Webchat with Jacqueline Wilson, Friday 12 October, 12.30pm Post a question for a chance to win a signed copy of her latest book

[RachelMumsnet]

We're thrilled that award-winning author Jacqueline Wilson is joining us for a live webchat on Friday. Jacqueline needs little introduction - she’s one of Britain’s best selling and most beloved children’s author.

Her latest novel My Mum Tracy Beaker marks the return of one of her most treasured characters. The Story of Tracy Beaker had a ground breaking impact on children’s books when it was was first published in 1991 and since then over 3.5 million Tracy Beaker books have been sold and the TV adaptation was CBBC’s most successful programme ever.

In her latest novel, Tracy returns as Mum to daughter Jess. Jess and Tracy Beaker aretheperfect team. Jess thinks Tracy is the best mum ever; Tracy is fun and daring, but she also works hard to give Jess the family home she desperately wanted when growing up in the Dumping Ground. Their flat might be a bit mouldy but it’s their happy home.

But when Sean Godfrey –Tracy’s rich new boyfriend – comes onto the scene, Jess is worried things are going to change. What if Sean wants to turn Jess’s brilliant mum into a new person altogether? Sean’s superstar mansion and fancy cars might have been Tracy’s childhood dream, but maybe the Beakers’ perfect home was right in front of them all along…

We have a SIGNED copy up for one lucky winner who posts a question for Jacqueline before or during the chat. If you've can't join us but have questions for Jacqueline, please post your questions here. Ditto if you want to post on behalf of your children. She'll aim to get through as many as possible during the chat.

@Goposie

How do you think life is different for your target audience today compared to when you first started writing? What advice would you give girls?

I think life has changed for young people today. Girls care so much more about the way they look and desperately want to be liked. Girls have far more opportunities now but it must be an awful pressure trying to achieve in everyway possible.

@randomwoman123

Hi Jackie!!! My daughter Lizzie, aged 9, would like to ask:

*In the new book, is Tracy's daughter as naughty as Tracy was?
*
She actually had a couple of other questions too (is there a cliffhanger, is it sad, will there be a sequel...), but I had to limit her to one. She's very excited about the new book and says it is very weird to think of Tracy grown up and with a daughter of her own.

Jess Beaker looks exactly like her mum but she is not quite as fierce and feisty. The new book has sad parts and funny parts and lots of characters from the past pop up in the story.

@cuddlymunchkin

A little inspired by Tracy meeting her wealthy beau - how do you like to enjoy your wealth? As in, do you just like the security of a big bank balance, do you indulge in super expensive jewellery, have you gone for amazing experiences such as a helicopter ride or a safari?

@cuddlymunchkin

A little inspired by Tracy meeting her wealthy beau - how do you like to enjoy your wealth? As in, do you just like the security of a big bank balance, do you indulge in super expensive jewellery, have you gone for amazing experiences such as a helicopter ride or a safari?

I like to treat myself to many books and I certainly love jewellery too but I don't lead a tremendously glamorous life. You'll find I trudge round the local supermarket and take part in the pub quiz and lead a very ordinary life.

@BinkyNic

My daughter loves your books and chose you for her homework last week, when they had to choose someone that they would like to write a biography about and come up with some questions. One of her questions was as follows. "If you ever decide to give up writing, is there anything else you would like to do?"

I think I shall always write even if I don't get published anymore. However I did always have a fantasy about owning a second hand bookshop, they are my favourite places in all the world

@Doobydoobeedoo

My 8yr-old DD would like to ask:

"Where is your favourite place to sit and write your books?"

Thank you.

I nearly always write my books in bed! I sort out my pets, make a cup of coffee and then go back to bed and write in my pyjamas. It's very cosy and it's lovely to feel I have done my major writing work by 10 o'clock. However there are always so many emails to tackle later on!

What do you do if you are 'stuck' with writing? I could take helpful tips as I write for work (not a fiction author and diff type of writing)!

@LikeaMeteorite

I'm a huge fan myself, Jacqueline, and have tracked down some of your earlier books. Can I ask, when and why did you decide to change your style from the more traditional literary voice to the very popular, chattier voice of your later books? I wonder if it was a conscious decision to make your books more accessible, or some other reason? I've enjoyed everything of yours I've read very much, both old style and more modern - they always have such empathetic insight into the characters' lives.

Thanks so much for attending the web chat; I look forward to reading your replies even if you're not able to answer my question.

I suppose my first few titles were aimed at teenagers so they weren't quite as chatty and easily accessible as the kind of books I write now. However I don't really think my style has changed that much. I've got the first story I ever published, written when I was 17, and I think it is very recognisably by me

@MaudebeGonne

My daughter is a huge fan and you are a true inspiration to her. She has read Wave me Goodbye about 8 times since getting it, and it has sparked a huge interest in the lives of children during WW2. She writes a lot of her own stories and absolutely loves your monthly magazine. I love the magazine too - it is a gem.

So she would like to know if you could travel anywhere, in space and time, where would you like to go?

Interesting question! I think I'd like to whizz back in time to 1925 in the south of England. That's the time and place of the story I am currently writing. If I could live there for a couple of weeks, I wouldn't have to do any research!

@RJnomore1

I'm a bit late to spot this but I have a 14 year old who absolutely loves your books and reads and reads and reads them. The photo is my couch this morning! I managed to take her to meet nick a few years back at a book festival and one day hopefully you Jacky.

Her question would be what advice would you have for a young aspiring writer?

I always tell aspiring writers to read as much as they can and also to keep a diary. So many people tell me they want to be writers but never get the time to write. I think if you make yourself write daily it becomes a habit and you learn that often your best work is done when you least feel like it. But at 14 I think you just relax and have fun writing, which ever way you want to

Thank you so much for answering my DD's question!

She will be so excited when she reads your reply.

@CobwebKate

My 9 year old DD is a huge fan, she loves the Hetty Feather books especially.

Her question for you is ‘How did you feel when your first book was published and which of your books are you most proud of?’

I would also like to thank you for bringing her so much joy, I have never seen her light up about something the way she does about Hetty Feather.

I am so glad your daughter likes Hetty Feather. I have vivid memories when a publisher first told me he wanted to buy my book. I managed to stay calm and professional in his office but when I got outside I literally skipped down the street!

I always feel embarrassed if I say I am proud of any of my books because it sounds as if I am showing off. But if I am honest, I think I am proudest of a book called The Illustrated Mum

@BatFacedOK

Hello Jacqueline! I have a question which I will detail below. It's from my 11 year old son, Ted

'Hi Jacqueline. How are you? I love your books and I am currently reading Hetty Feather Little Stars. I am not a fast reader so it takes me a long time to read but I will read all your books in the end.

My question is .. who is your favourite character that you've ever written? Mine is definitely Hetty and I am going to read Tracy Beaker when I've finished all the Hetty ones. Thank you for answering'

Hi Ted, I am so glad you are enjoying my books. I can't decide who is my favourite out of Hetty and Tracy. On Newsround the other day I had to answer questions about them both and decided I love them both equally

@longesteverlurker

Hi. My daughter loved reading your books and now likes to reread them whenever she needs a comfort read. I often reread the swallows and amazon series if I just want a nostalgic read, especially if I'm not feeling well. Do you have a book or series that you like to return to?

I often choose Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles when I want a long comfort read

@purplepandas

What do you do if you are 'stuck' with writing? I could take helpful tips as I write for work (not a fiction author and diff type of writing)!

I am not often stuck thank goodness but when I am I go for a long walk with my dog I am not sure this is very helpful if you are stuck in an office, sorry!

My daughter loves your books - she dressed up as Shirley from Wave Me Goodbye for Book Week. She was very inspired by Jacky Daydream and wants to know if you will be writing another instalment your autobiography soon?

Thank you!

@Loopytiles

Two big fans in my house too!

DD1 asks why all your lead characters are girls?

DD2 asks what do you enjoy doing?

I think my lead characters are girls simply because I find it easiest to write about them. I didn't have any brother, I don't have any sons, I just seem to know the way girls think. Although I have in the past written several books from a boy's point of view

When I am not writing I enjoy reading, going for long walks by the sea, I love to shop and I like to have a swim every morning

@tigercub50

As you have such a huge readership & influence so many young people, do you worry about the responsibility of covering “ big” issues such as dieting/eating disorders, drugs, teenage pregnancy etc in an age appropriate way?

Yes I do feel I have a big responsibility to not upset or worry my readers I haven't ever written about drugs or teenage pregnancy, as far as I can remember. I know I often write about controversial situations but I always try to reassure and have a reasonably happy ending

Hello Jacqueline,
Thanks for answering my question!

I remember Mandy Miller, I still know all the words of "Nellie the Elephant"!

@LemonLadybird

Ahhh I love JW! Huge fan, have been since I was young. My 10 year old sister loves your books (and been a great excuse to read them all again!)

My question: are any of your characters based on anyone you've met in real life? And which book did you feel was the hardest to write emotionally?

I rarely put real characters in my books but in chapter 13 of Clean Break you will encounter a lovely helpful chauffeur called Bob, he has been a dear friend of mine for years and was delighted to get a mention in my book.

I think a lot of my books have had troubling emotional situations. I think probably The Illustrated Mum affected me the most, I wished I could give poor little Dolphin a big hug

@TheCommoner

I'd just like to thank you for bringing into public consciousness that children do end up in care, and they are still human beings. People who have traumatic upbringings are still people. Tracy Beaker makes it easier for real-life Tracy Beakers to talk about their past and not be ashamed of it.

I am so glad you feel that, it's exactly what I set out to do in my book. I've met many care leavers and feel the vast majority are mature, sensible, delightful people

@Redrosebelle

I am a big fan. I’m 30 now and started reading Jacky books at primary school. I still read all the latest releases. My question is, how did you get into writing about the Victorian era? I love hetty feather, clover moon and rose rivers. What made you start writing about the girls from this time?

I've always been interested in the Victorians and love reading 19th century novels. I wasn't quite sure my loyal readers would enjoy my first Victorian book but I was thrilled when they took Hetty Feather to their hearts

@twofalls

Oh excited. Dd 12 has 2 shelves dedicated to your books and the Hetty feather trilogy literally fell apart she read them so often.

Dds question - "Hetty was my best friend during a really difficult time. She was always there, she never let me down. Did you have a literary best friend when you were young?"

I am so pleased Hetty has been a friend for you. I think Jane Eyre was an equivalent friend for me

@WhippetyStourie

My daughter loves your books - she dressed up as Shirley from Wave Me Goodbye for Book Week. She was very inspired by Jacky Daydream and wants to know if you will be writing another instalment your autobiography soon?

There is another autobiographical book called My Secret Diary, where I rather bravely include embarrassing excerpts from the diary I kept at that time. I've sometimes wondered about writing another book where I cover the years 17-19 - I left home and lived in a girls hostel in Scotland and worked as a journalist. Looking back it all seems quite extraordinary. I am not sure it would be suitable for young children though!

@DickensianHysteric

Hi Jacqueline, I've been wondering for years whether your early novels (Amber, This Girl, Falling Apart, Waiting for the Sky to Fall to name a few) will ever be re-released? I loved them as a teen in the 90s and would be really happy to see them re-released, perhaps as e-books.

It's lovely that you remember those long ago books. I think they might seem rather dated now but you started me on a trip down memory lane, I might see if I can find old copies of them and have a browse!