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.

You're fabulous Marian! I have an Ikea bookcase - one shelf is devoted to your books, one to Bill Bryson and one to Terry Pratchett. Everything else gets muddled up together. Favourite and re-read a million times is Sushi for Beginners, I think. Anyway, enough of all that! Do you still live in Dublin and do you get recognised out and about?

@Fitzers

I am a big fan of your writing and have read all your novels. Rachel's Holiday is my favourite as it really resonated with me at the stage of life I was at when it came out.

I also really loved Saved by Cake, I know that the book was born out of dealing with some dark times and I thought how you discussed that in the book was so open and honest and I've had a lot of fun with the recipes, so thank you! I also find a lot of solace in cooking and baking and I was just wondering if that's something you still have time to do now and again and if you might publish another baking book at some stage?

Hi Fitzers, thank you for being so nice about my books and I’m glad you get comfort from your own baking. I’m afraid there are no plans for another baking book because while the baking helped me survive the horrors, nowadays I feel a lot better and anything baking-related catapults me right back into the worst times. These days I never bake. But it’s all grand – it fulfilled its purpose at the time and now mercifully, things are a lot better. Thanks very much xxxxx

@APlaceOnTheCouch

Hi Marian, I love your books. I love the balance between light and dark. Thank you for writing them

My friend had Guillain-Barre syndrome so I found The Woman Who Stole My Life an unexpectedly intense and emotional read.

You've been very open about being an alcoholic and living with depression. Your honesty is inspirational, But do you ever think 'oh, I wish I hadn't shared that?'

I'm looking forward to reading your new collection of essays.

Hi AplaceOnTheCouch, thank you for being so nice about my books. In general, I don’t feel ‘Oh I wish I hadn’t shared that’ because it’s just the way I am, I’d rather be open and honest. And I feel that alcoholism and mental illness aren’t moral failings, they don’t make me a bad person, so I shouldn’t be ashamed of discussing them as one aspect of who I am. Thank you for the question and I really hope you like the new book, I think there’s a lot of fun in it xxxx

A quick one- do you write on pc or computer. Do you write at specific times or in specific places? Thank you!

@liberatedwine

Love love love every single book you've written Marian.

My question - with regards to banjoing furniture (I love your creations!) did you know banjoing means something entirely different according to Urban Dictionary?

Oh and please more Walsh family dramas

Hi liberatedwine, thank you SO MUCH for being so nice about my books. Now about the ‘Banjoing’ , I don’t know what they Urban Dictionary says it is, but in Ireland it means ‘broken, in bits, wrecked.’ (I’m guessing the urban dictionary says the same?) And see, when I started at my own furniture banjoing, the vogue was making the ‘pieces’ look sunbleached and vintage and – yeah – a bit wrecked. So I appropriated the word because ‘Shabby Chic’ was already in vogue and I wanted my own version of it. Thanks a million xxxxx

@Amaksy

Hi Marian,

Hope you're well and thanks for doing this chat. It's always nice to get to know or learn about authors. My question is what book are you reading at the moment? And if you could co-write with someone who's would that be?

Hi Amaksy. I’m reading a proof copy of a debut from an Irish author Bernice Barrington, it’s a thriller called Sisters and Lies and I’m not far into it, but it’s really good. Also I’m very excited about Nina Stibbe’s new novel which will be out soon. As for co-writing – I couldn’t do it. I know collaborations work wonderfully for lots of authors but it wouldn’t be for me. I’m so single-minded in my voice and my vision that I’d be incapable of writing any other way. Thanks very much

@blanketneeded

Ah Marian, I luffs you, truly. I love your books, your taste, your honesty. In one of your books you said 'everyone knows that food eaten standing up has no calories ...' My question is: Is this really true? Because I can't tell you how much freedom that fact brought to me. Also, if one only eats half a biscuit, then puts the other half back in the packet (same applies to breakfast bars, Snickers, etc) are the calories consumed similarly ethereal? - Because they weren't really consumed were they? Being only half, and not taken out of their wrapper, etc.

Hi blanketneeded! Yes! Yes, yes, yes! All true. ALL OF IT!!!! XXXXXXX

@Baconyum

Another big fan. I even referred to your books when doing my English degree and converted a lecturer.

My favourite is Rachel's holiday, so clear that you understand addiction. But also have thoroughly enjoyed your other work including articles.

As a fellow depressive what one thing would you like to change for women with mental illness?

Hi Baconyum, well, thank you SO MUCH! I’m really honoured. Thank you! Beams xxxxx

@flipflop77

Currently reading new book and enjoying it. Would just like to add my total respect to marian for being so candid about mental health issues and addiction. Your honesty brings a lot of comfort to many. My question is : Do you venture North of the border at all and if so, what is your impression of the place? ( won't be offended

Hi flipflop77, thank you for your kindness. Now when you say north of the border, do you mean the Irish border or the British border? Because if you’re talking about Scotland, I’ve been MILLIONS of times and love it, love the people (great fun) and the cities and the landscape. One holiday myself and Himself went on a driving holiday right up to the north of Scotland – and onto a ferry to Orkney! Yeah, I know, right! Funnily enough, I’ve been to the North of Ireland less frequently than to Scotland, but love it also. And what would I change for women with a mental illness? Well, if people realised that there’s a big difference between depression with a small ‘d’ and Depression with a big ‘D’ – they’re 2 very different things. Thanks very much xxxxx

@KimmySchmidtsSmile

Hi Marian

I know you watch Strictly but wouldn't do it yourself but who would be in your dream cast for 2016 and are you over Jameliagate yet?!

Hi KimmySchmidtsSmile. Ah, I’m long over Jameliagate – funny how these things seem SO important at the time. For 2016, I’d LOVE to see Jose Mourinho! I’d give ANYTHING! Sadly, it’s highly unlikely but it’s nice to dream. And Sur Alan, that’d be a laugh. And Dara O’Brien. And Ant and Dec. But I’m getting into some reality show mash-up thing here, so I’d better stop. Thanks a million

I first met you, via Lucy Sullivan, in 97 at Milan airport and I read the whole book in 7 hrs. It's still my favourite and one of my comfort food books like Last Chance Saloon and Sushi for beginners...

My question is a bit, erm, tricky...The telly adaptations....would you let them do that again? (don't please, your stuff is better than that)

I love Katherine with a K best. I might have a comfort food read again soon...I always use your description of Tara's awful fella to teach my daughter what to avoid in a handsome swain.

@BloodyPlantagenets

I'd like to ask you what you think about the cuts to Mental Health services, and the lack of beds for women? A friend of mine recently had to wait days and eventually was sent miles away from her home and family after they sectioned her, causing her further unnecessary distress. She's currently on a ward with three loos between twenty unwell women, it's noisy and uncomfortable.

Hi BloodyPlantagenets, of course it’s appalling. Now, I must stress that I live in Ireland and because of that I don’t have the right to criticise the government of another country. Nevertheless, I feel that in general, mental illness isn’t treated as quite a ‘real’ illness. And when a government is commited to low taxation, the lack of money will be felt somewhere and clearly it’s impacting on psychiatric care. I’m so sorry about your friend. It sounds hellish xxxxxx

@Coconutty

I've got another question.

Would you rather go in the jungle or the big brother house?

Hi Coconutty. Big Brother House. No contest! I wouldn’t survive 5 minutes in the jungle!

@ToElleWithIt

Another huge fan here. I've devoured all your books and read most more than once.

My question is: Is someone you know an actuary? I was ridiculously excited to read about an actuary in a fictional novel as it's not a career that usually features heavily in literature or film (in fact I can't think of a single other instance) - with good reason I suspect... In fact now that I think about it nearly all of your characters have very normal jobs and you always depict the tedium and ridiculous nature of all kinds of work very accurately and humorously. Do you draw on your own work history to do this or do you get input from friends?

Hi ToElleWithIt, how lovely you are! Well, my sister Rita-Anne is an actuary! So now for you! And my dad was an accountant. And for a long, long, long, looooooooong time I was an accounts clerk in a basement office, so I’m well acquainted with ‘very normal jobs’. Thank you so much

Do you do anything special to get your creative juices flowing for your writing?

And/or more personally (because I've always wondered)...do you have a favourite type of music?

@Gooseysgirl

Hi Marian, as with other posters I love all your books! My absolute favourite is Rachel's Holiday and I've read loads of times over the years, especially when I need a good laugh! Which leads me to my question... what are your 'go-to' reads when you want to read something laugh out loud funny?

Hi Gooseysgirl, I love Nina Stibbe, Lissa Evans, Marina Lewycka, Laurie Graham and an Irish writer called Ross O’Carroll Kelly. Thanks for the question

Sorry for not being clear- referring to Northern Ireland!! We are nice up here and not all feckin eejits. Donegal is especially lovely. You need to visit!!! Thanks so much for answering.xx

@Estelle71

You've inspired me to follow a dream and write. I've been writing for thirty years but now I'm writing a novel that I want to submit for publication. What is the best advice you can give a novice like me? X

Hi Estelle71, fair play to you for following your dream. Advice? Respect your writing – carve time out of your life that is exclusively dedicated to your writing and be prepared to sacrifice other things you do. (When I started, I got up an hour earlier every day, and wrote before my day job.) Often joining a writing group can be great for support and discipline. Once you’ve written the book you MUST get an agent – the Writers and Artists Year Book lists all the agents in the UK and says what genre they represent. But mostly, enjoy it! And I wish you all the luck in the world

@Notstayingup

Hey Marian - love your books and have really all of them more that once (saddo!) Just wanted to say your description of Fintan's illness in Last Chance Saloon made me nag my brother to go back to the Drs when he was getting fobbed off when he was really poorly with a variety of symptoms that no one would take seriously and he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Lukemia on the back of a blood test I made him have - saved his life and I always credit you with that!

Another one that would love another Walsh family story!

Hi NotstayingUp, OMG!!! That’s astonishing. Fair play to you and I really hope he’s well now and thank you so so so much for your niceness to me xxxxxx

@roundtable

Hi Marian, I love your books. Just wondered if any of them are going to be made into a film at all? I'd love to see the Walsh sisters on screen although people would have strong views as to what they should look/be like!

Hi roundtable, thanks for your kindness. Rachel’s Holiday has been under option for about 300 years – god only knows if it’ll ever be made, but I haven’t bought my dress for the premier just yet…

Hi Marian,
Loving all of your work and am probably about due to start them again from 'Rachel's Holiday' onwards ... My question is: were you in camp Donny (Osmond) or David (Cassidy) growing up - or were you far too cool for either?
And ... what was the first live concert you went to see? Of someone famous, I mean, not the cover band down your local

@Lightbulbon

Hi

I'm not really much of a fiction reader but I loved your under the duvet books-any plans to do another?

Hi Lightbulbon, you’re in luck! I’ve got one out RIGHT NOW!!! Called Making it Up As I Go Along. Thank you very much for your enthusiasm.

May I ask you something about mental health too, please, Marian? Is there any small tip that has got you through days you've found difficult? I have my own troubles with depression, and know many friends do too. I really admire the way you've spoken out and made it a little bit easier for people who can come across as very outgoing and humorous to admit that they sometimes struggle.

Hi Marian. I'd just like to thank you for the housekeeping tip - sorry, can't for the life of me remember which book - where the heroine puts a duvet under the bottom sheet. It's like sleeping in the warmest marshmallow you can imagine. Thank you!

Hi Marian, nice to meet you :)

I've asked on Twitter (I think) but is there any chance of getting Mammy and Daddy Walsh's back story from their courting days? I'd love to find out how they got together in the first place.

Thanks :)