs. Thank you so much for doing this talk!
excited for this segment! My novel is a YA Fantasy with multiple POVs. Any advice on how to navigate their different story angles in a different world?
on the same note; do you have any examples of fantasy books that may have multiple povs as well?
Great points! Thank you! Love Ella Enchanted 😀
Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! My question is: If I’m writing a fantasy set in an actual historical time period, is there a guideline for how much of my details have to be historically correct and when I can blur the lines into fantastical details?
Hi Ms. Levine,
I was wondering, with Ella Enchanted and the rest of the books in the series that take place in that world – did you build the world before sitting to write the book (and to what detail), or did it come about organically?
Thank you!
Jasmine
Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today! I’m squeeing over here. 😀
When you set out to write Ella Enchanted, were you nervous about the world building and additions you planned to make to the classic fairy tale? Did you already know what Ella’s world would be like, or did you create it as you wrote?
What are your thoughts on creating unique animals/creatures/races? How would you do that, and how much of that should be included?
How much of different animals, like how many animals should there be, etc.
Hi, Gail! Can you share any insights on tying together the magical elements of a story with the main character arc? Thanks so much!
I’ve always written from singular POV, but do you think multiple POV could make it easier to flesh out character emotions/wants, and to show different views of a world that being created?
Hello!
What are your tips for writing a POV that isn’t human, like for example that of a mermaid or a dwarf?
What are your thoughts of Fantasy novels where the main character already has a decent command of their powers as opposed to finding out they were magical during the course of the story?
Do you have any world building tips for fantasy worlds?
Thank you so, so much for doing this live Q&A session, Gail! I was wondering at what point in the world building process you say to yourself, okay that’s enough and actually stop. I’ve built my urban fantasy up for months now (while still outlining and drafting scenes), however it seems that every time I settle on another pillar or rule or situation it raises 10 more questions that need answered. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
How do you know if your story should be first or third person? I’ve gotten gotten a few comments on one of mine (YA fantasy) that it might work better as first person (present tense?), but others think it’s fine as third. It’s a really big undertaking to change it, and I’d have to be sure.
First, I loved Ella Enchanted, when I was 13. It, like so many other books made me want to become a writer.
Second, I am writing a sci-fi/dystopian novel set in the future, featuring a black girl who has to dismantle systemic racism. I have decided to depict certain things in a futuristic manner, like what would happen if racists and white supremacists had their way? What could happen if Trump managed to dismantle the fabric of our government, what would we be left with?
How can one girl with all the disadvantages of her race, rally others to fight back?
My question: What do you think the best way to answer all of these questions would be? Should I depict it through metaphor? i.e. red-lining is systemically racist, so now all the “wrong” kinds of minority get to live in horrible dilapidated housing wards, while the rich (those who benefit from generational wealth aka white people) get to live in this amazing city that stripped the wards of all of resources?
Would you suggest writing one POV at a time instead of switching back and fourth in a daily writing session?
What was your experience with the adaptation of Ella Enchanted into a film? How did character change once there was a screenplay, actors, etc?
Do you think the omniscient narrator is still being used and accepted in today’s market?
Thank you, Gail!
Do you have tips for developing magic systems?
Do you think there are elements of fantasy that are played out? Such as dragons, fairies etc. If so, what do you think of creating completely new monsters and friends? Would readers enjoy such a thing?
I love the “traditional” type of fantasy type of characters but I don’t think any writer wants their book to be too similar to another’s book.
One thing that bothers me is in a fantasy world is when characters are described as “Asian” or “Hispanic”, etc, when there’s no link to Earth in the story. How do we go about describing the characters without relying on those terms?
I love hearing about your “wanderings” as you created Ella Enchanted. Can you talk a little more about your writing process?
Is a story a fantasy if the creatures are given scientific explanations?
LOVE Beauty! Read it dozens of times.
Okay, so since I don’t see tons of questions…I’m going to go ahead and ask something specific. My agent has recently taken a younger MG fairytale mashup out on submission. As we plan for a (hoped for) series, I find it difficult to balance the larger political and social movements behind the scenes that I as the author know, with the need to keep the story immediate and focused on my characters and audience. Thoughts?
When you wrote the Princess Test, how did you come up with details as small as the shape of the toes of a princess?
How did you come up with the crocodile princess?
Where do you find these amazingly magical, but wonderfully simple details?
Hello Gail, I’m squealing in excitement that you’re here! Ella Enchanted was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and Ella’s “gift” inspired my main character’s “gift” that also has consequences. My WIP is a MG epic fantasy. For the MG age group, is there a thing as having too many fantasy elements?
How long does it take you to finish a story? (Not just the first draft, but any subsequent rewrites)?
Hey Gail! Thank you so much for allowing us to pick your brain! My question: when you were drafting up Ella Enchanted, did you outline thoroughly? Also, What mattered most to you? The fantasy world (like worldbuilding), or the characters?
One of my WIPS takes place in an alternative universe where there are many different cultures similar to our world (European, Asian, African, etc), and my main character is a “Hispanic” boy who refers to his grandma as Abuela (the Spanish word for grandma). I don’t have the talent to make up languages, and Abuela is the only non-English word I use. Should I weave more non-English words into my manuscript when writing about different cultures, or should I not have my MC call his grandma Abuela at all? What are your thoughts? (I don’t know if it matters, but I am multiracial and part of my heritage is Hispanic)
As a follow up to my earlier question of “How long does it take you to finish a story? (Not just the first draft, but any subsequent rewrites)?” — the reason I’m asking is because I’ve realized I am a much slower writer than a lot of people, and it’s kind of gotten me feeling down. I heard you say earlier in this stream that you wrote 300 pages multiple times and then rewrote them again and again — I found that really encouraging, considering all your success. Do you have any tips for persevering through rewrites? (I’m in the middle of one right now, and it’s slow going.) Also, thank you so much for your time.
Hello again!
I’m working on a novel now where the characters use science and engineering to defeat traditional fairy tale creatures (ogres, dragons, etc.). I love how your books take these traditional creatures and bring something new to them. Do you think that the contrast of defeating these conventional monsters in nonconventional ways (engineering) brings enough freshness to the fairy tale tropes, or do I need to take it a step further and make the monsters themselves less conventional as well? (I’m never sure where when to keep the traditional elements for familiarity, but I don’t want the book to feel “stale”).
Thank you again! It’s so exciting to be a part of this panel!
What advice
do you have for writers who are querying and are feeling it’s pressure?
Gail, our writing group is watching together and we just wanted to say we love you, you’re our hero, and we wish we could send you long-distance hugs. Thank you so much for doing this talk!
Thank you so much, Gail, for sharing your wisdom!
Who are your most favorite characters, and why? What turns a character into a” forever friend?”