Webchat with DAWN FRENCH, Wednesday 21 October, 1.45-2.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Hi everyone,

We're delighted that Dawn French will be joining us for a webchat about her new novel, According to Yes on Wednesday 21 October from 1.45 to 2.30pm.

In 2010 Dawn's first novel, A Tiny Bit Marvellous became the biggest selling debut hardback fiction ever and was followed two years later by Oh Dear Sylvia. On the launch of both books she visited MNHQ for webchats and we’re thrilled that she is coming back to chat about her latest novel.

Everyone who joins the thread will be entered into a draw to win one of three signed copies of the novel. If you're unable to make it on Wednesday, post your questions here in advance.

I cried in your autobiography: when you talked about your dad's little bit of advice to you as you tried to slip out of the house as a teenager dressed to the nines. I will remember that for my own daughter. Thank you. You've played it forward very well.

Hi Dawn. Huge fan, remember watching "Girls on Top" with my dad, who just didnt find it funny. My question is:

How do you find the time to write? Are you a "set times" writer ie 9 - 12 daily, or do you just write it all down as it comes to you, no matter what time of day or night it is?

Hi Dawn! (Waves to sunrise)
Couldn't resist it, sorry.
You've brought our family a lot of pleasure through your work over the years.
Do you feel under pressure to be amusing when you meet strangers?
Thanks Dawn.
If you are in West Yorkshire ever, do bob in.
Mumsnet have my address xxx

Hi Dawn, welcome to Mumsnet! I really enjoyed your previous books and I can't wait to read the new one. I'd love to know about your writing life - where you write, what your routine is, do you plan everything before you start writing, research, did you do any creative writing courses before you wrote your first novel? Thank you so much and please keep writing - I love your books!

Question for Dawn French -Do you have a specific time of day when you write or do you keep a pad by your side for ideas that arise?

Can I be in your next TV or film project please x

Aaarrrrghghhhh!! I'm almost more excited over Dawn French than I was for Meryl Streep!

Question, question...

Umm...

Will there ever be any more "French and Saunders" sketches/shows? I loved you two so much. I still think my favourite sketch ever was the wagon wheel one though

Hello Dawn! You know that thing where small children sometimes blurt out everything that gallops through their heads when they meet someone for the first time? Well I did that once (aged 35ish ) when I met a really tall woman, at a work thing, where I was supposed to be all professional and stuff. "Ooh you're really tall!!" [dies inside]. If I were to meet you in real life I think my blurt would be about how swooshy and shiny your hair is. It really is beautiful (as per the rest of you obvs).

Anywaaaaaaay... what was the trigger that made you decide to lose weight? I am seriously overweight, almost in the morbidly obese category, and I hate it but I seem to be lacking the motivation to do anything about it. I KNOW I need to, I know how to do it, I've tried many many times but not been able to keep it up and now I find myself heavier than I've ever been. Do you have any advice on how to flick that switch in my head? If a blurty small child were to blurt at me it would be about how fat I am

Hello Dawn,

from Cornwall. It's lovely down here today.

Firstly, what is your current biscuit of choice? (I can't believe no one has asked the all important biscuit question yet).

Secondly, are you often seen chugging pints in the Students' Union bar at Falmouth University now that you are their Chancellor? I imagine the students are chuffed to have you there.

Hi Dawn,

You have given so much fun and laughter and pleasure to my Family over the years, thank you for that

What is your guilty pleasure and why.

Luffs you lots xx

Hi Dawn,

You're top of the list at my fantasy dinner party

Question: What was the last TV show/ book that made you have a good ol' belly laugh?

Hi,
Which of your books was the easiest to write? In your opinion does it get easier or harder with subsequent books?

Regards,

the lady with writer's block!

Hi Dawn,

Which of your many tv roles was your favourite?

Hi Dawn, We all know you as a comedy performer, but I'd love to see you acting in something really serious. A serious play or a Shakespeare play. Or at the least something like Midsommer Murders :) Is this something you would consider?

In The Vicar of Dibley you had a picture of Sean Bean.

Do you still fancy him?

Hi Dawn. I live near you and wonder to what extent you find the sea to be an influencing factor in your life. I adore the views round here and they never fail to take my breath away and I am interested to know if/how the sea affects your creativity and thought process. Thank you!

Hello Dawn,

First things first :-) I've been watching you on TV for more years than I care to remember and have had so many laughs.

I saw you many years ago in a comedy play called "Silly Cow" which was hilarious. Do you see yourself doing anymore theatre and performing or do you feel that you will concentrate on writing now.

Not read your last book but loved your autobiography.

Hi Dawn,

My husband and I are both British, he is black, I am white and we have a daughter who is 4. We still, sadly, encounter racist attitudes, some from within my own family and I wonder how to explain it to her and prepare her for racist issues she may encounter. My town was forced to play host to the Britain First protest on Saturday, and it really worries me that these attitudes still exist.

Did you discuss racism with your daughter when she was younger? Do you feel that we should prepare our children for the possibility of being on the receiving end of the hatred?

Dawn, I have so enjoyed your previous two novels, and I think A tiny bit marvellous was the best title of a book I have ever seen!

As the mother of a daughter, do you have any top tips on helping build good self esteem? I'd like my girl to grow up knowing it's ok to like herself!

Thanks for visiting mumsnet!

Ohlittlepea

Hi Dawn,

If I see a white Victorian living room with one sofa in I always remember your sketches on the sofa in the empty room with Jennifer with a laugh.

I just heard you on Radio 4 Midweek and I really hope you find a way to do wing walking with Nikita Salmon! Maybe for Comic Relief? It's a serendipity not to be turned down!

Have any of your many life experiences influenced this latest book?

Trying to phrase this with an eye on MNHQ's legal bill, blood pressure and thus subsequent increase in lunchtime gin consumption.

How do you stay so composed when confronted with stories of adoption framed as jokes which may or may not have been told on a talk show such as, to pick one at random, The Graham Norton Show?

(And did you trip him up in the Green Room after?)

Hello to the Dawn French! Thank you for helping me find my deep in me boots laugh and for surprising me - eg. Roger & Val Have Just Got In, The Wrong Mans. What will your next TV/Film project be about?
Thank you.

There's been lots in the news recently about how female actors are treated/represented as they get older by their management - do you suffer the same kind of discrimination, and if so, how do you deal with it?

Huge fan, Dawn
Of you & Jennifer both
I love the fact that you have kept your dignity & humour despite life having thrown some fairly shitty cards at you
Inspiration to us all in our unpredictable lives
What is your advice to your daughter/ all our daughters?
xxx