Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mumsnet webchats

WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Flip

1 2 3

MNHQ

Join the webchat with author Matt Haig: Monday 9 July, 9pm

72 replies

RachelMumsnet · 05/07/2018 17:13

Book club special: We’re joined by author Matt Haig on Monday 9 July between 9 and 10pm when he will be talking about his latest book: Notes on a Nervous Planet as well as his other fiction and non-fiction titles, including Reasons to Stay Alive, How To Stop Time (currently being made into a film starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and his best-selling children’s book A Boy Called Christmas.

Reasons To Stay Alive charted Matt’s breakdown at the age of 24 and how he came through crisis and triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him. Notes on a Nervous Planet looks at the link between anxiety and the world we live in. Thought-provoking, funny and honest, the book offers practical advice alongside his personal insights and meditations.

Join Matt on Monday at 9pm - or post up a Q for him on this thread in advance. Join the chat for chance to win one of FOUR copies of Notes on a Nervous Planet. Names will be pulled out of the hat and announced just after the webchat.

Join the webchat with author Matt Haig: Monday 9 July, 9pm

OP posts:

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 09/07/2018 20:57

A huge thank you to Matt Haig for joining us this evening. There's already lots of questions in so I'll hand straight over to you. Welcome to Mumsnet Matt....

OP posts:

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:00

Hello everyone. Matt (Haig) here. It's lovely to be here. Hope it's warm wherever you are. I'm here to answer your questions. Had some goodies so far. Feel free to ask anything about any of my books, or anything at all. I'm going to have a glass of ginger beer and try and answer as many as poss. Right, let's go.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:03

@1969angep

I am a fan happily following you on Twitter. Without exception, I love what you tweet but you clearly have a love/hate relationship with the platform. Do you think social media is (in general) a force for good or evil. I vacillate between both stand points 😳

Hi 1969angep! 'Tis true! I love/hate social media. The reason I wanted to write Notes on a Nervous Planet is because I felt Twitter etc were starting to make me feel a bit mad again. I love chatting to people (like this) but have got into too many pointless squabbles, and am a compulsive checker. I now understand my mind much more and try and use the internet in a more mindful way. Thanks!

Obiandmillie · 09/07/2018 21:04

Hey Matt. I attended a talk of yours last year at a Waterstones when you were talking about How to Stop Time (great evening by the way). Is there still a plan to make a film of the book?

FernieB · 09/07/2018 21:06

Hi Matt. I (and my entire book club) loved How to Stop Time. What was the inspiration for this book and how did you decide which periods of history to feature?

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:06

@Caribbeanyesplease

How do you deal with very negative critical reviews? I Am specifically referring to one of the harshest reviews I think I have ever read (was in last weekend’s times or telegraph)

Hi Caribbeanyesplease. Yes! I had the worst review of my life last week in The Times. It wasn't really a review of the book, but a review of me. So yes, those things feel personal. But, to be honest, I have such amazing readers now, and they keep reading me and I keep writing for them, and if they are happy, I'm happy. But sure, to have someone in a national newspaper effectively calling you a hypochondriac for talking about panic attacks - not good!

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:08

@fourplusonemore

I love Matt's books. The Humans made me actually laugh out loud which hasn't happened with a book in a long time, Reasons To Stay Alive touched a nerve with past me and I've passed it on to multiple friends struggling with clinical depression and How To Stop Time was just wonderful. I can't wait for the chat!

Ah, thanks Fourplusonemore! You are very kind. I know you aren't asking a question, I just wanted to say thanks for being nice, because niceness is, well, nice.

willmunny · 09/07/2018 21:10

Hi Matt

Thanks for doing this. I have moments when I get swamped with hopelessness. Imagine a churning savage sea and huge wave crashing over a ship’s bow. You move with the boat and ride it out as best you can. But the sea is stronger. How do cultivate the presence of mind in those moments to keep your grip tight and not be swept overboard?

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:12

@FernieB

Hi Matt. I (and my entire book club) loved How to Stop Time. What was the inspiration for this book and how did you decide which periods of history to feature?

Hi FernieB! Weirdly, How to Stop Time was inspired by my experience of depression. When I was depressed I felt like I had lived for centuries, such was the daily intensity. So writing about a 439 year old man felt almost like autobiography! That said, I just wanted to have fun. I wanted to write an adventure story, a love story. And I chose the eras I thought would be most fun. Shakespearean England, 1920s Paris etc etc.

HermanCakeDestroyer · 09/07/2018 21:13

Hi Matt, I have just bought Notes on a nervous planet and it strikes a chord with me. It’s so well written and an enjoyable and interesting read and I recommend that everyone buys a copy. I don’t have any specific questions but look forward to buying the rest of your books.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:13

@Obiandmillie

Hey Matt. I attended a talk of yours last year at a Waterstones when you were talking about How to Stop Time (great evening by the way). Is there still a plan to make a film of the book?

Yes! Benedict Cumberbatch (well his company) have bought the film rights and still are planning to make it.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:14

@HermanCakeDestroyer

Thanks HermanCakeDestroyer! Nice name, by the way.

shopaholic85 · 09/07/2018 21:14

Hi Matt. I've just finished reading How To Stop Time and loved it! I grew up in East London, and taught there, so really enjoyed the parts of the novel that were set in that area. My question: What's your favourite novel?

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:16

@willmunny

Hi Matt

I genuinely feel - in my case - it has got a bit easier over time. I tend to know it will pass and I am better at working out why I feel crap - and how to get into a better routine. I suppose that idea that depression is slightly separate to the self helps me. You AREN'T depression. You just FEEL it. It's like weather. You are the sky and depression is the cloud. It's still utterly horrid though.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:17

@shopaholic85

Bonjour Tristesse, by Francois Sagan.

HermanCakeDestroyer · 09/07/2018 21:17

Glad you like the name. I’ve always disliked Herman cakes and feel like they’re a chain letter in a cake hence the name 😎 keep up the good work with your writing 💐

catlover1987 · 09/07/2018 21:18

Hi Matt. I just wanted to thank you for capturing mental illness so beautifully. I have struggled with anxiety throughout my adult life and your books have been such a comfort when times were tough.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:18

@RachelMumsnet

A huge thank you to Matt Haig for joining us this evening. There's already lots of questions in so I'll hand straight over to you. Welcome to Mumsnet Matt....

Thanks Rachel! I'm enjoying this.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:22

@Bakingberry

Hi Matt, I've enjoy reading your books and have been recommending How to Stop Time to everyone.

As someone who has suffered from depression I did find parts of Reasons to Stay Alive quite hard going because I had been in very similar situations. How did you feel when you were writing it? Were you in a good place looking back? Or did it bring back memories and emotions that were unpleasant? Did the process of writing it make you feel differently about your depression?

Hi Bakingberry! I thought I'd find writing RTSA hard but I actually didn't. I was writing about the very worst experiences of my life, sure, but the thing is that those things had always been with me. When you go through something traumatic in life it's kind of always there, in your mind. So writing it was more about letting go, I suppose. It was like taking ownership of it. When you put something into words it makes it feel manageable. It's therapy. TALK IS GOOD! x

HermanCakeDestroyer · 09/07/2018 21:23

Actually Matt, I have just thought of a question. I have a friend whose teenage daughter has an eating disorder. I don’t know if you’ve ever had any experience of eating disorders but it would be helpful for me to learn how to support someone with this disorder/mental health issue. Is this a topic you would ever explore?

NicHay · 09/07/2018 21:26

What support do you think schools can offer young people to help them cope with the pressures they are under?

FernieB · 09/07/2018 21:26

Thanks for answering my question Matt. Reading all the other posts is making me feel I should check out your non-fiction. I had panic attacks throughout my teens and although I have learnt coping strategies, I still get caught out sometimes. Its not generally something I talk about with anyone so I think you're incredibly brave to be so open.

MattHaig · 09/07/2018 21:27

@YuleABUnREASTIEable

Just finished the book. Am on holiday and spent the afternoon on the beach finishing it off. Facisating read (bought it on recommendation of a radio DJ who has discussed how much he enjoyed it several times).

One of favourite quote from the book (there are lots of good ones) is ‘better to be disliked for being you, than being liked for being someone else’

My question is have you still turned off the notifications on your phone and are you still limited social media? As time goes on are you finding it easier or harder?

My daughter said she loves this book the most out of all of my books because of the rainbow design inside the sleeve

Hi! Wow. Congrats on reading NOTES ON A NERVOUS PLANET so quickly. I am still occasionally bad and unhealthy with how I use social media, I won't lie. I am getting better though, since writing and researching the book. One tiny thing I do that makes a MASSIVE difference is that I no longer charge my phone by the bed. I charge it overnight in the kitchen. So at least I have to go downstairs and EAT SOMETHING before I, you know, check my Instagram and Twitter and the rest of it. I think it's v important to be a little in tune with the natural human rhythms of life. Getting in daylight, eating regularly etc and social media - and Netflix, and - let's face it - KIDS - can take us away from that sometimes.

HermanCakeDestroyer · 09/07/2018 21:27

Great question NicHay

shopaholic85 · 09/07/2018 21:30

Thanks Matt. I've never heard of Bonjour Tristesse, so looking forward to reading it. I hope it translates well. Im going through a tough time at the moment so Reasons To Stay Alive is next on the list.

Flip

1 2 3