I was born and raised in The OC (although I never actually called it that until the TV show), and attended the Richard Nixon Elementary School for two years—a fact I find both amusing and embarrassing. After high school, I was desperate to flee suburbia and see the world, so after many trips to Europe I eventually settled in Mykonos, Greece for several years, before moving to Manhattan for several more, where I worked as a Flight Attendant for a major airline and wrote my debut novel, Faking 19, during long weather delays and boring layovers. Then one day I was visiting a friend in Newport Beach and I met my husband. And it wasn't long before I'd come full circle, setting up house right back in The OC where I live and write full time. Did you always want to be a writer? Well first I wanted to be a mermaid, and then a princess, but the day I finished my first Judy Blume book I knew I wanted to be a writer. I was always an avid reader, starting with Green Eggs and Ham, and progressing through Charlotte's Web, and all the Little House on the Prairie books. But it was Are you there God? It's me Margaret, and Deenie, that felt like they were written just for me, and my friends, and all the things we were going through. Those books made me realize how a story could be so much more. How much of your writing is based on your own experience as a child or teenager? Most of it! And although her experiences are pure fiction, Alex in Faking 19 is very much like I was back then—divorced parents, after school job, and just sort of lost and directionless. And like Rio, in Art Geeks and Prom Queens, I know what it's like to be the new girl, and to have all the other girls hate you. Can you give aspiring authors words of advice towards getting published? Nothing new here, just read, read, read! And then write. And then keep reading and writing until it all comes together. Try not to let the inevitable rejection letters get you down, and remember that in a seemingly endless stream of "no"—it only takes one "yes" to get you where you want to go. What was your favorite book as a child? I learned to read with Horton Hatches the Egg, and I still own the original! I even wrote my name on the inside cover, (though the S is backwards). Charlotte's Web is the first book that ever made me cry (I mean, I was sobbing!), and I think I've read Deenie at least 15 times (and I kept the original copy of that one as well)! Orange County has become increasingly popular in Pop Culture recently with shows like The OC and Laguna Beach. You're a resident of Laguna Beach yourself and both Laguna Cove and your last novel Art Geeks and Prom Queens where set in the area. What do you think makes the area so appealing to young people and adults alike? I think Orange County does a great job of fulfilling the California promise! It offers great weather, beautiful beaches, a laid back lifestyle, amazing shopping, good restaurants, and it's just a one to two hour drive to Los Angeles, the mountains, the lake, or the desert. I've lived in Mykonos and Manhattan as well, and while I loved both those places, I'm glad to be back in the OC! What is the one book no writer should be without? Story, by Robert Mckee. Mine is highlighted, stuffed with post it notes, dog-eared, coffee stained, and autographed (!)—And I couldn't live without it. What are some of your hobbies? Even after spending way too many years as a flight attendant, my number one hobby is still travel. Hence my travel size shampoo bottles are always filled up and ready to go on a moment's notice. What is your working environment like? A little home office with the usual things like desks, chairs, fax, phones, printers and computers, a bulletin board covered in images that inspire me, a recumbent bike where I catch up on all my magazine reading (I subscribe to everything!), and an ocean view I cover with closed blinds since I can't afford that kind of distraction! Since starting your career as an author, what would you say are some of the most important lessons you've learned? That I will always panic the week before a new book comes out, and that this is not likely to change. That the brilliant ideas that stop by in the middle of the night always disappear by morning. That it's never too late to follow your dream, though there's nothing wrong with getting a head start. What is your favorite word? Peace. What is your least favorite word? Cancer. Saturday evening. Going out or reading a book? Going out for a nice dinner, but still getting home early enough to read before bed! Holidays. Beach or Mountains? Even though I live at the beach, I still like to vacation at the beach! Country or City? I LOVE big cities! The energy, the shopping, the restaurants! Watching a movie. Comedy or Drama (or something else)? Dramedy! Shy or Easy-going? Easy going, with the occasional bout of inexplicable shyness. Serious or Funny? I'm always looking for the funny! Traveler or not? Traveler. Big time. Sporty or not? Clumsy, uncoordinated, and so not sporty! The leader in the group or not? Always the observer. Favorite... TV series: Tie between The Office and Entourage. Movie: I have so many favorites, but if I have to choose just one then, American Beauty. Book: This is torture! Again, I love so many books from so many genres! But since I've read Catcher in the Rye a gazillion times I'll pick that one. Music: Classic rock, '80's, blues, jazz... Food: French bistro. City: Paris! Favorite place to write in: My home office, it's got everything I need. Sentence or motto: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." —Yogi Berra What's the one question that no one ever asks you and you wish they would? Bono's on line two, he says he wants to take you to dinner. What should I tell him?