“I didn't write professionally at first. It took me nine years to get anything published. At the beginning I mostly wrote picture books, which were rejected by every children's book publisher in America. The first book of mine to be accepted for publication was ELLA ENCHANTED, and not one but two publishers wanted it. That day, April 17, 1996, was one of the happiest in my life.” WritingYearsFirstsChildrenTwoBookWantedAmericaMinesAcceptedNineRejectedPublishersAprilPublicationEnchantedNine YearsChildren's BooksPicture Books Author:Gail Carson Levine
“I put my fingers around the unmarked ring of the spyglass and twisted. The scene became clear. Oh no! A hairy brown spider clung to a vine! I couldn't go there! I'd go to the desert to find a dragon. I began to reset the spyglass, but then I stopped myself. A spider was worse than a dragon? No. My first monsters would be spiders, then.” FirstsWould BeClearSceneFingersMonstersRingsDesertBrownDragonsSpidersTwistedVinesReset Author:Gail Carson Levine
“That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. She meant to bestow a gift. When I cried inconsolably through my first hour of life, my tears were her inspiration. Shaking her head sympathetically at Mother, the fairy touched my nose. "My gift is obedience. Ella will always be obedient. Now stop crying, child." I stopped.” FirstsChildrenInspirationMotherHoursCryTearsFoolLaysObedienceNosesCurseFairyTouchedCriedShakingObedientCrying Child Book:Ella Enchanted Source: Ella Enchanted
“No one is here," Char said. "You need resist temptation no longer." "Only if you slide too." "I'll go first so I can catch you at the bottom." He flew down so incautiously that I suspected him of years of practice in his own castle. It was my turn. The ride was a dream, longer and steeper than the rail at home. The hall rose to meet me, and Char was there. He caught me and spun me around.” IfsNeedsYearsFirstsSaidI CanHomeDreamTurnsPracticeRoseBottomCaughtTemptationHallsCastlesSlidesFlewRailSpun Author:Gail Carson Levine
