Webchat with Marian Keyes, Thursday 18 February, 9-10pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Author Marian Keyes is returning to Mumsnet on Thursday 18th February between 9 and 10pm. Marian’s last visit was a huge success and we’re delighted that she’s agreed to join us this time for an evening webchat, to tell us about her new non-fiction book.

Making it up as I go along presents Marian’s funny, candid and heartfelt observations on modern life. It’s her third collection of essays (her first to be written in the twitter era) and shares her thoughts on the tricky business of being a woman in today’s demanding world.

Come and chat to Marian on Thursday 18th Feb between 9 and 10pm or if you're unable to join us at that time, post up your questions for Marian in advance on this thread.

Hi Marian- may I just say that I adore you? I am reading your book right now, and only found out about this webchat because I was sharing snippets of the chapter about Leg Hair with women in a beauty Facebook group, MrsGloss&TheGoss, and howling in recognition at phrases like "sometimes I swear I can actually see them growing -like that cute moment when the chicken breaks his shell" . I am so enjoying it- I've been laughing out loud, and at this rate I may even miss tonight's The Good Wife...

Just keep on being you, you are wonderful.

Test!!

Horrah! you're on. Thanks for agreeing to join us this eve Marian. We'll see you back in 10 mins.

Hello everyone! Thankyou, Mumsnet, for having me, and I’m all yours for the next hour. I’ll do my best to get through as many questions as possible, and off we go!

@coffeeisnectar

I have read every book except the new one and without fail have enjoyed them all. Thank you for all your wonderful stories!

My question is, if you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? But you can't have idris Elba because he's mine :o

Hi Coffeeisnectar, thanks for your kindness. Could it be my granny? My Mammy’s mammy? She died when I was 12 and I felt I never got to know her properly. I remember her as being great fun, but she lived through the war of Independence and she probably had tons of interesting stories. Thank you.

@RocketQueen79

I'd like to thank Marian for getting me in to reading. I've loved every single book so far but Rachel's Holiday is my favourite. Although I am quite lazy these days and get Mr Audible to read books to me.

My question is:

I've you could acquire one skill without having to do an ounce of training, what would it be? e.g. Sugarcraft, karate, bricklaying

Hi RocketQueen79, thank you for being so lovely about my books. I think it would be great to be a Bikram master. My pal Posh Kate does it religiously and gets so much from it on so many levels. I’d love to be bendy and brilliant without having to do an ounce of training. Thanks a million

@Luc28

Are any of your book characters or story lines 'inspired' by your real life friends or family or totally fictional?

Hi Luc28. Some storylines are definitely inspired by my own life – like Rachel’s Holiday was informed by my own stint in rehab. And in The Mystery of Mercy Close, Helen’s depression was very similar to what I went through. As for characters, I would never put a real person into a book, I think that would be really mean. But all my characters are composites of dozens and dozens of characteristics gleaned from real people – which means sometimes people think they recognise themselves or someone they know in my books. But genuinely, I make up my characters. Thanks a million for the question

@angie95

Hi.Marian, I love all your books. My question is, if you had to pick a different time period, which would it be? Thanks Angie95

Hi angie95, thank you for being so nice about my books. Now, I’m not sure I know the answer to your question because I think no matter when we’re alive, the human condition is essentially the same. I’m quite happy being alive now. I know that’s probably disappointing to hear but when I look back at so-called golden ages (Swinging 60s, maybe) I think they weren’t golden for everyone. So ‘now’ will do me fine. Thanks

@CrushedNinjas

I love all your books and you strike me as a cool 'City Chick' with your love of beauty products and fab shoes but have you ever fancied having a go at 'The good life', growing your own veggies and keeping chickens?

Hi CrushedNinjas, what a lovely thing to say, although I feel so UNCOOL. (I’m very suburban.) At times I DO have wild notions about moving to the back-a*se of nowhere but it would be a disaster – I’m afraid of hens, I think they have funny eyes, and I don’t like getting mud under my nails and I’d probably have to if I was growing cabbages. The one thing that does appeal to me is not having to comb my hair or put on make-up or wear high heels, just shambling around in an ancient jumper and a pair of wellingtons. Thanks very much.

I'm Irish born living in the uk. I love your work, it's like chatting to my lovely Irish friends in the uk and the ones back home. Watermelon is our best man's (city lawyer) favourite book

best man

@Theimpossiblegirl

I love love love your work! My question: Did you have a Mammy like Mammy Walsh?

Hi Theimpossiblegirl. Thank you SO MUCH for your enthusiasm! I have Mammy Keyes, who has some characteristics in common with Mammy Walsh (for example: a freezer full of Magnums.) But Mammy Keyes is a lot gentler and sweeter than Mammy Walsh – I’m quite terrified of Mammy Walsh… xxx

@Sidge

I absolutely love Marian's books and have done for years. Anyone that refers to them as 'chick lit' is doing them a disservice IMO, they're far more intelligent and gritty than that, dealing with some really big issues.

My question would be - who would be your Dinner Party 5? The 5 guests, dead or alive, that you'd have round?

Hi Sidge, I’m SO boring. I’d have my mammy’s parents (both dead), my sister Caitriona because she lives in New York and I don’t get to see her enough. And… let’s see… My brother Tadhg’s son, Baby Teddy (he’s 13 months) because I ADORE him. And probably Mammy Keyes. I know! I’m pathetic! When I could have said Aidan Turner and other ridey men… Thanks for the question

@ChessieFL

My question is - will there be another Walsh book? Claire's daughter is old enough to get her own book now!

Hi ChessieFL, thanks for the interest in the Walshs. I’m not sure is the honest answer. Recently I started to try to write a sequel to Watermelon, but it involved splitting up Claire and Adam (because there’s never a story if there’s no sadness) and I just couldn’t do it!!! It made me too sad. I’ve never believed in writing sequels for that reason. But yes, Kate is 21 now, and I’m definitely open to the idea, because I love the Walshs so much. Thank you

Hi Marian,
If you could put anything in room 101 what would it be and why?

@Coconutty

Oooh I forgot to ask a question.

What's your favourite Mac lipstick colour?

Hi Coconutty, I like Russian Red. It’s a full-on siren red, but it’s not as orangey as Ruby Woo. Thanks for the question – I’m always delighted to talk about make-up

Hi Marian!

Is "The Compliment Slip" story true?

Thanks for the wonderful books. "Is anybody out there" hugely poignant for me x

'Ridey' is one of the best adjectives I've ever heard. Thank you for that.

@Cocolepew

Oh I love you. Question, would you do Strictly if asked and who would you want to be partnered with?

Hi Cocolepew, you are SO LOVELY! Thanks. Now, see, the thing is I love Strictly so so so so much and it means so much to me – I DEPEND on it to get me through. And I’m the world’s worst dancer. I can hardly stand up without falling over. I would be a DIS-AAAAAASTER DARLING! Worse than David Dickenson and Anne Widdecomb and John Sargent. And it would mean that I could never again watch the show without feeling EXTREME shame. So sadly the answer is no. But thank you for the question

You need to join Mrs Gloss on fb

@U2HasTheEdge

Marian! I adore you and your books. Dh does too, we especially like Rachel's Holiday.

My question- a light and fluffy one! Did you always want to be a writer? and if you couldn't be a writer what career do you think you would have had instead?

Hi U2HasTheEdge, thank you for being so nice! I didn’t want to be a writer until I was 30. I was working as an account’s clerk until then, and training to be an accountant. My heart wasn’t really in it, so I feel ridiculously fortunate to be able to work now as a writer. Thanks a million xxxxx

@Wagglebees

What are your very favourite shoes or boots and why? Please and thank you. :)

Like lots of people you've been a real comfort and inspiration to me at various tough times in my life. I've just had a clear out of books and all of the ones by you were the first to go into the 'Definitely Keeping' pile. They're the type of books that soothe your heart as soon as you clap eyes o them again. Thank you very much for writing. x

Hi Wagglebees, always delighted to talk about shoes. There’s a Spanish brand called Chie Mihara (ChieStore, if you’re interested) and they have BEEEEE-YOOOO-TEEEEE-FUL shoes – great colours and excellent heels (high but not ridiculous) and a very wide range of sizes! xxxxx

Ridey I bloody love that word! Reminds me of watching The Commitments which I also bloody love. Oh, and Marion as well obvs

@RozTheSchnoz

Hi Marian. HUGE fan here. Your books are so interesting and entertaining. I hope you are happy and free of dark times. My question is: what would it take for you to be persuaded to do Strictly? They get you on the Friday panel but you would be so brilliant on the show. Imagine if you were paired with anyone but Pasha?!

Hi RozTheSchnoz, thank you for reading my books. Now, I’m sorry to disappoint you, after you being so nice to me, but I could NEVER do Strictly. I love it too TOO much and really, I’d be atrocious. Like ATROCIOUS! And all the judges would mock me, even lovely Darcy and then I could never watch it again because it would retrigger my shame…. So I’m sorry Roz xxxxxxxx