My family, they're story tellers. My mom is Irish, and my dad is Italian. In my family, we weren't allowed to watch TV while we ate - we had to sit around the table and tell stories about our day.

Writing used to be my hobby, but now that it's my job, I have no hobby - except watching TV and laying around the pool reading 'U.S. Weekly.' I have tried many hobbies, such as knitting, Pilates, ballet, yoga, and guitar, but none of them have taken.

My mother is Italian and my dad's Irish. In my family, we're expressive. Nobody holds back.

There will be no more British guys. Unless they are members of the royal family, of course.

My dad lives in Sicily, so I'm half Italian and half Irish - it's a fiery combination.

I was too lazy to start a whole new story, so I just stuck a princess into the story I was working on... and The Princess Diaries was born!