TN: Any sneak previews you can share with ThisNext readers?
MC: Look for the sequel to Queen of Babble, Queen of Babble in the Big City, in bookstore June 26, 2007! ? And on July 3, look for my first graphic novel, Avalon High, Coronation, as well as my next teen paranormal novel, Jinx, in stores July 31, followed by Big Boned, the follow up to Size 14 is Not Fat Either, in stores in November, and Princess Diaries 9, Princess Mia, in stores in December!

TN: Biggest response a product of yours has received from consumers?
MC: #1 New York Times bestseller

TN: The product that’s had the biggest influence on your writing
MC: Mac Powerbook.

TN: When and why did you decide to be a writer
MC: I’ve loved to write since I figured out how to do it, when I was 7.  It never occurred to me to try writing professionally until my husband urged me to send out some of the books I was penning when I was 26 and our Visa bill was in the thousands thanks to my love for Parade of Shoes. I still got nothing but rejection letters for many years.  I wrote historical romances under a pen name for a while before The Princess Diaries, my first book under my real name, came out.

TN: How close are you to your characters?
MC: My books are highly autobiographical.  I am, of course, both a princess and a queen in real life. 

TN: Why did you decide to move from your Princess Diaries to adult fiction?
MC: Actually, I wrote adult fiction first.  I started writing YA fiction for kicks. I’m just better known for my YA fiction.

TN: If you were a book, you’d be a ________. ?
MC: Neiman Marcus catalog. 

TN: Your favorite product discovery in the last six months… Or something that inspired you?
MC: Clinique Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy Lip Gloss

TN: Most prized possession?
MC: Mac Powerbook. 

TN: A product love secret you’re too embarrassed to share?
MC: Henrietta’s Chocolate Dipped Coconut Strips. Ha ha now you will love them too.

TN: Name an item under your bed?
MC: Dust bunnies.

TN: Something in your closet that is not apparel, shoes, bags, etc.?
MC: I have a minifridge filled with Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water in individual bottles. 

TN: Fav trend for spring?
MC: Right now I am into Chetta B by Sherrie Bloom and Peter Noviello.

TN: Least fav trend for spring?
MC: Anything with Juicy written on it.

TN: Can’t leave home without my______?
MC: Ambien.

TN: City or suburbs?
MC: Suburbs never! City or countryside only.

TN: Loft or the perfect house with the white picket fence?
MC: Actually, I own one of both.  Neither is perfect. Both leak.

TN: Flip-flops or sneakers?
MC: Dr. Scholl’s original women’s wood exercise sandal. 

TN: Coffee or tea?
MC: Tea, earl grey with milk, thank you.

TN: Princess Diaries or Queen of Babble?
MC: Please! I love all my books the same, just like your mother loved all her kids the same.  Or so she claims.