Her weekly column, "Sex and the City", provides the narration for each episode. Bushnell also authored the young adult novels The Carrie Diaries and Summer and the City featuring the character. Candace Bushnell created Carrie who had no last name until the television series as a semi-autobiographical character for her column "Sex and the City" in The New York Observer so her parents would not be aware that they were reading about her sex life.
Bushnell's columns were later compiled into the book Sex and the City. Bushnell worked with television producer Darren Star to adapt the columns for television. The column centers on Carrie's personal experiences with dating and relations, as well as those of her close friends. It also includes her reflections on the dynamics between men and women in New York City. The column brings Carrie a degree of recognition in the city, some readers view her as an influential figure.
In the third season, her column is optioned for a film produced by Matthew McConaughey and by the fifth season, a selection of her columns is published as a book. At the end of season four, Carrie begins to write freelance articles for Vogue. Carrie is often led by her emotions, seeking validation and acceptance from romantic partners, such as Mr. Big, and from others. For example, she becomes fixated on a review her book received from book critic Michiko Kakutani in The New York Times.
In season one, Carrie relies on Mr. Big to reassure her of her importance in his life. At times, Carrie displays self-centered behaviors but rarely acknowledges it unless her friends point it out.
This blend of emotional vulnerability and humor, and exploration of issues like commitment within romantic relationship, make her a flawed but relatable character for viewers. Carrie occasionally smokes , preferring Marlboro Lights when she does. During seasons 3 and 4, she attempts to quit smoking using a nicotine patch while dating Aidan. She enjoys cocktails, particularly cosmopolitans, and her character's affinity for them is known to have contributed to the drink's popularity.
