Page 4 | AMA with author Hadley Freeman - Tuesday 23rd

NicolaDMumsnet · 2023-05-22T16:17:24+00:00

Hello, We’re pleased to announce that author Hadley Freeman will be doing an AMA *tomorrow evening (Tuesday 23rd)* in the wake of [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Girls-story-study-anorexia/dp/0008322678?&linkCode=ll1&tag=hadleyfreemanama-21 her latest book]] 'Good Girls: A Story and Study of Anorexia'. Good Girls is a searing and powerful memoir about mental ill health and her experience with anorexia. Hadley is a columnist and writer for the Sunday Times, and was previously a staff writer for The Guardian since 2000, where she won several journalism awards. She is the author of several books including House of Glass, a Sunday Times bestseller. *The AMA is now open for questions .* Please do post your questions below. Thanks, MNHQ.

NowWeHaveChichichat · 23/05/2023 19:56

Thank you for standing up for women and children’s rights. I stopped reading The Guardian after you spoke on Woman’s Hour about how they treated you.

Did you find it upsetting that Judy Blume sought to overcompensate for her quote supporting JKR in your interview with her?

Notagardener · 23/05/2023 19:56

What would you advice me as a parent of a girl trying to recover from anorexia and planning to go to uni next year.

TerrifiedandWorried · 23/05/2023 19:58

You are wonderful. Thank you for being you.

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:06

Bowednotbroken · 23/05/2023 19:54

Hello Hadley. I'm a big fan of your columns and really appreciate your common sense attitude towards gender ideology. Do you think you might write a book on that? I would certainly read it!

Thank you @Bowednotbroken
I suspect not, to be honest. I address it a bit in the new book, and think that's probably enough from me, books-wise

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:08

NowWeHaveChichichat · 23/05/2023 19:56

Thank you for standing up for women and children’s rights. I stopped reading The Guardian after you spoke on Woman’s Hour about how they treated you.

Did you find it upsetting that Judy Blume sought to overcompensate for her quote supporting JKR in your interview with her?

Thanks @NowWeHaveChichichat
Re Judy Blume, I think it's sad that so many people attacked a female author for standing up for another female author. Things between me and Judy are fine - as her people made very clear in their messages to me, they did not think I misquoted her, they just didn't like the quote being in the headline. Judy needed to deal with the attacks, and of course I get that. But I do think the attacks are insane

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arricu · 23/05/2023 20:09

HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:50

I just finished a memoir My Friend Anne Frank by Hannah Pick-Goslar, because I'm reviewing it for the Sunday Times. And I haven't just read it, but I'll mention it because I love it - I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait, which I ADORED.
I'd love to but I haven't been asked!

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Thank you Hadley, I’ll look at both of those :)

What’s your (other!) favourite column at the Times?

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:10

Notagardener · 23/05/2023 19:56

What would you advice me as a parent of a girl trying to recover from anorexia and planning to go to uni next year.

Hi @Notagardener
That's so great that your daughter wants to go to university - it shows she is fighting to have a healthy life beyond the anorexia. I would say to encourage her to go but also urge her, perhaps, to have people in place to help her if she struggles. I got weighed once a week by the local GP when I was at university, just to keep an eye on me (I turned my back on the scales so as not to see the numbers myself.) It never hurts to have a safety net

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arricu · 23/05/2023 20:11

What are your tips for creating a stress free approach to food at home? Especially when you have autistic girls at home…

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:11

Marmighty · 23/05/2023 19:55

I'm a big fan Hadley!

Lighthearted question from me: how much of a consumer of and/or contributor to mumsnet have you been before today?

Thank you @Marmighty !
I don't think I've been much of a contributor to Mumsnet before, but I've definitely been a consumer. I have three kids, so it's inevitable! And I've also seen the very kind threads on here about things I've written, for which I'm very grateful.

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boatyardblues · 23/05/2023 20:12

Another fan here! Thanks for your good sense and writing Hadley.

Having grown up in the UK, how does it feel when you are back in the US? Have we Brits rubbed off on you for better or worse?

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:13

arricu · 23/05/2023 20:09

Thank you Hadley, I’ll look at both of those :)

What’s your (other!) favourite column at the Times?

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Thanks again @arricu
I love so many columnists at The Times - Matthew Parris, Hugo Rifkind, Caitlin, James Marriott, etc. But if I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be Janice Turner

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:14

arricu · 23/05/2023 20:11

What are your tips for creating a stress free approach to food at home? Especially when you have autistic girls at home…

It's very hard @arricu , I know. I don't have much personal experience with dealing with kids with ASD, so I'm cautious about giving advice about that specifically. But in general, treating food as a pleasure and something that brings families together is always beneficial. Forcing kids to eat foods they don't like or want never works, in my experience.

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:16

boatyardblues · 23/05/2023 20:12

Another fan here! Thanks for your good sense and writing Hadley.

Having grown up in the UK, how does it feel when you are back in the US? Have we Brits rubbed off on you for better or worse?

Thanks @boatyardblues
I definitely feel more British than American at this point, and that's partly because America is so different than it was when I lived there. Guns weren't a worry when I was a kid there, and I could never have imagined a President Trump... It feels like a v different country to me now.

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 20:17

I'm going out to the pub with Justine now (yes, really!) I'll log back in when I'm back (and drunk) xx

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Villagetoraiseachild · 23/05/2023 20:17

It's so cool you're here Hadley!
No questions, Janice Turner also rocks!

NowWeHaveChichichat · 23/05/2023 20:18

Thanks for replying. I’m glad there was no ill feeling from Judy’s team, I was genuinely worried for you as I love her as much as you do! It was click-baity of the editors to have put the quote as the headline, it somewhat obscured the thoughtful insights in the rest of the article. Good that JB is supportive of JKR, I hope they’ve spoken since. (I may be over-invested here!)

BranstonPickleandPeanutButter · 23/05/2023 20:24

No questions, just to say that I admire you and think a lot of your articles and advice have helped me with my angsty teen. Enjoy drinks and cheers 🍻

Zhx3 · 23/05/2023 20:30

Thank you for the advice re. Journalism, Hadley.

You and Janice Turner are the main reasons that I subscribe to The Times.

RockaLock · 23/05/2023 20:48

I've really enjoyed reading your answers here, Hadley. I read House of Glass and thought it was excellent, and I love your columns.

Thank you for your stance on gender ideology and women's rights.

But seriously - Back to the Future is not in your top 4 1980s films?

ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 20:56

More people should do drunk webchats, IMO.

maudesvagina · 23/05/2023 21:07

Loved your books and live your columns. Thanks for standing up for women. If I wa say the oh. I would be embarrassingly fangirling.

euromum · 23/05/2023 21:18

Dear Hadley, I don't have any questions really but have been reading your columns for years and recently read Good Girls in under 24 hours, it was so exactly what I needed and it was so great to read from the perspective of someone who's voice I have known and trusted for a long time. My daughter (almost 16) is anorexic and although she hasn't had to be hospitalised and is making great efforts to get well, it's heartbreaking and horribly stressful to see how difficult it is for her. Your book was so helpful to read because it made me feel so much less alone, and as if maybe it will be possible to help her somehow. I am so glad you are well now and I hope you stay that way.

But also, is Back to the Future really not in your top 80s movies???? For shame!! 😁😁

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 21:34

euromum · 23/05/2023 21:18

Dear Hadley, I don't have any questions really but have been reading your columns for years and recently read Good Girls in under 24 hours, it was so exactly what I needed and it was so great to read from the perspective of someone who's voice I have known and trusted for a long time. My daughter (almost 16) is anorexic and although she hasn't had to be hospitalised and is making great efforts to get well, it's heartbreaking and horribly stressful to see how difficult it is for her. Your book was so helpful to read because it made me feel so much less alone, and as if maybe it will be possible to help her somehow. I am so glad you are well now and I hope you stay that way.

But also, is Back to the Future really not in your top 80s movies???? For shame!! 😁😁

Hi @euromum that's so great your daughter is trying to get better, and I'm really happy if my book has helped you in any way. You really are not alone.
And yes! You're so right! OK, second favourite 80s movies are When Harry Met Sally, Say Anything and Back to the Future. Phew!

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NowtSalamander · 23/05/2023 21:34

Hadley, I just wanted to add my fangirl appreciation with the other women on this thread. I feel a bit like you are one of the brave knights riding into war for those of us who don’t have a public voice and I wanted to say that appreciate it so much, always. I’m sure the slings and arrows hurt more than you let on. My Times sub is in honour of you and Janice!

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 21:35

OK, that seems like a good note to end on! Thanks so much, everyone at and on Mumsnet. This has been a lot of fun. See you on the message boards soon!
Hx

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