Blog Tour: MEG CABOT's QUEEN OF BABBLE
NOTE: If you are reading this in an RSS reader (particularly Bloglines), this post isn't displaying correctly. In fact, you lose the entire opener to the Meg Cabot interview. So, to get the full post, please click over the the real blog! Thanks!As alluded to in an earlier post, I'm very honored to have Meg Cabot here for an a little girl talk about her latest novel QUEEN OF BABBLE. (I mean, seriously, can you believe it? I am still slack-jawed and numb myself). And really, this is a first time for me, I've been an interviewer. Meg? Was as gracious as ever... see for yourself, as I'm still hopping around doing the happy dance.
Oh, and if you read to the end of this interview, I might have a little extra somethin', somethin' for y'all. Well that is if you do a little blabbin' yourself for me.
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Hi Meg (if I can call you by your first name basis. I mean we are both author's right? So the first-name-basis-thingie should be proper. I hope)!I can't tell you how delighted I am to interview you for my blog. In fact, my jaw nearly hit my keyboard, since I am a mere small-time blogger with big dreams towards being a novelist--and here Meg Cabot (THE Meg Cabot with a gazillion novels under her belt like THE PRINCESS DIARIES Series, 1-800 Series, oh and SIZE 12 IS NOT FAT (Heather Wells Series), and SHE WENT ALL THE WAY) is on a blog tour and I'm helping? Yes, I'm a fan (but not in an overly obsessed stalker type way, I swear). I'm still in shock. Interview. Freebie of your latest book, QUEEN OF BABBLE. Well, I think I was catapulted into writer heaven. Or at least my version of it.
Anyway, my star-struck famous author visiting my blog babble must stop, as I know you are a busy woman--and I've got 5 questions to be answered. So, here they are:
1. First, QUEEN OF BABBLE was absolutely adorable. I mean, who wouldn't love Lizzie's diarrhea of the mouth (okay, that is my term, not yours).
Awww, thanks!
But it's true! That girl talks. And doesn't know when to stop. I mean, speaking from experience here, I think I've done myself "in" on more than one occasion due to the same sorta relationship with my conscience and mouth speaking. So, for the first question, tell me, are you a babbler like Lizzie?
Sadly, yes. The books are a LITTLE bit autobiographical. Just a little.
And (somehow I think you might be) please share, is there every a time when you let TOO much spill from your lips and what kind of trouble did it get you into?
Wow, it's kind of hard to pick out just one because there have been SO many occasions and of course they're so numerous (and embarrassing) I try to block them out as soon as possible. And of course I probably shouldn't mention anything that will upset my friends or family members or publishers (again). But I did used to work in the manager's office of a dorm at New York University where we would counsel students, and we had this confidentiality policy--we weren't supposed to talk about what the students told us to anyone outside the office. But it was all so dishy! I would tell EVERYONE! It was awful. I came so close to being fired so many times.
Then, when I finally quit, I couldn't resist stealing a bunch of the most outstandingly awesome olfd student files to use as inspiration for future books. My favorite is the one featuring Polaroids of a guy who passed out early during an illegal keg party, so his roommates put him--unconscious--in the elevator. He rode up and down all night long and never even knew it. In his Superman Underoos.
I hope my former employers never find out I have that.
Oops.
2. Along that same vein, was it that foot-in-mouth mistake that lead you to write QUEEN OF BABBLE? I'm always dying to know what inspired a book to be written. Was it the character of Lizzie? The What-if Scenario of a girl that just can't stop speaking her mind?
3. I see there is a sequel coming (how could I *not* notice), QUEEN OF BABBLE IN THE BIG CITY, was this always in the plans when you wrote the first book? I ask because you are known for many books (over 40!) and many part of a series of books. As an author myself, I'm always curious about the intentions of books from the get go? And how series of books are born? Are the planned? Do the characters suddenly become loved by the author (and editorial team) that you JUST HAVE TO write another follow up book? Please share. Because right now, I'd dive right into the next Lizzie book in a heartbeat and I think there might be others like me!
I hate secrets...I find them burdensome and feel this painful NEED to unload them as soon as they are revealed to me. I like to tell myself it's because I've seen what secrets can do to families, and how much simpler and better it is to just have everything out in the open and dealt with from the beginning (unless they're the hurtful kind of secrets, of course). But I don't know. I think it's just because I love calling my friends and going, "You will NEVER believe this!" Although I do feel horrible AFTER I blab something I promised not to tell. And yet, for some reason, people keep on telling their secrets to me, knowing full well I will tell everyone.
I wanted to write a book about a girl like me, because I'm tired of reading about noble heroines who keep everyone's secrets and don't blab out things without thinking, because that's so not me. I can't relate! I WISH I could be like those girls. But I never will be, I'm afraid.
Well, thanks! No, I definitely planned out a trilogy of books about Lizzie from the beginning, and submitted a three book proposal to my editor right off the bat--Queen of Babble (the first book, which is out in paperback now), Queen of Babble in the Big City (out in hardback on the June 26), and Queen of Babble Gets Hitched, which I'm writing right now, and will be out next year at this time.
I don't know why, but I always know from the inception of the idea for a book if it's going to be a stand alone or a series. I knew when I got the idea for Queen of Babble that it would be a series. Three books seemed about right to tell all of Lizzie's tale. Same with Princess Diaries (10 books), the Mediator series, etc.
The bad part is when I envision a book as being a stand alone--like my 2005 teen release, Avalon High, and readers want a sequel...and I can't think of one! Because if I had envisioned a sequel, usually I'd have pitched the book as a series from the beginning. Fortunately I thought of a sequel (a mini-one...it's going to be a graphic novel, Avalon High 2, Coronation, out July 3). But I usually can never think of a sequel unless I've planned them out from the start.
4. I can't help but ask a more personal question as well, what superpowers do you wish you could have? Me? I'm thinking super-speed might do me well--I've got a 4 year old and another along the way, 2 cats, a dog, a husband, a house, a day job... well you get the idea. But really, what super power would you want and why?
It isn't really a superpower, but I wish I could fall asleep like a normal person! I have had insomnia since I was 12. I so envy nappers or anyone who can fall asleep without the aid of drugs. I've tried everything...giving up caffeine, drinking warm milk, baths, herbs, special teas, ear plugs, noise machines, special pillows, humidifiers, lowering my thermostat to 68 (ideal sleep temperature), kicking my husband out and sleeping in my own room, kicking the cat out, Sominex, Benadryl, Unisom, melatonin, kava kava, Ambien, you name it, for years. I would love the superpower of being able to doze off naturally whenever I want. That would be bliss! But I don't think it will ever happen without being bitten by a radioactive spider.
5. And lastly (because I know I've babbled myself a bit and you've got many other blogs to hit), what's your most unfavorite word ever? You know... the one that you just can't stand uttered from anyone's lips (or typed on a page), like fingers scraping on a chalk board?
It's not a word, it's a phrase. I hate the phrase, "I don't mean to be rude, but...." I was always taught that if you have to preface something with that phrase, you DO mean to be rude, so you should keep it to yourself! But no one ever seems to. They just blurt it out, apparently thinking that because they said they didn't mean to be rude, that absolves them. Well, it doesn't. Argh! I hate that.Thanks again for your time. Honestly, this has just been a blast! Wish you continued success with ALL your books, and know, I'll be here still reading!
Thank YOU! I wish I could have thought of a better blabby secret to share, but I don't want to get any more friends/relatives mad at me.********
See? Wasn't that just FABULOUS? Honestly, best interview I've ever conducted (but I guess after a career of interviewing engineers for user guide content, there isn't even a comparison). So thanks again Meg! This was wonderful
And yes, QUEEN OF BABBLE is absolutely charming, fun, witty, and all the things you would expect. Great beach read that keeps you giggling all the way to the last page. Really. So please, go check out the book. And of course Meg. How can you not love her? Here's the linkage to get you all hooked up:
- Meg's Official Website
- Meg's blog (and yes, it is as fun as she is. Check it out!)
- Can't get enough of Meg yet? Check out her bio. It's more of an inside peek at the author.
- Amazon link to QUEEN OF BABBLE (you know, so you can buy it now)
**Oh and for the extra icing on the cake? Well, it's simple. Give me your Biggest Babble Moment in the comments (or a link to a blog post about it) and I'll do a little random drawing for the winner of your very own copy of QUEEN OF BABBLE. It's a great read, and hell, I'm all about sharing the laughs. So, get writing! I want to the worst of the worst stories you can dish out (we're all friends here, so no holding back)!
Updated: DEADLINE for the Biggest Babble Moment contest, Friday, June 15, at midnight CST. Please keep the moments coming (glad I'm not the only one either)!
