Caitlin Moran: live webchat, Thursday 13 September, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Much excitement at Mumsnet HQ this week as Caitlin Moran is joining us on Thursday lunchtime (1-2pm) for a live webchat and to talk us through her latest book, Moranthology.

How to be a Woman was one of the most talked about books on the boards last year, so we're all delighted to hear Moranthology brings more chat on a brilliant range of topics: Twitter, Obama, binge drinking, Amy Winehouse, 'The Big Society', Party Bags and Boris Johnson - Albino Shag-hound. These are just a few of the subjects touched on and make us think she is our ideal guest.

Post your questions to Caitlin in advance or join her on Thursday at 1pm.

@WhiteHeron

Hello Caitlin,

Enjoyed your book and please tell your sister (the long suffering one with the unfortunate birthday who fought loads) that I think she sounds marvellous.
What is your best tried and tested hangover cure?

StitchThis- I remember the Mallen Streak.

There is no cure for a hangover. You have to sit in the middle of all the white-our sweaty horror and anxiety, and just suck it up. Fly into the nervo, like a fighter pilot, and then sit in the middle of the flames, letting it burnish you a hardened bronze shell. I always seem to spend my hangovers in a really slutty 1970's black polyester petticoat I bought from a charity shop, looking like The Childcatcher, and lying weakly around in various states of repose, occassionally eating toast as if it's the bravest thing in the world that anyone's ever done, and I'm Gandhi.

Dear Caitlin,

When I grow up I want to be you.

One question - Echobelly or Sleeper?

don't just say books.

Huge fan

I had a similar childhood to yours but I was the fourth daughter so at least my knickers were from my sister not my mum and our tv treat was vinegar on toast not forked cheese.
It took me ages to get over the sense of not being quite good enough, not quite as bright and shiny as all my friends.
You never seem to have experienced that feeling of shame about poverty. Has it ever been an issue for you.

Caitlin, I loved your book. As someone mentioned above, I would love it if you would write a book aimed at preteen girls (without the swearing) to show them they don't have to conform and fit in with everyone else, life is so hard for girls of that age (and teenagers of course).

That bastard Gandhi? (You possibly had to be there. Hey, maybe you were!)

@CaitlinMoran

[quote ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

There IS no biscuit tin here. They're eating RAW NUTS like GIRLY SWOTS.

[/quote]

Thanks for answering my question, and BTW, I realise I used the wrong 'your' in my question. Embarrassing!!!! It was a typo, I'm not really a stupid. Honest!

Cmon, cmon, DO YOU still? You know, the thing...? THIS thing?

MN

We won't stalk you, promise.

Are you sure that's your vagina, not your vulva?

@cm22v077

Just read your wikipedia article, what did you buy with those £250 worth of book vouchers in 1988? PLEASE ANSWER.

I worked a massive blag, and managed to get FIVE HUNDRED QUID'S WORTH in the end. It was a credit note that was simply a piece of paper with "£179 left", and I would sneakily alter it, time after time. I bought all of Maureen Lipman's autobiographies - they're really ace - and Terry Prachett and Capote and a LOT of stationery. I'll never forget the thrill of being able to spunk £30 on notebooks. It was my first intimation of how pleasant it would be to be a millionaire. Notebooks.

I reckon she's nipped out for a fag.

I read the book too, nodded along to a lot of it and gave it to my 15 year old daughter, who also liked a lot of it too.

I wasn't convinced by your argument about what to call a vagina, though. You say vaginas are 'straight-out bad luck' and that you don't have one, preferring instead a lot of words which are either a bit unpleasant (cf. 'minge', with all its overtones of 'minging', 'minger' and the fact that my mother in law refers to 'a mingy bit of cake' to mean a small portion.... yuck) or childish (cf. 'foof'). It seems as though you've taken on without question the negative associations with the word vagina, and responded by refusing the word and its actual meaning, which I kind of think is a shame.

@JustineMumsnet

[quote CaitlinMoran] [quote ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

There IS no biscuit tin here. They're eating RAW NUTS like GIRLY SWOTS.

[/quote]

[/quote]

I love how you couldn't be any more upset and offended if I'd come in here and said "Everyone in here is POLE DANCING." You said it almost pleadingly. "We had Krispy Kremes this morning."

Yes, a book for pre-teen girls would be marvellous. My eldest daughter is seven today (in fact, we are just about 10 minutes of exactly 7 years....) and I would love something to give to her in perhaps a couple of years.

I don't think the campaign is about "banning" Page 3, it's about asking The Sun to stop it. I'd be interested to know if Caitlin has a view on whether Page Three has any place in a civilised, equal society.

Pratchett, knew it, he has to be in there somewhere influencing the writing of all the greats.

@TheOriginalSteamingNit

I read the book too, nodded along to a lot of it and gave it to my 15 year old daughter, who also liked a lot of it too.

I wasn't convinced by your argument about what to call a vagina, though. You say vaginas are 'straight-out bad luck' and that you don't have one, preferring instead a lot of words which are either a bit unpleasant (cf. 'minge', with all its overtones of 'minging', 'minger' and the fact that my mother in law refers to 'a mingy bit of cake' to mean a small portion.... yuck) or childish (cf. 'foof'). It seems as though you've taken on without question the negative associations with the word vagina, and responded by refusing the word and its actual meaning, which I kind of think is a shame.

I think you've taken on without question an assumption of what I wouldn't do in order to make a couple of jokes. What I wouldn't do to make a couple of jokes is a list this small: "-"

I like the way you talk about Rihanna wearing a cardigan to prove that she is truly strong and I have already passed this on to my 11 year old girl and her bessie mate. They both rolled their eyes at me.

I also object, vociferously, to artists getting their baps out on MTV and I sound like my mum, denouncing their madness in kitting off when they could be equally entertaining in a mid thigh skirt and a nicely fitted tee shirt.

How the hell do I promote to my daughter (a) that I'm not a prude but (b) that getting your flesh out isn't the way to succeed? We've done the body hair talk, the fat/thin debate, the feminist implications of hair removal and the impact of porn on modern expectations...please...what do I do next to ensure she doesn't just become a sheep and conform to TOWIE standards just to attract some porn obsessed boy who treats her badly. And yes, I expect you to provide the answer to the universe. Surely that's your job now you're horribly famous and are on Mumsnet???

Do you regret using the world "retard" twice in your last book Caitlin?

I'm not sure that The Sun has any place in a civilised, equal society, especially after yesterday, but yes, answer that one!

Thanks for the answer! at 1970s slutty petticoat.

Come to my office next time you're webchatting. The place is powered by Fox's teatime variety. I may even share the bourbon creams with you. Maybe.

@wishes

I don't think the campaign is about "banning" Page 3, it's about asking The Sun to stop it. I'd be interested to know if Caitlin has a view on whether Page Three has any place in a civilised, equal society.

I would begin my anti-Page 3 campaign by insisting, in the interests of equality, Page 3 run next to this VERY SPECIAL picture of the young Bruce Springsteen, every day: 24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l9q6o8oE7d1qdxb7io1_500.jpg