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 again

At what point in Watermelon did you realise you could write a book from each sister's point of view? And what about Mammy Walsh? Doesn't she deserve a book of her own? I reckon she's got a few stories to tell! Love Mr Walsh, too, poor bugger.

@KinkyDorito

Hi Marian. Another aspiring writer being crippled by the dreaded procrastination (hence posting on here). I'm just wondering whether you ever procrastinate and, if you do, how you make yourself overcome it?

for some wonderful books.

Hi KinkyDorito, thanks for being so nice, and yes, I am TORMENTED by the dreaded procrastination and what I do is I make a 'contract' with myself every morning that I'll sit in front on my computer for an hour. Just an hour. Somehow the shortness of an hour takes the fear out of it and then usually I'm 'in'. I hope this helps. Good luck xxxx

Just another thing - apologies for so many posts - I really hope your dad's okay. I am very moved by the care you and your family are giving him; it shows the love he gave you.

Thank you xx

Oh, I've got another! I was going to tweet you about this but can't figure the thing out.

You've gone alarmingly slim. Is this due to your sugar ban? How have you found it and how quickly did the weight drop off? Won't ask how much you lost otherwise you'll be on the Daily Mail front page tomorrow.

Oops sorry Marian, I feel greedy for asking two questions - takes me so long to type on my phone that my posts are always years behind what's happening.

Thanks for answering & just keep on being you. X

Hello Marian!

Another massive fan of your books (and Twitter feed during Strictly obvs)

I think my favourite book of yours is Rachel's Holiday, mostly because I love Luke the Real Man

In spite of that I think Anna is my favourite Walsh sister, who is yours?

@hollyisalovelyname

I don't know what Marian has done to her face lately but she looks amazing.

Hi Holly, you are LOVELY!!!! Thanks a million! Well, first of all I lost some weight, so my 16 chins and my highly attractive jowls lessened. Also I've had IPL, which stimulates boo-coo de collagen (and hurts like buggery). Then I had a glycolic peel. And although I've always used shamefully-expensive skincare, I've been doing a retinol nightcream from Skinceutical. Always delighted to talk about skincare. Thank you very much xxxx

Thank you for answering my shoes question Marian. I really do LOVE your books. I'm about to re-read Under the Duvet (it's right here beside me) so I'm very much looking forward to your new one.

I hope you have a lovely night. xxx

@ImperialBlether

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 ImperialBlether, I'm not sure I put it in a book, but Mammy Keyes does it and I've talked about it in interviews, so maybe that's where you heard it? It's LOVELY isn't it? And I'll pass on your thanks to Mammy Keyes xxxx

I can't tell you how much I cried when Anna went back to NY and we found out what had happened.

And Luke, in Rachel's Holiday... he's very nice when he's tough with her, isn't he? I came over all unnecessary.

@MarianKeyes

[quote hollyisalovelyname] I don't know what Marian has done to her face lately but she looks amazing.

Hi Holly, you are LOVELY!!!! Thanks a million! Well, first of all I lost some weight, so my 16 chins and my highly attractive jowls lessened. Also I've had IPL, which stimulates boo-coo de collagen (and hurts like buggery). Then I had a glycolic peel. And although I've always used shamefully-expensive skincare, I've been doing a retinol nightcream from Skinceutical. Always delighted to talk about skincare. Thank you very much xxxx[/quote]

@ThursdayLastWeek

Hello Marian!

Another massive fan of your books (and Twitter feed during Strictly obvs)

I think my favourite book of yours is Rachel's Holiday, mostly because I love Luke the Real Man

In spite of that I think Anna is my favourite Walsh sister, who is yours?

Hi ThursdayLastWeek, funnily enough Anna is my favourite too! I think she's sweet and gentle. Thank you very very much xxxx

I'm such a huge fan and I've always been desperate to get to one of your book signings but sadly you're always quite far away and it's hard for me to travel (I have M.E). Any chance we could persuade you in the Dorset direction sometime? I make excellent cake! ;0)

P.S. My favourite book is This Charming Man - an absolute work of art. But your latest book is bloody hilarious and it's frightening how many I can relate to!

@SallyGardens

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 :)

Hi SallyGardens, lovely to meet you too! I've written a little ebook called the A-Z of Mammy Walsh where you find out a little bit about their courtship. thank you so much for being interested in them but my interest is always in writing about contemporary women (also feel too afeerd that I'll get the period detail wrong) so no current plans to write it, but thank you for asking xxxxxx

Hi Marian, I just wanted to say how much of an inspiration you have been to me over so many years, for so many reasons. I'm an addict in recovery, and your books have meant so much, particularly Rachel's Holiday, for obvious reasons.

I sound like a suck up. But I really do think you are marvellous, personally and professionally. And you look AMAZING

Hello Marian
I'm meant to be working elsewhere around the boards but wanted to pop along and say hello (shy) and say I haven't read many of your books lately (too many children not enough time) but that this thread has inspired me to do so.

Love love love watching you on ITT really make me laugh.
Two questions
What's the best advice you've been given?
Who do you follow on Twitter?

@ImperialBlether

Hi again

At what point in Watermelon did you realise you could write a book from each sister's point of view? And what about Mammy Walsh? Doesn't she deserve a book of her own? I reckon she's got a few stories to tell! Love Mr Walsh, too, poor bugger.

Hi ImperialBlether, when I wrote Watermelon, I'd no idea i'd even get published, so I had no plan whatsoever. I gave the Walshs 5 sisters because I come from a family of 5. It was just pure dumb luck that there were 5 of them so I could revisit the family 4 more times. And Mammy Walsh has had a little ebook called The A-Z of mammy Walsh. Thanks a million for the question

Get back to work, Olivia!

Imperial that's exactly the right way to put it - coming over all unnecessary . I enjoyed it when I first read it and far too young to really understand it, but I've enjoyed it more every time I've read it since.

Thank you Marian for answering my question! I love how fragile she is amongst her family.

@NotTheSpiceOfLife

Hi Marian, I just wanted to say how much of an inspiration you have been to me over so many years, for so many reasons. I'm an addict in recovery, and your books have meant so much, particularly Rachel's Holiday, for obvious reasons.

I sound like a suck up. But I really do think you are marvellous, personally and professionally. And you look AMAZING

Hi NotTheSpiceOfLife, thank you for letting me know and fair play to you, being in recovery is a courageous path. I salute you! I'm so glad I'm in recovery. And you are VERY very KIND!!! thanks a million xxxxxx

@CarrotCake30

I'm such a huge fan and I've always been desperate to get to one of your book signings but sadly you're always quite far away and it's hard for me to travel (I have M.E). Any chance we could persuade you in the Dorset direction sometime? I make excellent cake! ;0)

P.S. My favourite book is This Charming Man - an absolute work of art. But your latest book is bloody hilarious and it's frightening how many I can relate to!

Hi CarrotCake30, god love you having ME, it sounds appalling. Thank you for being so nice about my books. Dorset sounds gorgeous, the thing is I have to be invited by a festival or similiar before I get to go places for signings, but if anything comes up in the Dorset region, I'll say yes immediately and I'll arrive looking for cake! Thank you for your kindness. Big kisses xxxxxx

Hi Marian, another one here who just wants to say I love your books! I can't think of a really smart question so I'll ask an easy one - what's your favourite tv prog at the mo?