MC: Sam is white in the book. However, given the dearth of strong female African American role models in film today, I am pleased a book I wrote is being adapted to feature one. And I think Raven is a good actress who will handle the part with aplomb.
SQ: How many bestsellers did it take before you were able to support yourself financially through book-writing? Details welcomed!
MC: No bestsellers. The film deal with Disney enabled me to quit my day job. After the film came out, the books became bestsellers, which kept me from having to go back to the day job. Which I sometimes miss.
SQ: Thanks for sharing that information! Do you have a literary agent and if so, who?
MC: Your welcome, and yes, I do, my agent is Laura Langlie. I found her through Jeff Herman's Guide to Agents, Editors, and Publishers. She was the very first industry professional to believe in my writing, and has remained my agent, and friend, ever since.
SQ: Your relationship with Laura sounds solid. How do you market your books and which ways work best?
MC: Well, my publisher does most of my marketing. I believe authors can help by being agreeable about going on book tours and making public appearances, and by keeping a strong online presence with a web site. In addition to my author site, www.megcabot.com, in June I started an online book club for teens (www.megcabotbookclub.com) that 7,000 readers have joined, which contains message boards, live chats, polls, and giveaways, and which I operate at my own expense.
SQ: Your website is definitely as interesting as it is generous. I have become sort-of addicted to it. As a prolific author with a close family (your husband and cat Henrietta), what tips can you offer other authors in keeping the romantic-zest / parental-ties alive?
MC: I am a strong believer in knowing when to keep your mouth shut. I know this sounds ironic coming from someone who is writing a series of books called Blabbermouth. But it's true.
SQ: Speaking from experience, it takes being a blabbermouth to worship the beauty of a closed mouth. (I have been clean for about ten years and only open it when vitally necessary.) How long does it typically take you to complete writing a book and will you share any writing techniques?
MC: I generally think about a book for months, even years, before I'm ready to sit down and write it. But once I do (sit down to write it) I generally finish it in two to three weeks. I type really fast. I also need lots of revision, which is why I'm lucky I have such great editors. I don't use note cards or outlines, but I probably should. My characters' eye color frequently changes midway through the manuscript or books series.
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