September book of the month: THE ONE PLUS ONE by Jojo Moyes. Read and join Jojo for webchat on 30 September, 9-10pm

[NataliaMumsnet]

Jojo Moyes' Me Before You was a phenomena with over 3 million copies sold worldwide. Fans are in for a treat this summer with her latest novel The One Plus One which follows the story of a relentlessly determined and supportive single parent, Jess. Described as 'a heartbreaking, laugh-out-loud, thought-provoking, emotional rollercoaster' by The Sunday Express, Moyes' story tells of an unexpected love story that develops amid the ups and downs of a hectic family life.

Jojo Moyes is a novelist and a journalist. She worked at the Independent for ten years before leaving to write full time. Her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed and include Me Before You, The Girl You Left Behind, The Ship of Brides, Foreign Fruit, and The Last Letter from Your Lover. She lives in Essex with her husband and their three children. Jojo will be joining us for a webchat on 30 September to chat about The One Plus One so post your questions in advance or join us on the night.

We have 50 copies of Jojo's book to giveaway. Apply here for a free copy. If you're one of the lucky 50 we will inform you next Tuesday (29 July). If you don't access a free copy, order it up online to read over the summer and join us for book club in September.

Happy reading!

@MrsWickens

I know I've already asked a question but I would like to know which of your books is your favourite?

It varies. I know that's a sucky answer, but it's true. In terms of changing my life and my family's life though, it has to be Me Before You. In terms of books that have a huge personal resonance for me: Silver Bay.

With regards to the social media question; I posted a link to my review on Twitter and you replied saying thank you - that was very much appreciated it's nice to know you respond to fans rather than ignoring them

@SundayGirl79

I really enjoyed 'The Girl You Left Behind? Do you have any plans to write more historic fiction or are you more comfortable writing about modern day situations?

Thank you SundayGirl79. I would like to write more historic fiction, but I tend to write each book according to what particular theme or scenario won't leave my head at the time (that's when they tend to work best for me) and at the moment most of those subjects are set in the modern day. I'm sure I will go back to historical though.

@MrsRedWhite214

With regards to the social media question; I posted a link to my review on Twitter and you replied saying thank you - that was very much appreciated it's nice to know you respond to fans rather than ignoring them

Well that's great to know - thank you. (And thank goodness I did reply!)

Thank you for answering my questions. I haven't read Me Before You but after all the recommendations on here it is definitely on my must have list!

@MrsRedWhite214

Have you any plans for another book yet? And what was the last book you read of your own choice rather than research?

I'm 40,000 words into one now, but that's always a tricky stage for me. I'm as likely to dump it as I am to stick with it. And the last book I read for choice was Patrick Gale's A Place Called Winter (mentioned in another part of this thread). It's a sort of historical Brokeback Mountain.

@revealall

I want to know what happens to her ex husband to. I think the new wife (girlfriend?) took the children turning up very well too. Would love book on their story, if you want an idea for a sequel.

Interesting… yes, I didn't want the 'stepmother' to be a clicheed horror. As Nicky says, her family has ended up an odd shape through no fault of her own too...

Thank you for answering my question. Is there any talk of films of Me Before You or The One Plus One? And do you have any thoughts on casting if that comes about?

Have you had much input for the film version of Me Before You? I think the casting choices are great!

Can I ask what characters you find hardest to write? Are there any you can feel yourself using personal stereotypes? I'm guessing being a journalist helps avoid this or did you find it reinforces some?

@whatwoulddexterdo

Hi Jo Jo Book covers must be one of the most important sales tools, however, I would never have read Me Before You if a friend had not bought it for me. From a first glance at the novel it would appear to be very much of the "chick lit genre" which I try to avoid. However, the book was a complete surprise to me, and has stayed with me.

How important a role do you think the cover of a book has in attracting someone to read your story?
Also with the popularity of books, do you think this is still relevant?
Thank you

Hi - Book covers are a bone of contention for many authors, especially those that write 'commercial' women's fiction. It's difficult, because many retailers want to suggest to potential buyers that 'you'll get what you see on the tin'. But a lot of those very chick-litty covers are wrapped around books that cover serious issues and do it extremely well. I learned more about clinical depression from Marian Keyes' the Mystery of Mercy Close than I ever did while studying psychology.
Interestingly though, since the advent of e-readers, I have acquired a lot more male readers. I think it's because they are freed from the shame of holding a 'woman's' book on public transport...

Can I ask another question? You seem to use a wide range of locations in your writing. Are they places you've visited or lived? How do you go about researching the areas? If you'd like to set a novel in Northern Ireland I could help...,..... ;)

I see that Me Before you is being made into a film, can't wait to see it.
Did you write the One Plus One with a possible screenplay in mind?

@dippybaby

Hi Jojo

After the enormous success of your novel Me Before You, did you find it difficult to sit down and write another novel knowing that it would be compared to Me Before You and might not be as successful?

Hi Dippybaby - interesting question. I think I was lucky in that I was already halfway through writing The Girl You Left Behind when MBY took off, so I was already committed to the book. And I had already written eight others. But I do feel the pressure even more with every book. It's lovely that expectations are high, and you don't want readers to be disappointed.

Thank you for answering my question :) So happy :)

Excited to hear there might be a film of Me before You, though I almost always find films of books I've liked very disappointing.

@whatwoulddexterdo

I see that Me Before you is being made into a film, can't wait to see it. Did you write the One Plus One with a possible screenplay in mind?

No. I think they are two such different disciplines that you can't do it like that. But I do write visually, i.e. I have to run through a scene cinematically before I can put it on paper, and I think that has made it easier for me to adapt both those books to screenplays.

@GrouchingTiggerHiddenSomething

Thank you for answering my question :) So happy :) Excited to hear there might be a film of Me before You, though I almost always find films of books I've liked very disappointing.

Well, I've been writing this one, so I hope you won't be!

@MadeinBelfast

Can I ask another question? You seem to use a wide range of locations in your writing. Are they places you've visited or lived? How do you go about researching the areas? If you'd like to set a novel in Northern Ireland I could help...,..... ;)

Hi MadeInBelfast. I do try to go to places I write about, even if it is an aircraft carrier, as I think the detail makes a huge difference to how it comes out on the page. So yes, a lot of them are based on places I've visited or lived. And I'd love to write about Belfast - I went out there many times when I was a journalist. But I'm not sure I'd write about The Troubles...

Thank you Jo jo for answering my questions.
I have to say that out of all eight books that I have read of yours, Norman is my favourite character, definitely the hero of One Plus One.
I look forward to reading your next book.

@MrsRedWhite214

Have you had much input for the film version of Me Before You? I think the casting choices are great!

I've written many drafts of the screenplay, and I'm in regular contact with the studio and the director, so I feel like I've been unusually lucky in the degree of input I've had. And I can't take credit for the casting, but I can say that I'm very happy with who they picked. There were many amazing actors who auditioned for it, but these two really did jump off the screen.

Thank you for answering my questions. Good luck with the new book, I can't wait!

There's around ten minutes left of the webchat and I've rounded up a few questions from earlier up the webchat:

A few questions from earlier up the webchat :

From MrsRedwine214

My question would be:
You tend to depict strong female characters in your books. Is that something you have to actively try for, or do they come quite naturally to you?

SundayGirl79
Hi Jojo, I've read all your novels and was lucky enough to get agree copy of The One Plus One from Mumsnet and I really loved it. I LOVED the road trip up to Scotland - such a great place for the romance to take-off. Was that based on personal experience? Also I wondered whether the seaside town is based on a real place?

And another Q about the roadtrip:

revealsall
I did feel a little like two books in some ways. There was the poor overworked single parent to start and the road trip towards the end.
And have you done a road trip to Scotland!

Whiskeytangofoxtrot
What kind of journalist were you before you started writing novels? Why did you switch and was it hard to adapt your writing style to novels rather than your previous job??

@revealall

Can I ask what characters you find hardest to write? Are there any you can feel yourself using personal stereotypes? I'm guessing being a journalist helps avoid this or did you find it reinforces some?

I try to imagine my way into the shoes of every character I write. And I try to make sure that they have as many flaws and quirks as do the real people I see around me. It's hard to avoid cliche with male romantic leads, and often I've gone too far to avoid stereotypes (the leads in my first and third books were a one-armed Irish jockey, and an Argentinian male midwife…)

Oh I'm so excited to hear that there is a film of Me Before You coming out. WHEN? And WHO is playing the lead roles??

It's out in 2015 and here's a link about the cast:
m.imdb.com/news/ni57748797?ref_=m_tt_nwr_sm_1