NEW YORK - Before she grew up and became a Manhattan icon, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town Connecticut girl who dreamed of becoming a writer, made interesting fashion choices and had a crush on a boy named Sebastian Kydd who always kept her guessing.
"The Carrie Diaries," which came out Tuesday, is a prequel to "Sex and the City," focusing on Carrie's life as a 17-year-old.
"Sebastian Kydd...I guess he's the kid version of Mr. Big," author Candace Bushnell says with a laugh.
Like the adult Carrie, the 17-year-old version has a variety of friends and witty observations.
What the book doesn't have, though, are the sexcapades found in "Sex and the City." "The Carrie Diaries" is more, well, young adult.
"It really is about a 17-year-old ... and I certainly remember when I was 17. I didn't have all the answers," says Bushnell. "I certainly didn't know everything about sex."
Readers will learn what brought Carrie to New York City where she meets Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.
A sequel to the prequel is expected next year. Bushnell says she's already writing it and acknowledges it will be more mature.
"When I first moved to New York, it was eye-opening. ... She'll be in situations with adults and, you know, like a lot of young people you're terrified, you're fascinated and kind of horrified."
For those who can't wait to know what's in store for the adult Carrie, "Sex and the City 2" hits theaters next month.
