To want everyone to stop talking about trolls and hear about the AMAZING event that MNHQ organised yesterday

[MmeLindor]

Cause they really should have a day to celebrate and recover.

I attended the Blogfest yesterday and I hope other bloggers will come along and tell you their impressions.

It kicked of with a short speech from Justine (looking stunning in long black boots that showcased her 'gazelle legs' - Dilly's compliment)

She introduced Miriam Gonzales Durantez, who spoke movingly about the support she received on MN when she refused to be the typical politicians wife. She said 'women's rights are human rights' and spoke about her interest in Anthony Nolan trust.

Then we had a panel discussion with novelist Rachel Cusk, journalists Zoe Strimpel and Zoe Williams, with the Bloggess joining us via google hangout in Texas (in her pjs but fully made up)

The quote of the session was from Jenny, The Bloggess who spoke of being asked about her work as a Mummyblogger. She replied, 'don't call me Mommy, unless you came out of my vagina' to roars of approval from the crowd.

... Will add more. Any other attendees want to join in?

Liz also referred to herself as an artist. She should take up comedy writing.

I wasn't bitching about Liz Jones. I genuinely found her article interesting.

I know you weren't MissAnnersley , or rather suspected. I was definitely bitching about her though :)

The Liz Jones article in the Daily Mail, OBVIOUSLY, so don't click if you don't want to.

I've spotted a bad apostrophe, but it's in the picture caption so Liz probably didn't write it herself.

Makes me wish I had gone now, so that her "me and 300 mums" would be inaccurate.

I strongly disagree with the theory that all art must come out of suffering.

MissA
That wasn't a criticism of you (or anyone). I've decided not to focus on one negative aspect of the day, that's all.

And I'm not going to bash Liz. She does what she does and someone has to (as Caitlin said)

Btw, did you hear about Caitlin fellating a microphone?

Sorry, Trills

Trills
There were loads of non-mums there

Good - so she is wrong already :)

I thought she might have been.

Does she just accept invitations to anything, without doing the slightest bit of research on what it is? It sounds as if she heard the words "Mumsnet" and "bloggers" and practically wrote the article in advance on nothing more than those two words.

I will do my best to be a proper blogger by this time next year - - don't think I'll be a mum though. :)

The lineup sounds wonderful - Miriam Gonzales Durantez (or as I generally call her when people are listening - Miriam NotClegg) is great.

Caitlin Moran shows that you can be a very very successful writer and be warm, positive, funny, clever and positive. Pain, negativity and bitching about others all the time makes you look a bit of a tit.

Autumn
I was impressed by Caitlin. Between the jokes and the provocative behaviour there were great writing tips.

Yes, sometimes I forget that Caitlin really is a writer, not just a woman with funny hair clowning around. It seems as if everything she wrote just comes out like that with no thought, as if you were in the pub chatting.

Provocative behaviour??!!!

Really enjoyed the morning and blogged from it here but left at lunchtime because I couldn't cope with 300+ women crowding into lifts to the 29th floor (claustrophobic) and missed my goodie bag ! Would love to go again but not to that venue.......sorry I couldn't link to the Blogalong

Look, we all know that LJ article is inaccurate and abysmal so lets just gently stomp over it.

All she has (probably inadvertently) done is advertise Cambridge Mummy and a few others' blog. Anyone with sense knows that she is a sad, lonely, old lady.

I am glad those of you who went enjoyed it. Thanks for telling us about it mmeL

Sounds like a it was a really good event.

Fantastic day. Fave quotes: Zoe Williams: "I don't have much integrity at all" Tim Dowling, asked about whether he writes with a reader in mind, saying 'Yes, my wife' (aw). Caitlin Moran's new book is copyright 'casa bevron' (was in the goody bags).

Zoe Williams is even funnier in real life. In fact all three Zoe's were entertaining. Must be something in the name!

yws, thought that about the Zoes

Edam
were you there? Sorry I missed you.

Pity Cambridge Mummy felt the need to make personal comments about Liz Jones' personal appearance. Didn't endear her to me tbh

When I get to hell I hope I will find Liz Jones in a burka with three other wives similarly dressed and all walking with heads lowered six paces behind their husband.

I didn't get Caitlin Moran's new book - but I did get The Bloggess's book.

It sounds great. Go all you bloggers.