Chat to the one and only JUDY BLUME - ask Judy a question and discuss her latest book IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT on Monday 8th August, 9-10pm

[TillyMumsnetBookClub]

Judy Blume is a revolutionary. Her books have sold more than eighty-five million copies in thirty-two languages. She wrote about racism, bullying, sex, menstruation — you name it, she did it - with clarity, warmth and honesty. Now she has written what she says will be her ‘final novel for adults’, using her own experience of catastrophic plane crashes in her hometown as the central plot. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT is set in 1950s suburban America, and told in a chorus of voices, covering the whole small town. Miri is an amusing and gawky 14 year old living with her glamorous single mother, her make-up saleswoman grandmother and her journalist uncle. Miri’s best friend, Natalie, comes from a wealthier family whereas her first-love/almost-boyfriend Mason is an orphan. When three separate planes fall out of the sky in the space of three months, the impact on the community is immense. Fear, panic, horror and a desperate need to make sense of the devastation means that emotions and relationships are pushed to the limit. But it is the long-term fallout that Blume really explores, with repercussions on her characters drawn out over three generations. It is a beautifully crafted, tightly woven work of art, with Blume’s unmistakable voice ringing throughout.

To find out more about the book, and for your chance to win one of 50 copies, please go to the book of the month page and fill in your details before 10am Monday 27 June. We'll post on this thread when all the copies have gone.

You can also find out why Judy is a Mumsnet heroine and read what Judy’s up to on the official Blume website or follow @JudyBlume on Twitter

We are honoured and delighted that Judy will be joining us to answer your questions about IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, all her terrific novels and her exceptional career on Monday 8 August, 9-10pm. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month and then come and meet Judy on the night, and ask her a question or simply tell her what you think of any of her work. Here is your chance to chat to a legendary literary figure, so please do come along, whichever book you’ve read at whatever age…

Deenie not Denise..... Autocorrect

Judy Blume! Loved reading all your books when I was circa 12 years old. Nowadays, as an education professional, I can see how your books represented a landmark in children literature due to the themes they explored and the humour and humanity with which they explored them. Remarkable! Thank-You.

Just want to take this opportunity to say a big "Hello" to Judy. Many thanks for the answering my questions (out of the loads you have). Really interesting reading all your other responses, too. It's great to gain a little insight into the working mind of an accomplished author.

I’ll squeeze another light-hearted question in (if I may) ...

QUESTION:- If you were transported to a desert island for two weeks, and you could take a maximum of 10 items, including food or drink, what would you take? (Portable gas/electricity would be made available to power any item if required)

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading In the Unlikely Event. It's one of those books that you end up recommending to everyone you meet! I loved the sentence "you have to take every bit of luck that comes your way and turn it into something bigger, something lasting" - such a beautiful message.

@FernieB

You mentioned that this book was 5 years in the making - how many drafts did you write before the final version? Were there any characters or scenes that you edited out that you wished you could keep?

I have a stack of notebooks (three ring binders). Many many drafts but that's how I work. With each draft I learn more about my characters. Unlikely was such a complicated book to write. But I like challenges and this was certainly the most challenging. Summer Sisters took about 20 drafts and three years. After that book I said never again and at the time I meant it!

@remroux89

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading In the Unlikely Event. It's one of those books that you end up recommending to everyone you meet! I loved the sentence "you have to take every bit of luck that comes your way and turn it into something bigger, something lasting" - such a beautiful message.

Thanks so much for that!

@FlopIsMyHero

Hi Judy, wow what a honour to talk to my childhood hero! I loved 'in the unlikely event' - such vivid descriptions and all the little details. I really felt like I was a teenager in mid-century America!

As an aspiring writer myself, I wondered what your writing routine is like?

When i'm writing I go to my office/study/kitchen table? every morning and sit there until noon. I'm a morning person so that's when I do my best work. I'm disciplined. You have to be. Actually, I think I was more determined when my kids were little and went to pre-school for two hours every day.

@Pickofthepops

Oh my gosh I'm late!

Hi Judy

Thanks for all the advice c/o 'Margaret', and all the others.

Not sure if anyone has asked about Fudge yet - was he based on a real life brother / nephew / friend's son? Just introducing my 8 yr old to your so funny books with him in and would love an insight if poss?

Also, I will never forget sitting on a bench at school with friends and us all talking about Ralph age about 13. Such sensible but funny sex education - worked for me and eternally effective I'm sure.

Fudge -- at first he was inspired by my son, Larry (Tales) but then he took on his own life and became FUDGE! It's always been fun to write about him. But there were many years between each book (which is why I had to update electronics ).

Hi Judy ,
How are you ? I am a ten year old girl , and a big big fan of yours ! My favourite book I read from your collection is" Sheila The Great".You really inspire me , I want to be a author and write just like you . but I struggle a lot in writing . Even though I read about 100 novels a month . Please give me some advice.
signed by
future author in need

Thanks so much for that. My youngest will start pre-school after Christmas so I will heed your advice, ignore the dishes and endeavour to write!

Oh my god, You got me through my childhood and teen years, I was very Lonely at school and your books were like coming home to an old friend Most days, I got so very excited when a new one came out and had to do jobs around the house to earn the money to buy a new copy. Every girl should be given a copy of "are you there god, its me margaret?" upon entering secondary school!

Superfudge is my all time fave book, and I'm 36 now! Still read it now and then.

Were any characters related to people you knew in Real life?

I note that you now have a bookstore. What book would you recommend everyone should read?

Also have you noticed a decline in book sales since the advent of ereaders?

@RoastieToastieReastie

What an exciting sneaky bonus start to the webchat .

Since my question has partially been asked and answered via another poster I'm sneaking another in. Did writing the book take you mentally back to your teens setting it whe you lived at that time in your life? I suppose in that respect it may have been easy for you to picture the streets and school etc given it's what you knew so well. I wonder if it was hard not to put a bit of yourself into Miri. And I also wonder what sort of a teenager you were given how well you write books for the age group.

Since I grew up in Elizabeth it was very easy to transport myself back in time. I mean, I remember keeping angora sweaters in the fridge, wearing Pixie Pink lipstick, and so many other details. Of course there's a bit of me in Miri but in Christina, too. Those of us who write can't help but put bits of ourselves and those we know into our characters.

Hi Judy. I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful books which helped me understand and get through adolescence. I don't know what I'd have done without you. Although I wish I could see aftershave and hear the name Ralph without giggling

Okay, so I am now following this thread and I think this is where everyone is chatting about Judy Blume's new book. Yay!!
I just wanted to say thank you so much to Judy. I'm pretty sure I've read most if not all of your books Judy, and I will make a note of your latest book and read that one too. In the meantime I'll quietly follow the thread and just look forward to viewing the world through your characters' eyes again. Thank you very much

Congratulations on such an amazing book. I read it last week on holiday and raced through it (which is saying something away with a 6 mth &6 yr old). Though I was a little nervous flying home!

It's beautifully written. How much had you remembered from that time?

@FernieB

I note that you now have a bookstore. What book would you recommend everyone should read?

Also have you noticed a decline in book sales since the advent of ereaders?

Just the opposite. We opened our store the end of January, 2016, so we're still new but readers seem hungry for "real' books -- to hold them, see them, even sniff them. This is true all over the US. Even Amazon is opening bricks and mortar stories. So, fingers crossed, this trend will continue.

@Suzical

Congratulations on such an amazing book. I read it last week on holiday and raced through it (which is saying something away with a 6 mth &6 yr old). Though I was a little nervous flying home!

It's beautifully written. How much had you remembered from that time?

you know what? I seem to be a more relaxed flier since writing the book. Odd, I know, but true. I was never afraid to fly, even after what happened in my town. Ditto for all my old friends. I remembered a lot but never could have written the book without months of research and all those news stories.

Hi, I would like to ask how you feel looking back on some of your earliest books - do you still feel the same person you did when you wrote them?

@wiziliz

Hi Judy , How are you ? I am a ten year old girl , and a big big fan of yours ! My favourite book I read from your collection is" Sheila The Great".You really inspire me , I want to be a author and write just like you . but I struggle a lot in writing . Even though I read about 100 novels a month . Please give me some advice. signed by future author in need

Dear Future Author
It is hard work. You write because you have to. it's deep inside and it has to come out. don't let anyone discourage you. Reading is the best thing you can do if you want to write. Oh, there's so much more, but I have to answer other questions. Good luck!!

In the book, I loved the snippets of speculation from the school kids regarding their theories about conspiracies/aliens etc causing the crashes. Were these rumours that spread about your school at the time or did you create them for the book?

And I would also like to add a thank you for your insight into life as a child, pre teen and teenager - I really felt the resonance of the characters in my life and just devoured them all - Blubber being a favourite.

@SnapCackleFlop

Judy, you seem to have a great zest for life and you look incredible! How do you do it. 😊

The zest for life comes from my father. He was the inspiration for Dr. O in Unlikely not his life choices, but his character. He always said to make every day special, to enjoy every day. Sadly, he died suddenly when he was just 54. I was 21 and have never forgotten. I used to think I would die young too so I was in a hurry. Now I'm too old to die young. He would get such a kick out of all of this. As for looks who knows? Keep active for as long as you can. For always.

@FernieB

In the book, I loved the snippets of speculation from the school kids regarding their theories about conspiracies/aliens etc causing the crashes. Were these rumours that spread about your school at the time or did you create them for the book?

Yes, the boys in my grade came up with those theories. The "smart" girls said it was sabotage. I agreed though I had no idea what sabotage meant until I looked it up in the dictionary.