Kara DioGuardi admits it wasn't easy joining American Idol as the show's fourth judge.

"It was a little unnerving," the songwriter told reporters during a press call Thursday. "I didn't know where I was going to sit and when I was going to speak."

However, DioGuardi said she's slowly finding where she fits among Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

"I would say that Paula has a lot of heart. I would say that Simon pretty much tells it like it is. Sometimes he can be pretty harsh, but he's usually right," she said. "And Randy? He's the diplomat."

As for Kara?

"I don't mince words, but I do have a heart."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.