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.

@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, I did a reply to you, but I don't see it posted? Did you get it. Sorry for being a tech-y eejit!

Ooh yes Marian, as Coconutty says, Aldi caviar face cream is fabulous - has Aldi made it over to Ireland? If not, we could send you some

Marian, I think one reason you're so loved is that we hear your true voice, whether you're writing a novel or twittering away or talking live. There's no pretence there.

Now. Do you have a telephone voice?

@PresidentOliviaMumsnet

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?

Hi PresidentOliviaMumsnet, thank you for dropping in and saying hello and thank you about ITT! God, I LOVE that show! On twitter I follow nice people, people who make me laugh or who are kind, rarely celebs, or that lark. I'm far more interested in regular people and I find there are an awful lot of nice, kind people out there. And best piece of advice? Do your best, I suppose. I know it's banal, but there's great comfort in it. Thanks again xxx

Hi Marian, yes I just saw it now, thank you.

I'd still.love the full story of Mammy Walsh though :)

@Piffpaffpoff

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?

Hi Piffpaffpoff, thank you for being so nice about my books and I'm always delighted to talk about telly! I'm watching Jessica Jones and loving it. And I'm keenly awaiting the new season of Scandal (Team Jake!) And some Icelandic yoke called Trapped started last Saturday on BBC4 and I'm told it's brilliant. Thanks for such a lovely question xxxx

Hi Marian. I'm a fellow Paddy, a fellow alcoholic and a fellow sufferer from depression (for my sins). I just wanted to applaud you for speaking out publicly about your struggles with alcoholism and Depression (see the capital D thing I did there!). ;)

What would you say to people who fail to understand the severity of mental illness and who feel that it's not comparable to physical illness?

What would you say to people who tell alcoholics that they are horrible selfish arsewipes who should just get their acts together?

Also - how do you handle the emotional highs and lows of fame and the 'almost' mania of creative inspiration, as an alcoholic?

@GloriaHotcakes

I loved The Other Side Of The Story too and would love a follow-up with some of these characters too, if possible.

Are you a Mumsnetter?

Hi GloriaHotcakes, I'm so glad you liked The Other side of the Story. Now, I'm not a Mumsnetter because sadly, I don't have nippers. But whenever I've done a webchat on Mumsnet, I've 'met' lovely people so maybe I should. But between twitter and Instagram and my rigorous-telly-watching schedule, I'd never get ANYTHING done. Thanks a million xxxx

I cannot think of a single question, but just wanted to say I love your books and Rachel's holiday is my absolute fav, just a pity that on re-reading I'll never get that shock realisation that I got the first time of reading when I realised she was in fact .... (Aargh don't know how to say it - don't want to give plot away)

And - it's 'banjaxed' where I come from! ;) ... the arsehole of nowhere... don't ever go there.

Thanks for answering my question Marian you are so lovely! I too love Scandal and saw the latest new ep last week (by naughty means) and all I can say is - you will LOVE it!!

I didn't know you were on here tonight just saw himself posting on the twitters about it!!

My question is have you any top tips as to where us not 20 year olds could be buying decent wearable non arse showing clothes these days?

Hi Marian, I love your books and I'm an avid follower of both you and himself on Twitter, you always make me laugh and it's clear to see the affection your followers have for you. My question is do you enjoy tweeting or do you feel obliged to do it?

and a less invasive question in case you don't want to answer my previous rather personal ones.

Did you have to learn how to write a novel? Or did it come to you naturally?

Nipping in to say; wow, you're doing a great job Marian. There's just 10 mins to get your questions in, so do it swiftly....

@HaveIGotAClue

Hi Marian. I'm a fellow Paddy, a fellow alcoholic and a fellow sufferer from depression (for my sins). I just wanted to applaud you for speaking out publicly about your struggles with alcoholism and Depression (see the capital D thing I did there!). ;)

What would you say to people who fail to understand the severity of mental illness and who feel that it's not comparable to physical illness?

What would you say to people who tell alcoholics that they are horrible selfish arsewipes who should just get their acts together?

Also - how do you handle the emotional highs and lows of fame and the 'almost' mania of creative inspiration, as an alcoholic?

Hi HaveIGotAClue, thanks for getting in touch. I think it's unfortunate that some people don't realise that alcoholism or mental illness aren't moral failings. But when people don't want to understand, I feel they should be entitled to their opinions. However, I do feel that things are changing (slowly) for the better. All the very best and yes, I appreciate the capital 'D' :)

Poor Marian, she must be knackered.

@GloriaHotcakes

Loads of mumsnetters don't have nippers, some are even men

It's great on here. Name change and come join us!

(See, we have cake, I know your weakness)

What?!?! How did I not know this?!?! Cake, you say?!?! Right, well, count me in. So I get myself a nickname, do I? Okay! Well! This is a bit thrilling. Thanks very much xxxxx

Just want to say i love the letter in the other side of the story where Anton says something like "you'll always be my beginning, middle and end". Seriously contemplated shoe horning it into my wedding stationery, but clearly the context didn't really work!

Thank you - and go n-eirí an bóthar leat mo chara! Best of luck for continued good health and a long and fruitful career.

@ShebaQueen

Hi Marian, I love your books and I'm an avid follower of both you and himself on Twitter, you always make me laugh and it's clear to see the affection your followers have for you. My question is do you enjoy tweeting or do you feel obliged to do it?

Hi ShebaQueen, thank you for being so nice about my books and I ADORE Twitter! It's a source of huge, real happiness to me and I do it ENTIRELY for my own enjoyment. I've met such great, lovely people on it, I get so many laughs and I LOVE it! Thanks a million xxxxx

The good thing about Mumsnet, Marian, is you can make a complete arse of yourself then name change and come in and tell yourself off!

I don't have a good question & I'm coming late to this but I'd like to say how much I enjoy your work & respect you.