Come and chat to author Marian Keyes: Monday 4 June, 9pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Book club special: We’re excited to announce that Mumsnet fave Marian Keyes will be joining us on this thread for a webchat on Monday 4 June between 9 and 10pm, when she'll be answering your questions about her writing, life and hopefully throwing in a few beauty tips along the way.

Marian last joined us in Feb 2016. With no less than 13 novels, three collections of journalism, alongside an extremely honest account of her battle with depression, Saved by Cake, she’s one of Ireland’s greatest and most successful ever novelists. Her latest novel The Break - just out in paperback - has been described as “Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest, glorious” (Nina Stibbe). Marian was a vocal part in the 'Yes' campaign in the recent Irish referendum. Her social channels on Twitter and Instagram are followed by over 190k collectively.

Join Marian on Monday at 9pm - or post up a Q for her on this thread in advance. Join the chat for chance to win one of FIVE copies of The Break. Names will be pulled out of the hat just after the webchat

Welcome back to Mumsnet Marian Keyes. As you see from the questions and comments already in, mumsnetters are thrilled to have the opportunity to chat to you again this evening. You're in for a busy hour so we'll hand straight over to you...

Hello, it’s me. I’m thrilled to be back at Mumsnet. Thanks for you all being here, and not abandoning me for Love Island.

…or are you multi-tasking?

Oh I didn't realise Marian had liked the Danes! They were ace.
Lucy Sullivan is my favourite. I read it in 7 straight hours in an airport in 1997, or possibly early 1998. LS, along with Rachel/Watermelon/Last Chance and Sushi are on my.comfort food booklist and are reread regularly.
I've an ouchy question possibly..were you as horrified at the TV adaptation of Watermelon as I was? Would you let them do that to your books now? You mustn't- they don't need any fuckery doing to them. They are perfect as they are.
Very best wishes to you and your family, you've seen me through some angsty times and for that I thank you.

Another huge fan of all your books - I love checking in with how the Walsh sisters are getting on! I don't suppose you'd write another Walsh book from Claire's perspective? I luffs her!!!

Love island is rubbish!

Lovely to see you here Marian

Hello Marian!
I have just reread your non-fiction books. Writing sounds like a painful process at times - what makes you put so much pressure on yourself?

To Marvellous Magnificent Marian...

Your books have been with me since....oooooh well its quite a long time actually and they each resonate with me. Those well thumbed paperbacks have been my companions in good times and bad and so they happily live on my bookshelf with their crinkly spines and bus tickets for bookmarks.

This Charming Man was the book that woke me up because I was with a "Charming" Man. Except he wasn't. And I thank you for helping me find the courage to leave.

Best wishes from another Percy Pig fan.

🐷🐷

One question.When is your next book out?
Thanks a million, Doobydoo. I’m working on a new book (currently called All Their Secrets). I hope to finish by the end of this year, and the plan is, it will be out next Autumn. xxx

Sometimes when I'm having a particularly shite day I'll model myself on Katherine Casey and stare people down, sometimes until they run off crying. I'm assuming you do this too and if so, has it ever backfired?

Another fan here. Have enjoyed all your books, but I do think that Rachel's Holiday was a masterpiece.
Do you have a favourite book you've written? One that you somehow have a particular soft spot for?

Hi PavolovaPrincess and all the others who’ve asked about the Walshes. I’d love to get back to the Walsh family. The Break was originally going to be about Claire from Watermelon, but it didn’t work. I just couldn’t break up Claire and Adam. I’d like to write another Helen Walsh book – I have an idea for one called The Mystery of the Ridey Viking. And Mammy Walsh would be intriguing but intimidating. So I hope I haven’t seen the last of them.
There are often discussions about TV series and films, and nearly as often, nothing happens. We’re talking to people at the moment, but who knows? I don’t get too excited about this – for me, the books are enough. Thanks a million xxx

Hi Marian, love your books? Do you have any advice for a would be author (my 16 year daughter). Thank you 😊 She has already got a first draft of a novel and writes a lot.

Marian, first of all can I say thank you and well done for everything you did for the Repeal the 8th campaign? You (and the rest of the Twitter army!) were amazing.

However, more importantly, from one -hypochondriac- health aware, know every illness under the sun person to another, what is your current Ailment of the Month?

Thanks Downthe DuckPond, I’m still in a bit of a state of disbelief about Repeal. It's so fabaliss that it's hard to believe.
Himself wants to get in on the ailment of the month, as he had a cataract operation a couple of weeks ago, but you never know what might assail me! The excitement. Thanks a million xxxxxx

Any hints or tips on transporting Mr RedPandaFluff and how best to integrate him into Irish society . . . ?

Thanks RedPandaFluff, have you tried a gentle introduction? A few holidays involving whatever his interests are. Himself likes the irish hills, the irish music and the sport, so he was easy to transplant. Be stealthy, is my advice! Show him the best bits (although it's all the best bits, if you ask me.) Good luck with it all xxxx

Hi Marian, just agreeing with all,the previous posts, I love your books & characters, especially the Walsh family I was so delighted when I stumbled across them many years ago, they transported me home & I felt I knew them especially the language & sayings, it was the first time a book had really made me laugh out loud, because it felt familiar & weirdly comforting.

I've been reading your books for years. Recently read The Break. Was this deliberately released to coincide with the amend the 8th referendum? It certainly gave us an opportunity to discuss and educate at book club. Here in England the referendum was woefully under reported (until it was done and dusted)!

I'm late to the webchat but just wanted to say This Charming Man is a book which has it all, humour mixed up with such serious issues. Not sure how you manage it but you make us laugh while making us think. Thank you

My question is, was Thomas based on anyone you know and did they recognise themselves with their snap shut coin purse and “I speak as I find”-iness?
Hi Onslow, none of my charcters are based on real people, I think that would be really mean. But little characteristics from one person might get added to a feature from another to make up a whole new character. Now and again people think they see themselves or someone they know in one of my characters, but hand-on-heart, I'd never knowingly include a real person.
Thanks a million! xxx

Marian, I adore you. I first read Watermelon as a teen, and it’s the book that I keep going back to.

Who is your favourite Walsh family member?

Hi Marian, I'm so excited that you are here tonight. I have read, reread, and loved your novels over the years. I even based my dissertation on your books because I accidentally read too many of those over the summer I was supposed to be researching something entirely different. I just couldn't tear myself away from your books (& luckily I did well in my degree so thank you!) Himself even kindly responded to a few of my queries so big thanks to him too!

I have a very serious question...have you Taken Agin anything recently?

And also, I have no way of saying this without sounding clumsy but I am so delighted that you found your happy writing place again, you will always be my favourite.

Do you have any tips for aspiring novelists? And by aspiring I mean sitting around silently fuming at myself that I think I could write a book but haven't because I can't think of anything decent.

Much love and salutes, you're fab!

Now that Ireland is slowly making its way into a new era, what other changes would you want to see, and what things would you want to stay the same?

I was just wondering as you are honest about being a recovering alcoholic, do you attend AA meetings regularly these days?

The thing with AA, Happypuppy, is that the second A is anonymous. And that’s not just to protect the alcoholic, but also to protect the fellowship. If someone says they go to AA, and they relapse, it doesn’t reflect well, so it’s a tradition not to talk about it (I did a bit when I was first sober, because I didn’t realise this).

I would love to read more about Mammy Walsh. Maybe a 'the early years' or something?

Some of the Mammy Walsh moments/lines/descriptions are my favourites in all your wonderful books. Touching, warm, sharp, poignant, funny...all at once.

So yes...more of mammy?

And absolutely...with such political shenanigans on both sides of the Atlantic, Repeal is a shining bright bit of hope.

Actually, on that, in these troubled times of the truth hanging off a cliff and getting it's fingertips stamped on by those who are supposed to uphold it, thanks for the abiding honesty in your books. It's uplifting, even when the subject matter isn't, if you see what I mean.

Hello Marian! Thank you for the books - you rock. It's my birthday tomorrow - what sweet treat should I celebrate with?!

Your books seemed to have got angrier over time, is this because the world is shitter or because when you get to our age you see things for what they are
I hadn’t noticed that drwitch. I’m still proud of the rant that Claire has about abortion in Watermelon. Maybe the balance has changed over time, but it’s not deliberate.