Writer, Gayle began her life by writing articles on youth and social issues in Seventeen Magazine, after which she worked as a journalist for a while. She and her husband, Nick, made a trip around the world, which gave her tremendous experience and information that enabled her to write her first novel, entitled You Can't Get There from Here. It was followed by several other works, including the book that was turned into a movie, entitled If I Stay. In which she collaborated with screenwriter Shauna Cross.