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.

@EatingAngelPie

are you watching this years Apprentice?

Yes. I'm obsessed by the horrendous horror of the horrific Baggs.

@MrsSchadenfreude

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?

Snorting at 'just like Warsaw'. She's a composite of someone I know quite well and - oddly - the husband of a friend. But yes, it's also a generational thing.

@saggarmakersbottomknocker

Hi India, how's Nell doing?

We were in A&E all of yesterday evening, as it happens, but that was a first (and not sinister - she's fine and watching Toy Story 3 on the sofa behind me). She is doing brilliantly, thank God and school and Great Ormond St.

Too much scrolling up and down - I have no sense of whether I'm going to get through all these Qs - apologies if not.

Also, to everyone asking about updating The Shops - not at the moment, though I'd love to eventually. My Posterous blog sort of functions as an ongoing update, though, I think.

@Quiltingmoomin

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.

I love both Kirstie and Waffle. I don't like the idea of doing telly, because I don't like the idea of people staring at you in Morrisons as though you were a sort of creature. I fancy radio though. Radio's properly fun and not as time-consuming.

@scottishmummy

Are you a MN poster?are you secret pc warrior tap tapping on Mn?

No. I was on here a lot years and years ago when my boys were little, and then I went away, and then ONE HIDEOUS DAY also years ago - before I'd discovered the suicide-making potential of self-Googling - I put my name in the Mumsnet search box. Never again!

@SpringHeeledJack

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

Ha! FITHY and DEPRAVED works for me too. What's TMJ?

@FellatioNelson

I'm sulking now India. I've tweeted you too and you haven't replied to me.

Do you still have your caravan? In Canvey Island or wherever it was?

Try again. I'll look out for your magnificient username.

Didn't have caravan - was saving up for one and then, er, spent the money. Still pine for one. I'll get there eventually.

@thereisthesnowball

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?

Thank you for kind words. There are LOADS of things I'd take back - specifically opinion stuff from years and years ago when I was starting out and thought (wrongly) that in order to be interesting you had to be pointlessly provocative or just plain nasty. Personal details, no - I don't give away as much as I appear to, it's a sort of trick of writing. Random strangers yes, sometimes, which is why I have become weirdly sympathetic to people properly in the public eye who people just bash about all day long thinking it's an ok thing to do. Family/children: no - if I'm in any doubt about overstepping the mark, I hit Delete.

@FellatioNelson

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.

Well that is very kind, and I think I've just replied to you elsewhere.

@Rindercella

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?

Thank you (and re naming!). Kept it off, put some back on, took it off again, repeat. I went to see a Botox doctor the other day and he said the best thing a woman of a certain age could do for her face was to be a bit fat, so that was cheering.

@Valpollicella

How is your gorgeous daughter doing India?

DS has a million episodes of Something Special recorded, but particularly likes the one where you're at Chessington

She's fantastic, thank you -see earlier reply.

Re the botox. I said a few days ago it's either your face or your arse. We were discussing Dr Gillian McKeith and Nigella Lawson at the time

@lottiejenkins

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

My views on Frankie Boyle is that he's an unfunny - I don;t think I'm allowed to type the C word, a completely ungracious human being (ref. Sharon, the mum of a child with DS, who took him up on his stuff at one of his shows), a loser and just generally a dick. A very small dick, I expect. Kind of, 'Is it in yet?' scenario.

I love that answer India. I have to say that i totally agree with you!!

@Doobydoo

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'

Yes, it is partly about knowing the right people - but knowing the right people has become entrenched as an idea and it puts tons of people off - oh, I don't know anyone, I won't bother. I think it's only about 20% of the whole, and the rest is talent, tenacity and luck.

You can type the c word on here. everybody does especially when talking about Frankie Boyle

@Horton

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

Off the top of my head, Marvin and Beryl. I like granny names.

@thereisthesnowball

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!

It's from a book by Das Shreedaran (sp?), who owns the Rasa chain of restaurants. I don't have it to hand, sorry.

@TheBolter

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

Forever Amber is the best raining outside, blanket-on-the-sofa, cup of tea book ever.

Thanks for your replies India

Whats on your christmas list this year?

@slightlycrumpled

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.

I'm so pleased to hear that. How's your son doing? We have two round of palate surgery starting in Jan. Re winter bugs - yes, her immunity is improving all the time - merest sniffle used to turn into chest infection but we're over that now.

Thanks very much - will look it up. Have been haunted by the thought of that curry for years.

Hi India,

If you had an unexpected bonus would you a) buy an ipad, b) buy the grey anya hindmarch handbag you'd been lusting over for a year or c) save it?

Eve x