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.

Dear Dawn,
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?

Thank you for being an insperation to us all. Your weightloss inspired me to begin my own I have lost 8.5 stone and my mother had no idea I will surprise her for her birthday. I know weight is not an issue for you you have stated it is just a shell, but are you aware of the thousands of women you have helped inspire. We love your comedy and books I can't wait to read your new book.

Hi Dawn , What are your plans for the future , anymore comedies coming up ?

Oh and do you use MN ?

How long does it take to write a book? And are there more books in the pipeline? Love your work...whether your on stage, TV or writing a book, you always make me smile ?? and I even pee myself just a little bit when I'm laughing so hard at your antics ??. Good Look with the book..although I'm sure you don't need it! Xxx

Another long term fan :) Welcome Dawn. My question is, 'Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?'

Hello all Mumsnetters,

Dawn FartyFrench here, ready and willing to be probed all over. So here we go.

Hi Dawn! I saw that Jennifer has finally got her arse in gear and the Ab Fab movie will be out next year. You are one of the exec producers, right? Are you also going to do a cameo in the film?? please say you are

@purplepandas

Another long term fan :) Welcome Dawn. My question is, 'Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?'

Sorry to be cheesy but truthfully, it's my mum. She told me so many things that I remember, that I think of and use daily. For instance, she always said that "the only way out is through 'and' every day, clean slate". So true.

Hi dawn

Really big fan!

I use you often in conversation as an example of a great modern women to aspire to in Britain

Iv got all your books so far and have enjoyed them immensely, so without knowing plot etc of your new book I know il love it!

My question is a little selfish so apologies in advance.

I'd love to see more of you in Scotland every time I hear of a tour, show, book signing etc you never seem to manage to get up to the Bonnie land of the scots, so my question is, will we see you next time you have a "thing" that gets you travelling? Or maybe an edinburgh festival show? (Holding my breath in anticipation

@TanteRose

Hi Dawn! I saw that Jennifer has finally got her arse in gear and the Ab Fab movie will be out next year. You are one of the exec producers, right? Are you also going to do a cameo in the film?? please say you are

This film comes out of our production company, Saunders and French. But it is Jennifer's project. Mind you, I'd like to remind you that it is only happening because I bet her £100,000 that she WOULDN'T write it. She was terrified that she would lose the money so she did indeed write the script. She has so far written two tiny parts for me which she has then proceeded to cut the next day. So who knows if I will be in it? Watch this space.

I'm just delighted that it's happening at all! And let me tell you the script is v v good.

@Clawdy

Hi Dawn, what are your favourite three books ? Apart from yours,of course!

First one is The Velveteen Rabbit (brilliant about being real)

Decline and Fall (Waugh at his hilarious best)

Puckoon (Spike Milligan, utter genius)

why did the production company change its name from French and Saunders to Saunders and French?

@Janhans

Hi Dawn my great niece is at Falmouth and was thrilled to see you! Love all your books-how about some for 11 years and older children?

I couldn't be happier than when I am wearing my crown as Chancellor of Falmouth University. Did you know that I give each graduate a chocolate coin with my head on (the Dawn Dubloon) along with their degree?

After all, you can't eat a degree.

Well, you can. But they're not very tasty.

Brilliant! so looking forward to the film

@Motherinferior78

1. Which novel do you wish you had written?

1. How do you feel about the way female writers are marketed? Do you feel that chick lit style book covers make a difference to how a novel is perceived?

1. What makes literature 'good?'

1. I wish I had written "And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief As Photos" by John Berger. Honestly it is genius and quite short.

Hi Dawn

What was your favourite childrens' book and which one did you enjoy reading to yours the most?

Thanks
Kate

@Kidsmama3

why did the production company change its name from French and Saunders to Saunders and French?

Because Fatty Saunders was feeling all left out and unimportant so wanted to go first for a change.

@LocalEditorWestSussex

Hi Dawn

What was your favourite childrens' book and which one did you enjoy reading to yours the most?

Thanks
Kate

My favourite book as a kid was "The Family From One End Street" (Eve Garnett).

My daughter's favourite books were all the Winnie The Pooh books. Easy to do good voices aloud.

LOL Thanks :) I still think of you guys as French and Saunders :)

LOL Thanks smile I still think of you guys as French and Saunders smile (sorry posted that on the wrong post)

@Ginkypig

Hi dawn

Really big fan!

I use you often in conversation as an example of a great modern women to aspire to in Britain

Iv got all your books so far and have enjoyed them immensely, so without knowing plot etc of your new book I know il love it!

My question is a little selfish so apologies in advance.

I'd love to see more of you in Scotland every time I hear of a tour, show, book signing etc you never seem to manage to get up to the Bonnie land of the scots, so my question is, will we see you next time you have a "thing" that gets you travelling? Or maybe an edinburgh festival show? (Holding my breath in anticipation

When I went on tour last year with my one woman show Thirty Million Minutes, I brought it to Scotland you ninkwink! Where were you? We missed you.

I am bringing it into the West End, to the Vaudeville Theatre from November 11th for a month, so you haven't missed it completely. See you there.

Thanks, sounds like your Mum was a very wise lady. I need to learn from her wise words! Thank you.

@dinkystinky

Dawn - thank you for coming on, I love your work.

What's your best way of beating writers block?

The best way is to sit at your desk until something happens. I sit down at nine o'clock every morning when I'm writing. Other than an hour of rubbish TV at lunchtime I stay at that desk til 5pm. Some days I write one sentence. Some days I write seven pages. So long as I keep writing (anything), I don't get writer's block. Not thus far, anyway. Gulp!