August Book of the month: My Name is Leon by Kit De Waal - Join the author webchat on Wednesday 6 September, 9pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Our August book of the month is My Name is Leon, Kit De Waal's brilliant debut about a little boy whose mother is no longer capable of caring for him and his baby brother. Touching and thought-provoking, this novel will tug on your heart strings – and raise questions about family, friendship and identity.

You can find out more about the book. Even if you didn't win a copy, you can grab a copy to read over the summer. Kit De Waal joins us for a webchat at 9pm on Wednesday 6 September

Buy the book from Amazon

Kit - Can we put to you our standard Mumsnet Qs that we ask all our book of the month authors?

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote My Name is Leon?

Absolutely loved this book... I was a blubbering mess on the tube when Leon found Jake's 'address' on the back of the photo!! I work with children on a daily basis that have very challenging backgrounds like Leon and I thought you captured his character and his perceptions of all the adults in his life brilliantly.

@Celama

Hi Kit, I enjoyed reading this although it was very emotive and I found myself moving from angry to sad to finding humour constantly - well done. I had been going to ask if there would be a book about Leon as an adult but you've already answered that so, what do you like to read to relax and which author would you recommend to others?!

Hello Celama, I am currently reading a book by Donal Ryan, an Irish writer who is absolutely wonderful. He was shortlisted for the Booker Prize with The Spinning Heart which is one of the best books I've ever read. I have just finished My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tellent. Not for everyone but I thought it was possibly the best book I've read this year and it will definitely win awards. You heard it here first!

@RachelMumsnet

Kit - Can we put to you our standard Mumsnet Qs that we ask all our book of the month authors?

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote My Name is Leon?

Hello Rachel, okay first of all there were no books in our house. None. We had the Bible as my mother was a devout Christian and there might have been some kind of dictionary but I was honestly not at all interested in reading as a child. I did it at school and that's where it stayed. I only really started reading when I was in my 20's.

The last book I bought someone as a gift was The Novel Cure by Susan Elderkind and Ella Berthoud. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's like a medicine chest of books for ailments. Google it and you will definitely buy it. They are also in the process of writing one for children.

The room I wrote Leon is in my house on the top floor of four floors. It has sloping ceiling, hundreds of books, a lovely couch (which I never sit in), a desk and leather revolving chair and all my favourite pictures, photos of the kids and miscellaneous junk that I love. I wonder if I can upload a picture?

@KitdeWaal

[quote RachelMumsnet] Kit - Can we put to you our standard Mumsnet Qs that we ask all our book of the month authors?

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote My Name is Leon?

Hello Rachel, okay first of all there were no books in our house. None. We had the Bible as my mother was a devout Christian and there might have been some kind of dictionary but I was honestly not at all interested in reading as a child. I did it at school and that's where it stayed. I only really started reading when I was in my 20's.

The last book I bought someone as a gift was The Novel Cure by Susan Elderkind and Ella Berthoud. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's like a medicine chest of books for ailments. Google it and you will definitely buy it. They are also in the process of writing one for children.

The room I wrote Leon is in my house on the top floor of four floors. It has sloping ceiling, hundreds of books, a lovely couch (which I never sit in), a desk and leather revolving chair and all my favourite pictures, photos of the kids and miscellaneous junk that I love. I wonder if I can upload a picture?[/quote]

By the way I have a new writing room - built in the garden and divine! Hope I can do some good work in it!

A writing room? How brill!! ...

Ooh would love to see a pic! Have you ever been to a book club to talk about your book?

... and in the garden, too.

Evening, Kit. Is it a lonely job, being a writer? (Am feeling jealous of your lovely-sounding writing rooms and wondering if there's a downside! ) Just wondering if you have to shut yourself away to really concentrate or if it's easy to balance your writing life with real life?

Hi Kit,

Apologies for bring late to the party!!

Congrats on your debut novel I really enjoyed it. My fave parts were at the beginning and the relationship between Leon and Jake. I was heartbroken when Jake was taken away.

Exciting to hear that you are writing a new book with Leon. I would love for him & Jake to be reunited. Also congrats on the book becoming a film/tv show I look forward to watching it.

Have you got any other books planned other than Leon one??

Excited to read that there is more of Leon to come! Because I'm Irish I have to ask... have you been to Ireland?

I often get asked about how to start writing. Lots of people - especially lots of women are interested in writing about their family stories or have a book burning inside them that they want to get out.

I've already talked about the importance of reading, it's one of the main ways to develop the tools necessary to be a good writer. If you don't read it's like saying you want to be a pianist but I never listen to music. Then of course you have to start, actually start to write. Flash fiction is a good way to start and gain confidence, a short story in 500 words. There are some great examples out there - google it. Then knuckle down and have a go. Everyone starts small, everyone starts with something that's not very good. I most certainly did. But you will get better, like every other skill, it takes practice.

Thank you Kit ☺☺

I'd also like to know if the plot for My Name Is Leon took any unexpected turns that surprised you - or did you have it all meticulously planned out and thought through from the start?

And yes please upload a photo of your writing zone.. it sounds wonderful!

I am excited that we might to get find out more about Leon as he grows up. I still have so many questions! I really enjoyed hearing Leon's voice, thank you for such an inspiring and heart wrenching book!

@Gooseysgirl

Excited to read that there is more of Leon to come! Because I'm Irish I have to ask... have you been to Ireland?

Hello Gooseygirl! Yes, my mother is from Wexford and I've been to Ireland many many times. I often go to Dublin but have been to lots of different places, Galway, Cork, Kerry, Wexford obvs, Clare, Mayo but haven't been to the Midlands at all and there's still lots to explore. If I had my way I'd have a little house there on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Thanks for sharing your favourite books. I just started reading My Absolute Darling - it's heartbreakingly sad - please tell me it gets happier?

Love the sound of your writing spaces. Have you written any non fiction?

@Gooseysgirl

And yes please upload a photo of your writing zone.. it sounds wonderful!

I'm desperately trying to do it but I'm not the most techsavvy person!

@KitdeWaal

[quote Gooseysgirl] And yes please upload a photo of your writing zone.. it sounds wonderful!

I'm desperately trying to do it but I'm not the most techsavvy person![/quote]

This is the outside. I'll try and get photos of the inside!

Cool!!

Need to get me a writing room!!

Wow, that looks fab.

@Givemecoffeeplease

Love the sound of your writing spaces. Have you written any non fiction?

Hi Givemecoffeeplease, yes I do write some essays and I wrote a piece about Winson Green Prison in Birmingham which I think is still available on BBC iPlayer Radio 4. I love writing fiction the most but the essay is really interesting as the voice is completely me - no other characters allowed!