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Come and chat to best selling author Marian Keyes, Wednesday 10 June, 1-2pm

139 replies

TinaMumsnet · 18/05/2015 15:41

From bestselling author Marian Keyes comes a new laugh out loud novel about a very ordinary mum from Dublin, who's about to become the most influential women in the world. Well, for just a few moments anyway...

Click here to find out more and apply for one of fifty free copies.

Don't forget, if you're lucky enough to receive a copy of The Woman Who Stole My Life, we do ask that you tell us what you think about it on the thread below or in our Book reviews section.

This giveaway is now closed.

Marian will be joining us for a webchat on Wednesday 10 June between 1 and 2pm, post your questions on the thread below.

Come and chat to best selling author Marian Keyes, Wednesday 10 June, 1-2pm
OP posts:
sarsar123 · 10/06/2015 13:17

Do you have a favourite author?

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:16

@AssembleTheMinions

Hello Marian I am a huge fan. Rachel's holiday is one of the best books I have ever read. Her slow painful realisation of how bad her illness had got is extremely moving. Another huge favourite is Last Chance Saloon, every single character is brilliant, I can't pick a favourite Katherine with a K at the moment I never tire of rereading either of them.

My question is about Mammy Walsh, I loved her A to Z but I would love a whole story about her (or Daddy Walsh for that matter) Is there any possibility of that?

Thank you! Sadly no plans for a book starring Mammy Walsh - but there's a new book coming in which Mammy Walsh will play a big part. But never say never, and I love that people love her!

PS she's not entirely dissimilar to my own mammy...

sarsar123 · 10/06/2015 13:16

Marian. The Woman who stole my life....brilliant book. Easy to get into right from the start and easy to follow. Really enjoyed the plot. Stella was a great interesting character. I have read your other books too so was not surprised by how good this book was! Thank you again for another great read x

LadyCassandra · 10/06/2015 13:15

Hi Marian
I love you too! I have re-read Rachel's Holiday many many times and giggled myself silly over the plastic see-through inflatable couch!
My question is... What is your favourite biscuit? Grin

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:15

@Cocolepew

I read the book on the Kindle when it came out and I loved it.

Question is would you like to appear on Strictly and who would your partner be?
I have first dibs on Pasha btw Smile

Thanks for reading the book, I'm so grateful. I couldn't appear on Strictly because I'm such a huge fan and I'd be the fattest, clumsiest dancer they'd ever had - I'd be kicked out in the first round and the humilation would be too much to bear!

Pasha would be my LAST choice because I would faint every time in his presence - I just love him way too much. So you're welcome to him! Smile

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:13

@JuniDD

I love Marian and always buy her books in hard back.

My question is, what your current favourite make up/beauty item? Afraid I'm not on Twitter much now to get your recommendations and I miss them!

You are amazing! Xxx

It's called Estee Lauder Expert Liquid Tape - forgive me for being a boasty boaster but it's not out until September! I got it for free...but I have high hopes for the skin around my eyes, and I will report! And thank you very much Smile

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:11

@hawaiibaby

Hi Marian,

LOVE all of your books - currently reading The Woman Who Stole my Life which is stopping me from getting anything else done because I can't put it down!

I just wondered do you always start your books knowing what will happen with characters mapped out or is it more 'see where it takes you'?

Thanks!

I never know what's going to happen! It's always a voyage into the unknown. Which is kind of scary. But also interesting, and it means I have to keep writing to find out what happens. And thank you for being so lovely!

iloverolos · 10/06/2015 13:11

Thanks so much for the answer Marion.....Ned Mount IS an anagram of Tom Dunne!My cleverness at spotting the character inspiration is entirely cancelled out by my thickness at not spotting the obvious name!!

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:10

@Harleyjosh

In the spirit of Mumsnet. AIBU to laugh until the tears pour down my cheeks every time I read the 'mad fan' page from Rachel's Holiday. When she replies 'not so mad fan actually'. Brilliant.

YANBU! And thank you! Smile

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:09

@RedCrayons

Oh I love you Marian! I love you in twitter, especially during Strictly. And the glittering raffles. And tales of your mammy and the Redzers. .

Rachel's Holiday is one of my favourite books. Who doesn't love Luke!
My question - is your varnish museum actually real or are they all just shoved in a drawer in the bathroom?

It's in a handbag at the bottom of a wardrobe but the museum is real, oh yes! One day I hope to take it on the road...

hawaiibaby · 10/06/2015 13:09

Hi Marian,

LOVE all of your books - currently reading The Woman Who Stole my Life which is stopping me from getting anything else done because I can't put it down!

I just wondered do you always start your books knowing what will happen with characters mapped out or is it more 'see where it takes you'?

Thanks!

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:08

[quote BasinHaircut]I love you Marian.

I have a question.

When writing the earlier Walsh family books, did you always know that Helen would suffer from depression? Or was it something you decided when writing The Mystery of Mercy Close?

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:07

@FabulousFudge

What are your top tips for an aspiring writer? How do you write about gritty issues in an easy to read way and include humour too?

Don't be afraid. You don't need any qualifications but you do need discipline. Set aside time devoted to your writing, and try and make it the same time every day. A lot of people find that getting up early works best. Even if you sit there and write nothing, that time is for your writing. You don't need to know everything in advance, and you don't need to make everything perfect immediately.

Also it helps if you like the person you're writing about, adn if you know their world. And don't worry about people thinking that it's autobiographical - be as honest as you can be, about everything

I really wish you every joy and happiness, and success!

Ananke99 · 10/06/2015 13:05

Hi Marian,

Huge fan of your work, especially the books about Walsh family. Whenever I re-read one I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend! I love how you manage to make me laugh out loud on one page, and cry on the next, the way you blend such serious topics in with humour is so clever.

Do you have a favourite character from your books?

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:04

@Fiendarina

Hi Marian,

I loved seeing you on The Extra Slice after the Great British Bake Off, and really enjoy reading your Twitter feed.

However, do you find that Twitter and other internet stuff distract you from actual book writing, or do they provide fabulous fodder and inspiration?

I only ask because I can lose so much time on Twitter, Facebook and browsing the web when I should be much more productive...

I LOVE twitter. I get an awful lot of comfort for it, but I think it does actually stop me from writing, and I'm trying to be more disciplined about my time on it.

Sarahlouboo · 10/06/2015 13:03

I love Marian's men!

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:03

@ImperialBlether

Hi Marion. Thank you for coming on to Mumsnet to talk to us. If you thought Twitter was addictive, that is nothing compared to Mumsnet!

There are a lot of writers on this site and many of us are self publishing. Is that something you think you would have done at the start of your career if you struggled to get published in the traditional way?

Also (sorry for two questions) do you read your own reviews and if you do, do you believe them?

Oh and your husband, is Luke in Rachel's Holiday based on him? If so, I'm dead jealous! (Apart from the leather trousers, that is.)

Absolutely - if I had struggled to get published in the traditional way, I definitely would have gone down the self-publishing route. And I'd like to wish everyone luck who's writing and hoping to get published - keep the faith, keep doing it!

I don't track down my own reviews - if they're put in front of me, I will skim them. But I think good or bad - neither of them are good for the creative process. You've got to believe in your own vision.

And I suppose Luke isn't really based on my husband!

chocandchickpeas · 10/06/2015 13:02

Hi Marian,

Firstly, I just wanted to say that your books are my ultimate comfort items, in particular Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married. I try and reread at least once or twice a year (little bit in love with Daniel).

I was wondering which male character was most interesting/enjoyable to write about and which man is your favourite?

JP12345 · 10/06/2015 13:01

Also, I have recently moved to live in Ireland, and love the way you use locations and language...

How do you see Ireland and Irishness working for you in your books?

Lepreporn · 10/06/2015 13:01

Hi Marian
I have been a huge fan of yours since the beginning.
I would like to ask you have you a favourite cake you like to bake?
Thanks

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:00

@iloverolos

Hi Marian, another huge fan here, I just finished "The Woman who stole my life" I loved it, my question is this: is the(twinkly eyed, ex rock star generally gorgeous) Ned Mount character based even a teensy bit on lovely Tom Dunne?Grin

Yes - Ned Mount is entirely inspired by Tom Dunne - Ned Mount is actually an anagram of Tom Dunne!

CornChips · 10/06/2015 12:59

Marian, I have no question, just to say I really love your books. I had never read your work, then 12 years ago was horrifically dumped by an emotionally and sometimes physically abusive ex. I went to Sharm El Sheikh on my own for 7 days, took a pile of your books that a friend foisted upon me... she insisted to trust her judgment and to just read them, and I started to heal. :)

I am a MASSIVE fan. :)

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 12:59

Hi it's Marian here - I'm really excited, so feel free to ask me anything and I'll do my best to answer!

JP12345 · 10/06/2015 12:58

Marian, I am a new and enthusiastic fan. This Charming Man captivated me and I think it's a great great book...

What has been your favourite book to write and which do you consider your "best"... and why?

ASNMara · 10/06/2015 12:33

Hi Marian thank you so much for taking the time to do a chat on MumsNet and I hope these wonderful people are as kind to you as they were to me when I did my webchat a few months back. I'm also really looking forward to reading your new book.

My question is to you as a woman living in Ireland. Amnesty International released a report into abortion in Ireland yesterday, entitled She Is Not A Criminal. I know your books have dealt with unplanned pregnancy in the past, but in real life, do you have any thoughts about the abortion laws in Ireland, and whether there is anything that you would encourage your readers (many of whom will have had to make the trip to England to get care) to do?