A quick foodie blog before I head off to speak on a panel called HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR with YA authors Jenny Ziegler, Melissa de la Cruz, and Lauren Myracle at 2 pm at the Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca St.)! Keep reading to find out how I discovered my love for Tex Mex "queso"!

Last night, I hung out with several YA and children's book authors at VINO VINO in the Hyde Park section of Austin. Hyde Park has these really pretty houses and tree-lined streets walking distance from some very cool night spots. It was Halloween night, so all the kids and grown-ups were dressed up in costume - it made for a festive evening! I highly recommend Vino for their expert wine staff, yummy appetizers, and a really friendly atmosphere. Go here to their website for more info: http://www.vinovinotx.com/

The authors I hung out with included:

VARIAN JOHNSON, author of the YA novel "My Life as a Rhombus." He's a Renaissance Man who is an expert civil engineer AND a fantastic author. His novel is actually written from the point of view of a young female teenager - I was amazed by how authentic the character's female point of view was! It's a touching novel about love and heartache and teen pregnancy... plus you learn some math along the way! For more information, please visit his website at: http://www.varianjohnson.com/

MARGO RABB, author of the poignant, funny, and hopeful novel "Cures for Haertbreak." A New Yorker who just moved to Austin, Margo is not only adorable but a sharp and intelligent award-winning writer who has been broadcast on NPR and published in the Best New American Voices. For more info, please check out her website at: http://www.margorabb.com/

JENNIFER ZIEGLER, author of the YA novel "How NOT to be Popular," a hilarious novel filled with angst, irony, and all sorts of goodies. She's a very witty, bubbly cool chick on top of being a great writer! She had me laughing all night with her hilarious comments. Please check out her website at: http://www.jenniferziegler.net/

TANYA LEE STONE, author of almost 90 ... yes NINETY... critically acclaimed books, from starred reviewed non-fiction children's books on everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to an upcoming bio on sculptor Alexander Calder to the YA novel "A Bad Boy Can Be Good For a Girl" which was just named to the Texas Tayshas List. Tanya teaches at Champlain College in Vermont. She had a cold last night but was  a good sport and trouper for hanging out so late - she's gracious and fun and very intelligent! For more info, check out her website at: http://www.tanyastone.com/

MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, author of a billion bestselling and acclaimed YA novel series, including "The Au Pairs" and "Blue Bloods." She's a very diverse writer who can write literary adult fiction novels to hipster YA novels, and all her books explore deep coming of age issues with engaging, feisty characters with unique voices. She's a fashion diva without the temper tantrums and a real intellectual with degrees in English and art history from Columbia University! We have know each other for a few years but have never had a chance to meet until this weekend... even though we live in California, we had to meet in person in Texas! How ironic! For more info, please check out her website at: http://www.melissa-delacruz.com/

I also met several other authors at the dinner party hosted by the Festival's literary director Clay Smith, including the amazing and gracious children's book illustrator DON TATE (website: http://www.dontate.com/) who is also published by my publisher Lee & Low Books, beautiful and talented YA novelist HEATHER VOGEL FREDERICK, author of "The Mother Daughter Book Club" series (website: http://www.heathervogelfrederick.com/) and fellow panelist and hipster chick LAUREN MYRACLE, author of the "TTYL" series as well as the "Eleven" books (website: http://www.laurenmyracle.com/)

Below are some pictures of the authors, including (L to R): Margo, Jennifer, Tanya, and Lauren!

We ate Tex Mex food, and what a delicious spread!

Having only had three hours sleep, I got back to the hotel before midnight. We drove past the Halloween crowds (they shut down the famous 6th Street so more than 100,000 people can party all night!) as well as the sold-out crowd leaving the Carrie Underwood concert!

Today, I met a good friend, also named Paula, who worked with me on The West Wing and is now working in Austin. She took me out for the best Tex Mex brunch on the south side of Austin. We ate at CURRA'S GRILL. I of course had to have my huevos rancheros (my favorite breakfast) and Paula introduced me to a specialty in Austin Tex Mex known as "chips with queso."

Queso is this almost soupy cheese spread filled with pico de gallo (tomatoes and onions). It was honestly the best. thing. I. have. ever. eaten. I could have drunk this entire bowl of cheese!!!!!! Below is a picture of it, and a shot of our bill - only $12.59 for our meals. I must move to AUSTIN yesterday!!!!! Thanks Paula for the yummy brunch! If you want to eat at Curra's, here's their website: http://www.currasgrill.com/

Well, I have to leave now for my book panel. I'll also be speaking later tonight at the "Not For Require Reading" panel from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Austin Bat Cave (1807 W. 11th St.), a non-profit organization that provides children and teenagers with opportunities to develop their creative and expository writing skills. Go here for more information: http://austinbatcave.org/

Stay tuned for more live blogging... still craving more QUESO!!!!