Mumsnet Talk

ohhhhhh OOOOOoooohhhhhhhhhhh

<tries to think of question that makes self not look a fricking numpty>

Wahey! Well done MN

SCREAM!

Oh WOW

I have a question:

Do you relate to people in the flesh as you do on the page? eg at the school gate, with clusters of mothers you may not know that well. Do you spout forth or nod and smile?

Loving your stuff, btw. <gush>

Oh I LUFF Caitlin Moran!

<clears throat and stands up for fawning question a la Prime Minister's Question Time>

Caitlin, do you agree that your excellent book "How to be a woman" should be required reading for all girls aged 13 and older?

I have two teenage cousins and I can't help thinking that reading it would save them some of the heartache I endured.

<sneakily slips in second question> Can we go drinking together?

Caitlin, you are amazing and funny and I am more than a little in love with you. I saw you talk at the Hay festival (and walked past you and nearly died of excitement. We followed you to tell you how fab you are but you managed to escape).

My question is:

If you could give your 8 year old self one bit of advice what would it be? Would you consider writing a guide to life for girls that age? My DD is 8 and is finding life hard...I would give her How to be a Woman to read but it I think it would scare her. And her language is quite foul enough already.

(I know that is two questions but it is kind of one in two parts)

A bit navel gazing - but are you a Mumsnetter? Someone once told me in hushed tones that you were a regular once upon a time? If so what do you think of it?

Hi Caitlin. I'm a big fan of your writing and loved How To Be A Woman.

The only bit I wasn't convinced about was the chapter on Lady Gaga. Do you really think she can be classed as a feminist icon? I watch her videos and think, 'Oh, put some bloody clothes on, woman' - same as with Rihanna or any of those other pop tarts. I find it really sad the way female musicians feel they have to take their clothes off and act all sexy to sell records. What do you think?

Big fan here too esp of celebwatch .

As a twitter follower, I admire your comments on various Internet shopping sites. But how do you manage to drag yourself away fit that in with writing a column?

<casual>

Hi Caitlin.

I read How To Be A Woman while on Holiday last year and loved it. I am about to ask my son (15) to have a read as I feel that it would be really valuable for him as I can't seem to find anything else that is such good fun and easy to read on the subject of feminism.

My question is, have you encountered much of a backlash from How To Be A Woman?

I TOTALLY LOVE YOU BTW

Shit, blew my casual cover

Oops, meant pop stars, not pop tarts

Caitlin - your columns make me chortle with laughter and remind me to keep doing my pelvic floor exercises. Who or what makes you laugh pant-wettingly hard?

I am interested in your story of being autonomously educated as a child, that you & your very many siblings all turned out "okay" from it. I mean, do you feel like you were all well prepared for adult life? How are you & they educating own children now, have any chosen to HE own children?

Dear Caitlin, will you merry me?

So I just wanted to ask you for any advice you can give for the starting up writer. Any tips, clues, names, email addresses. etc. I know you started your career (wheey!) very early on and times had changed but as you're in the business you may know IT ALL.

I'm also 11 weeks pregnant and worried as f* about money, stiches, tears and everything else. Will it be ok? Will you come give me hug and drink coffee with me? Poke me on Facebook?

I saw you at the Cheltenham Literature Festival a year ago with Grace Dent and you said you would never appear on a panel show such as Mock the Week as they still such chauvinistic minefields. Have you changed your mind at all? Come on we need you to break down the barrier and you are the woman to do it!

PS Am coming to see you again this year at Cheltenham! Let's all stand on chairs again!

Caitlin, I think you're brilliant and loved your column before it disappeared behind the paywall and your book.

I agree with others that your book should be required reading for all teens.

What would you say to accusations that How to Be a Woman is patriarchally approved feminism? More specifically your views on pornography and that there is nothing really wrong with it. I think in your book you said something along the lines of "it's just fucking." Does that not just ignore that many women in the industry have been abused or are being coerced? Or any of the other issues that feminists have with porn?

It's the one point I've read over and over again WRT How to Be a Woman... that many people enjoyed it but just couldn't see eye to eye with you regarding pornography which could be what leads people to say it is patriarchally approved feminism.

Hi Caitlin,
I think you're totally ace. Actually, no I don't. I KNOW it.
My question is a bit strange: As you're such a livewire, how do you relax? Do you sleep ok?
(I'm having trouble with that at the mo)
Thanks!

Dear Caitlin

As someone like myself who was brought up in social housing, what do you think of this current idea to negate the shortage of social housing by building a 21st Century version of the prefab?

Thanks

Hi Caitlin, what' s your favourite biscuit? Also where do you get hair done?

What are you wearing? <in a NON-pervy way, despite being big, huge fan>

Ooo yay!
LOVED the book and I gave a copy to my 18 yo, just-off-to-university sister and hope it'll stand her in good stead.
Caitlin, as the mother of young girls, what do you think are the most important things you can teach them?
Also <shallow>, that fab necklace you're wearing on the cover- where can I get me one of them? My friend adores it and I'd be forever in your debt...

Hi Caitlin, hope you're well!

I would like to know if you think The Sun's Page 3 should be banned.
If so, why, and if not, why not?

Thanks!