Pamela Bronson
asked
Gail Carson Levine:
I just finished rereading A Tale of Two Castles - thanks for the good read! I like how you turned the fairy tale on its head and made a whodunit out of it, too. I'm curious - how did you come up with the names Jonty Um, Menore, and so on? I think I can guess where you got Frair and Maydsin, and maybe Thiel's name, too.
Gail Carson Levine
The fairy tale "Puss 'N' Boots" was collected and published by Charles Perrault, who was French, so I decided to have a French naming theme in my novel. Menore is just for the sound, but Jonty Um is an Anglicized version of the French gentil homme, or gentleman. I'm glad you enjoyed the book!
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Lorena
asked
Gail Carson Levine:
My mother and I read Ella Enchanted together when I was six years old. It inspired me more than I can say. I'm twenty-two now and I still return to Ella, like to an old friend, for comfort and encouragement. Thank you for your work. It's played a huge role in my aspirations to become a writer. Any words of wisdom for a novice?
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