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

Hi Marian. Marks out of 10, how much did you enjoy the Eurovision this year and what did you make of the eventual winner?

Hi ThatEscalatedQuickly – I thnk Eurovision has got so much more fun since Twitter. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bit rubbish, maybe it’s better that way – highly enjoyable.

Is it a hard thing to try and keep something of yourself when you are so honest in your writings and dealings?
Love your books ...

Hi, I've just finished "The Break" and loved it - but I was wondering about the spelling of the characters names? They're Irish names but not spelled in the Irish way? As an Irish person it kind of irritated me tbh (didn't stop me loving the book though!) I appreciate that maybe the Irish spellings could have been challenging for some readers but why not give them non Irish names instead?

Hi Inkspellme – compromise! I love irish names, but I think it’s important for a reader not to be put off wondering how to pronounce them.

I've been reading your books for over 20 years and I adore the way you capture my feelings so well, on depression and relationships. Like many readers I end up very attached to your characters - might you ever consider a sequel to anything? I guess the Walsh books are sort of follow ups (and they are wonderful).
I’m not really a fan of sequels, FromBothSidesNow. I feel that I’ve left my characters in a more or less happy place, so I don’t want to come back, and say – Well you thought they were happy, but actually… As I’ve said elsewhere, The Break did start out being about Claire Walsh, but I couldn’t do it for that reason.

I would love to know who is your favourite of all of your characters and why

Well, TellMeItsNotTrue, it is like asking a parent that. Of course, parents do have a favourite child, but they can’t admit it. I do like many of my characters in different ways, but I’d admit to a fondness for Anna Walsh.

Just popped in to say hi to my fab twittry amigo “preens and twirls”

You are a sats I luffs your work, just gave my English friend Under the Duvet as an introduction and she loved it and dreamt in Irish, the power of your words .

Will introduce her to the Walsh’s next. Keep up the good work re everything following you on Twitter helps my homesickness and increases it. Take care and regards Himself

Marian, I've already asked a question upthread, but I also wanted to know of any other authors that inspire you or great books that you've enjoyed over recent years?

You're a really, really fabulous writer, and I'd love to know who you admire in turn.

Second / third / fourth / hundredth the request for a Mammy book!

Do you still do a lot of baking? Does it tend to come in flurries or is it just a regular, say, Friday thing? What is your go to cake?

Hi Marian, I wondered if you have a favourite Walsh sister?

Did you ever worry you were being TOO honest? Opening yourself up to possible criticism even from other addicts/family of addicts?

Hi Graphista, I don’t have any other way to be than being honest. I haven’t had much criticism for it – happily more people have thanked me. Thank you for your kindness about my books, I'm glad they've helped a little. Mind yourself, it's a tough road, having an addict as a parent. Thank you again xxxx

It’s hard to pick a favourite but I think it would have to be A Charming Man. As well as the main storyline, I loved the fact that Lola‘s happy ending was with a transvestite. What led you to that choice?

Well DameSylvieKrin, I’m not sure I can remember. As with all my books, I have the characters and a situation, and it evolves, and this was just how Lola developed.

What made you start writing? I love your books, they're all so relatable and definitely books you want to read in one sitting! Every time I think I want to start to write, I manage to talk myself out of it and convince myself it'll be crap. How do you motivate yourself?

You have to just do it anyway, justonedayatatime11. Maybe your first attempts will be crap. But then edit and improve; and edit some more and improve some more.
No-one starts out brilliant.
Also, it might help to join a creative writing class or just a group of other people who also want to write.
Another thing that helps me is to remember that I don't have to write the whole book in one day. That I don't even have to have a clue what#s going to happen. But if I have a particular scene that II'm interested in, that's a good place to start.
The best of luck! Do it! What's the harm in trying. xxxx

Do you ever think that family members or friends might 'recognise' themselves in the characters you've written? (Rightly or wrongly!)

Hi Lineys…, I never have put a real person in a book. And family and close friends have never thought they were in one. But the odd time, complete strangers have thought I’d based someone on them. And strangely, they are sometimes my least favourite characters.

My sister gave me a copy of ‘Angels’ translated into Catalan when I was a bit down years ago.
I loved it so much, that was my introduction to your books, and I’ve read all the rest (in English). By the way it was a fabulous translation, really good.

In recent years I’ve loved The Mystery of Mercy Close. The descriptions of Helen’s mental state in depression are terrifying and relatable at the same time.

Hi Marian. I'm a huge fan . I've loved all the Walsh family books, was great to see the family develop over time and have each daughter tell their side. Do you have any plans to revisit any of your other characters? I'd love to know how Tara from Last Chance Saloon is getting on.

My favourite of your books is This Charmimg Man ( no he’s not , he’s nasty ) and I’ve just started The Break
However
Will we see you on Strictly this year ? With the lovely Pasha ?

huge fan here - have read all your books and enjoyed them so much

you crack me up on strictly as well :)

no questions but just wanted to say thank you :)

Thank you so much for answering me in such a thoughtful way. I've screenshot it to save.

Have you ever thought about writing for a junior readership?
FYI - I have an 11 year old son who aspires to be Irish. (I'm English and my own Himself is Scottish).

Hi Marian, who out of all the love interests in your books would you choose to make your himself, if you had to choose one?

I would definitely go for Luke of Rachel’s Holiday...also have a soft spot for Gus from Lucy Sullivan, even though he turned out to be a wrongun I’m a sucker for the curly hair

Will we be seeing you on the It Takes Two sofa this year, Marian? If Pasha were unavailable on the show for any reason, who would be your second dancer of choice?

I loved The Break, by the way. Took some commitment due to its length, but I was serious about it and finished it within a day. Thank you for such brilliant writing over the last 20 years.

My question is who are your favourite authors?

Hi paintingthegardengate, and all the others who have asked this, I don’t know if I have favourite authors – there are so many. I read nearly exclusively women, it's just that I'm interested in what is concerning us and there's no need to read books by male authors because their voices dominate in all media.
I’m read books that have been just published, again because I'm interested in what our concerns are.
It's really difficult to list favourite authors because I'm bound to leave off someone I love, but I'll give it a go.
Meg Wolitzer (she's got a new book coming on June 7th, hurray!); Kate Atkinson, her forthcoming Transcriptions is brilliant; Sarah Perry, her forthcoming Melmoth is magnificent.
Recently I read Laura Lippman's Sunburn, it's a genre that's hard to pin down, it's like a literary psychological thriller.
I've just finished Yrsa Daley-Ward's The Terrible and it's UH-MAY-ZING! It's a memoir, written like poetry. It's powerful and beautiful.
Who else? ADORE Louise O'Neill, her latest Breaking The Surface is a feminist retelling of the Little Mermaid and it's my favourite of all her books.
Will that do? Basically I'll read nearly all genres, except I'm not too gone on fantasy. And apologies to all the authors I didn't mention :0

With the latest devastating news of Percy Pigs’ gums potential demise, will you A) Be buying in bulk IMMEDIATELY B) Be protesting that the reasoning of too high sugar content for kids could be remedied by marketing them for adults only C) Be experimenting with alternative farm-themed chewy gums in preparation for empty Percy Pigs shelves?
Hi Amy, I plan to do ALL these things! I've already purchased a BUNKER to store my stockpiles in. I very much like your plan to market them at adults only. In addition, I am STREEMLY fond of the Waitrose Olly the Owl and his various friends!
Lovely question, thank you xxxx

Hi Marian. I just wanted to say thanks for Luke Costello. He's up there with Mr. Darcy and John Thornton for me ❤️

I love Louise o neill but much much prefer your writing. I do wonder if it’s true that taking the humour out of your books would have brought more awards and all that jazz.
To be, humour is the hardest writing to get right and yet brings the most joy and reward. Why do think it’s under appreciated? Or is it only under appreciated if it’s written by a woman?