Meg Cabot
About Author
Meggin Cabot (aka Meg Cabot) was born on 1st February 1967, in Bloomington, Indiana. Her childhood was spent in pursuit of air conditioning, of which there was little at the time in Southern Indiana. A primary source proved to be the Monroe County Public Library, where Meggin whiled away many hours, reading the complete works of Jane Austen, Judy Blume and Barbara Cartland. It was around this time that Meg's desire to be a writer bloomed, a goal that was not forgotten, even when she fell in with the 'theatre crowd' in high school and went on to star inand design the sets for--productions such as The Good Doctor and Li'l Abner.
Nervous that her writing talent wasn't as great as her eye for design, Meg studied Fine Arts as opposed to English at Indiana University, then moved to New York City in 1989, intent in pursuing a career in freelance illustration. Assignments by MTV and Planned Parenthood soon followed. In September, 1994, however, spurred by the sudden death of her father, Meggin dusted off one of the many manuscripts she had penned in her spare time and began to look for representation. A brief career penning historical romances under another name followed until, prompted by her mother moving in with one of her former art professors, Meg wrote both The Princess Diaries and The Meditator, books which happen to be about, among other things, teenage girls dealing with unsettling family issues. Based on the success of these books, Meg dropped the pseudonym and the romance-writing careerbut not her love for a happy ending.
Meg Cabot lives in Key West, Florida with her husband and their one-eyed cat named Henrietta.
Author link
Interview
> 1. Did you enjoy seeing the Princess Diaries made into a film?
I was VERY excited when I found out Disney would be making a movie from my
book. And I thought Garry Marshall did a great job--and that Anne Hathaway
made the perfect Mia. At first I was a little iffy when I heard Julie
Andrews would be playing Grandmere--Julie is too nice to play such a mean
character! But when I saw Julie's performance, I knew she had just the
right amount of regalness mixed with grandmotherly warmth.
I am excited that Disney is planning a sequel!
> 2. Why do you use another name 'Patricia Cabot' when you write books
> for adults?
The reason I write under different names is because the books for adults,
which I write under my middle name, Patricia, are not necessarily
appropriate for younger readers. And the paranormal books I write for teens
under the name Jenny Carroll (my dead cat's name) also might be too scary
for some Meg Cabot readers. So this way everyone knows what they are
getting!
> 3. Is Mia based around someone you know?
The voice of Mia is taken directly from my own diaries that I kept when I
was in high school...I still have them, though I am the only one who will
ever be allowed to read them. I am only using the selective bits that won't
incriminate me.
> 4. Did you base Mia's experiences at school around your own? Where do
> you get your ideas from?
I was inspired to write the Princess Diaries when my mom, after the death of
my father, began dating one of my teachers, just as Mia's mom does in the
book! I have always had a "thing" for princesses (my parents used to joke
that when I was little, I did a lot of insisting that my "real" parents, the
kind and queen, were going to come get me soon) so I stuck a princess in the
book just for kicks...and VOILA! The Princess Diaries was born.
Most of what happens to Mia in all of the books actually happened to me at
one time or another...except the Princess stuff, of course.
> 5. Which do you prefer writing, books for adults or books for children?
I usually like whatever book I am currently working on best, whether it is
for adults or for children. I will say that children/teens write me
funnier/more interesting fan letters than adults do, and I prefer to go to
book signings for my kids/teen books more than I do for my adult books (kids
ask better questions).
> 6. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I always loved to write, but I didn't think someone like me, who didn't do
very well in school and wasn't a big reader, could ever be a writer. But
when my dad died, I realized we don't have a lot of time on this planet, and
if there is something you would like to try, you better do it now--what is
the worst that could happen? So the day I got home from his funeral, I sent
my first book, which I had written in my spare time at work, out to a
prospective agent...and the rest is history!
> 7. How can I improve my stories? I like writing but I can't always
> think of a way to end a story.
I never start a story until I know what is going to happen at the end for
this very reason. If you know the beginning and the end, the rest is easy!
So I would recommend restraining yourself from starting your story until you
know exactly how it ends. You can always change it midway through if you
get a better idea.
> 8. Do you ever get people asking you to write a story for them?
All the time! I always think people are better off writing their own
stories, though. It is hard for me, as a writer, to care about someone
else's story. I am only interested in my own!
> 9. What would you do if you weren't a writer?
I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I didn't make good enough grades. Then I
wanted to be a rock star, but I don't know how to play an instrument. I
guess if I weren't a writer, I would be an illustrator (I started out as one
when I moved to New York). I love to draw.
> 10. How long does it take to write a book?
It depends on how hard you work on it! If I work at a book very hard, I can
usually finish the first draft in about two weeks. But that is working all
day, every day, writing about 20 pages a day. Most writers I know like to
go a little slower than that. I finished Princess Diaries 4, Mia Goes
Fourth, which will be out this Fall, in about a month.
When did you start writing?
I have been writing stories since I learned to read! But I didn't get published until I was 30 (I got a lot of rejections up until then!)
What is your favourite book?
Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons.
Where do you get your ideas from?
From all over. For instance, I was inspired to write the Princess Diaries when my mom, after the death of my father, began dating one of my teachers, just as Mia's mom does in the book! I have always had a "thing" for princesses (my parents used to joke that when I was little, I did a lot of insisting that my "real" parents, the kind and queen, were going to come get me soon) so I stuck a princess in the book just for kicks...and VOILA! The Princess Diaries was born.
How long does it take you to write a book?
About a month. I have a pretty short attention span, so I tend to have to move on after about 4 weeks.
What top tips do you have for wannabe writers?
Some tips I would give to aspiring authors:
Write the kinds of stories you like to read. If you don't love what you're writing, no one else will, either.
Don't tell people you want to be a writer. Everyone will try to talk of you out of choosing a job with so little security! Just keep it to yourself, and be sure to get a job to fall back on if your writing career doesn't work out right away.
You are not a hundred dollar bill. Not everyone is going to like you...or your story. Do not take rejection personally.
If you are blocked on a story, there is probably something wrong with it. Take a few days off and put the story on a back burner for a while. Eventually, it will come to you.
Write all the time. Never stop sending out your stuff. Don't wait for a response after sending a story out...start a new story right away, then send that one out! If you are constantly writing and sending stuff out (don't forget to live your life, too, while you are doing this) eventually somebody will bite!
It is nearly impossible to get published these days without an agent. The guide I used to get mine was called the Jeff Herman Guide to Agents, Editors, and Publishers (there is probably a UK equivalent). It was well worth the money I spent on it, since it lists every agent in the business and what he or she is looking for. It also tells you how to write a query letter, what to expect from your publisher, and all sorts of good stuff...a must buy for any aspiring author!
And above all, become a good listener. In order to write believable dialogue, you need to listen to the conversations of the people around you--then try to imitate them!
Good luck, and keep writing! If I can do it, so can you!
What would you like to do if you weren't an author?
I would love to be either a singer/songwriter or a veterinarian.
1. What sign of the Zodiac were you born under?
Aquarius, Chinese Year of the Fire Horse
2. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Tortured by genius.
3. What kind of person were you at school?
Geek.
4. What are the best things about being an author or illustrator?
Get to wear pajamas to work.
5. What are the worst things about being an author or illustrator?
Rewrites!!!!!!!
6. Which book did you most enjoy writing or illustrating?
Princess Diaries 4, Mia Goes Fourth (or Princess in Waiting, here in the US)
7. What book would you most like to have written or illustrated?
The Bible, of course. It is the best selling book in the world! Think of
the royalty checques!!!!
8. Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Princess Leia.
9. Where do you do your writing or illustrating?
In bed.
10. What would you most like to change about yourself?
Tan instead of burn in the sun.
11. What is your most treasured possession?
My cat, Henrietta.
12. What do you do to cheer yourself up?
Eat chocolate.
13. What is your favourite food?
See above.
14. Describe your favourite journey. (20 words max.)
Get out of bed. Go down hall. Open fridge. Repeat as needed.
15. What is the least enjoyable job you've ever done?
Rax Roast Beef salad bar attendant.
16. If you hadn't been a writer what do you think you would be doing now?
Manager of Gap.
17. Your writer's writer or illustrator's illustrator?
Stella Gibbons.
18. What makes you laugh?
My husband.
19. What objects do you always keep on your desk?
Nail polish. Magic wand.
20. What is your favourite fantasy?
Stranded on desert island with A/C, built in pool, jacuzzi, satellite TV,
well-stocked fridge, and NO PHONE!!!!
21. What do you wish you were good at?
Math.
22. What is the most outrageous thing you've done?
Cannot write it here for fear of incriminating myself.
23. What did you want to be, as a child?
Cowgirl.
24. How do you relax?
Hot bath, good mystery novel.
25. Advice for aspiring writers?
Never believe anything anyone tells you.
26. Which person from the past would you like to meet?
Barbara Cartland.
27. Which person (living) would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
Nigella Lawson, if she had her deep fryer and Bounty bars with her.
28. In the event of a natural disaster what would you rescue from home?
Cat. Laptop. Husband. Not necessarily in that order of course.
29. What could you not live without?
Television. And antibiotics.
30. What was your favourite book as a child?
Castle of Lyr by Lloyd Alexander.
31. What is your favourite TV show?
Nigella Bites.
32. The party question - you're at a party and someone finds out what you
do. What is the question they invariably ask, and how do you answer them?
Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A: www.ideas.com
33. City or Country?
City.
34. What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Never pass a WC without going in. You never know when you'll find another
one.
35. Any regrets?
Yes, but I cannot list them here on the grounds that I might incriminate
myself.
36. Who would you give your last Rolo to?
My husband. Or my cat.
37. Knock, Knock or Doctor Doctor joke:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrupting cow wh--
MOO!!!!
38. Bizarre Bits?
I have hyperextended elbows.
I was the Indiana state high school singing champion two years in a row.
39. Your 2 'own' favourite books?
1. Princess Diaries 4, Mia Goes Fourth
2. All American Girl
40. Your 2 'others' favourite books?
1. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
2. My Brother Michael, Mary Stewart
41. The question we never asked?
Q: Are you really a princess?
A: Isn't everyone?
