Live webchat with India Knight, Monday 13th December -1 - 2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're very happy that India Knight is joining us again for a live webchat on Monday lunchtime between 1 and 2pm. India needs no introduction to mumsnetters, who enjoyed a live chat with her back in summer 2007, when she discussed everything from Special Needs to Crocs. If you haven't already seen it, we've got an extract from India's new novel, Comfort and Joy, about families and Christmas, which Jilly Cooper says is "hilarious, bawdy yet touching" - bit like MN, then. Put the date in your diary for next Monday at 1pm or send in a question in advance to this thread.

Hello, India. I have just finished "Comfort and Joy" and would love to know who Pat is based on. Because she was so like my mother (except my mother is from North London and not Northern Ireland) - the endless repetition of meaningless phrases (except my mother says "that was some nice" which gets on my tits), the "nice words in cards", the "nothing to see/do" in places - New York was, according to her, "just like Warsaw" and "you could get much nicer stuff in Primark than in Bloomingdales."

Or is it an age thing, do you think?

What would you call a baby if you were to unexpectedly have one tomorrow? One boy and one girl name, please!

Have you ever thought of doing your 'Thrift' book on telly - can you save us from Allsop mania?!

Also, thank you for the recommendation of the Belgian Waflle blog - it's genius.

Link here if anyone is intersted. Her cosmetics blog is wonderful too.

Also finished Comfort and Joy now. I liked it very much. But why wasn't it longer? Is this the Pig to Twig of literature and you're trying to cure us of gorging on fat novels? If you would write Jilly Cooper-style epics, I'd be a happy reader

You did a diet book - are you any lighter now than before the diet?

I bought your 'The Shops' book a few years ago and loved some of the recommendations (my kids were dressed in 'Little Shrimp' for some time). Are you planning to release an updated version of this book for the sheep amoungst us? Pretty please?

Also - are you still thin?

I always pretend to be a bit snooty about your books, but whenever I'm up all night (with aching jaw from TMJ disorder) they're always the first ones I read

Also my (normally pretty open minded) mum borrowed don't you want me and was moved to write inside the front cover about how filthy and depraved it was

any book that can shock my mum gets a double thumbs up from me

Another Twitter follower here (you have replied to me three times despite me not having a photo up or using my real name :)).

I am also another former Pig. Your diet book has changed everything for me, and I am evangelical about it - a huge thank you for that.

Incidentally (and not to sound stalkerish) I think I was a few years behind you at university.

Comfort and Joy is wrapped and waiting to go under the tree so I'm hoping to avoid any spoilers here.

My question: I admire the way in which you've made a living from putting yourself into the public domain, and I imagine that making a career of your life and opinions could only be sustained by someone both interesting and nice, but I'd like to know what you've found the downside to being so public to be? Is there anything you would take back, eg an opinion you no longer hold or a personal detail you wish you'd kept to yourself? Does it get tiresome when random strangers, ie those people on this board, think we know you? What about your partners or children - have they ever complained about appearing in your articles or books?

Hello India sorry for lack of punctuation but on husbands iPad and it's complicated. I just read your column in the Sunday Times and it was bloody fabulous. My finest hour on MN was being told I was a beacon of good sense in a sea of sanctimonious twaddle, and I would like to extend the same compliment to you on the strength of that article.

India, I have always greatly admired your writing and agree with so much of what you say (especially an article you wrote about middle class, middle aged people still indulging in cocaine, thinking they were still super cool ).

My question is have you kept the weight off since writing your diet book?

Hi India, what are your views on Frankie Boyle and his comments regarding Katie Price's son??

Hi India.
Am hoping to receive your latest book for Christmas.
My dp read your article for Tmes yesterday and read a few bits to me[haven't read it yet]My dp is also super intelligent [me of average intelligence]However,it is also about networking isn't it?As had been mentioned before people can have very different experiences at Oxbridge.The fact is one can be pretty thick and still have well paid job due to contacts through family,school,university.So even if a person went to Oxbridge they may still be at a disadvantage.Hope that makes some senseWould you agree it is,in the main,about 'knowing the right people'

Hello again. I have a second question, which I know isn't really allowed but still:

In your Thrift book you mention a curry that you made with ripe mangoes because they were cheap (p36). I would LOVE that recipe please, or even the entire menu.

Thanks!

Hi India, I'm a big fan of yours. I was evangelical about 'The Shops' when it came out - I bought copies for many loved ones who I felt would appreciate it! Thanks to you, I remember discovering Shiseido's Feminite du Bois, Rural Retreats, Laura Mercier, among many other gems...

Anyway, my question reiterates one asked above: are you going to do a new, updated version of Shops? Please, pretty please...

Off to buy your latest book...

... also you introduced me to books and authors that I would never have thought of looking into. THANK YOU! (Forever Amber was particularly amazing!)

Hi India, I don't really have a question but wanted to let you know how much your blog about Nell helped myself and my husband.

My middle son (age 7) also has the 22q11 deletion and during the dark days post diagnosis where you read everything it was reassuring to read your blog.

I hope Nell is still doing well and is avoiding the winter bugs that are doing the rounds!

Sorry for crap typing, grammar etc am on iPhone at hospital waiting for his highness's palate appointment.

HarktheHerald - I was going to ask that too, but got sidetracked by curry. Thanks.

runs if to see if this works
runs out again, gripped with fear

@RachelMumsnet

We're very happy that India Knight is joining us again for a live webchat on Monday lunchtime between 1 and 2pm. India needs no introduction to mumsnetters, who enjoyed a live chat with her back in summer 2007, when she discussed everything from Special Needs to Crocs. If you haven't already seen it, we've got an extract from India's new novel, Comfort and Joy, about families and Christmas, which Jilly Cooper says is "hilarious, bawdy yet touching" - bit like MN, then. Put the date in your diary for next Monday at 1pm or send in a question in advance to this thread.

Hi India - I love your blog and your books, The Shops and Thrift. Agree with utterlyslutterly and The Bolter that an updated version of The Shops would be fab!

I loved the section on perfume/beauty ... a few years have gone by now ... what are your most used items in your make-up bag now? What are your must-have beauty items?

My children also adore that episode of Something Special with you and your DD at the theme park.

Hi India-love your ST column and books esp The Shops and Thrift-another plea for updated Shops book please.

Argh. On deadline and must go to nativity play. I am still a Pig, but reTwigging after Xmas . On that, have you read Gary Taubes book? And - I have to face facts - it's a lifetime thing really isn't it?

On other things, I really admire you as a writer. But I have enormo chip on shoulder envy about it, if I'm honest, and I like honest. I see your work and envy your utter (public?) confidence in your voice. I wonder where that comes from, and whether it is just impossible for some people. My cultural capital was arguing, politics, ideas, but not writing (and I struggle with it in my work now). I don't know if that's a question or not.