YA Fresh

What's Fresh with Meg Cabot's Princess Mia!


A princess on her own . . .

Mia has been invited to speak at a gala for Domina Rei, an elite society of powerful businesswomen. But what could she possibly have to say? Now that Michael has broken things off, Mia can barely get out of bed, and her parents are making her see a therapist. School, where Lilly still refuses to speak to her and Lana suddenly wants to be bff, is a total nightmare. Even J.P.'s efforts to cheer Mia up (he's being really sweet!) aren't helping. What's a royal to do?

Just when things couldn't get worse, Mia uncovers an old family secret, a long-forgotten diary of a teenage princess of Genovia. It could be just the thing to help Mia write her speech—but it might also change the fate of the Renaldos forever.

Hello Meg, thank you for agreeing to chat with us at YA Fresh!

Meg: Thanks for having me!

Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share your typical writing day schedule.

Meg: Well, I usually open my laptop until around 9:30 or 10AM...although most of the first part of the morning is spent answering emails! I carry on until lunch, which I have with my husband downstairs (I write in my bedroom, in bed, usually). And then I go back to bed and keep writing or do publicity stuff until 5 or 6 o'clock, when I quit to see what's for dinner (my husband's a chef. Lucky me!!!).

That is lucky! Please tell us about your latest young adult title, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, Vol. IX: PRINCESS MIA, and what we can expect from your characters.

Meg: Well, in Princess Diaries IX, Mia is coping with a painful break up, betrayal by her best friend...and the discovery of a 400 year old document that may change the fate of her beloved country of Genovia forever!

Sounds like another great adventure for Mia! What's up next? Do you have another project in the works? If so, please tell us about it.

Meg: Right now my first middle grade book (for readers 8 and up) is in stores! I wrote "ALLIE FINKLE'S RULE FOR GIRLS; Moving Day" especially for readers who've always wanted to read my books for tween and teen readers but were always told they were too young. And in May, teen readers can look for AIRHEAD, the first book in a new romantic thriller series I'm writing, and in June, the last book in a trilogy for adult readers comes out, QUEEN OF BABBLE GETS HITCHED!

A very cool line-up, Meg! Thank you again for taking the time share with us. I wish you the best with all your books. Would you like to close with a writing tip?

Meg: Sure! If you want to be a writer, it helps if you...create a character who WANTS something. And I don't just mean a boyfriend. Give your character something to strive for, a goal beyond her romantic interest. This will allow your readers to root for her.

Meg Cabot is the bestselling author of over fifty books for tweens, teens, and adults. She lives in Key West with her husband and two cats. Visit her at www.megcabot.com.