Come and chat to best selling author Marian Keyes, Wednesday 10 June, 1-2pm

[TinaMumsnet]

From bestselling author Marian Keyes comes a new laugh out loud novel about a very ordinary mum from Dublin, who's about to become the most influential women in the world. Well, for just a few moments anyway...

Click here to find out more and apply for one of fifty free copies.

Don't forget, if you're lucky enough to receive a copy of The Woman Who Stole My Life, we do ask that you tell us what you think about it on the thread below or in our Book reviews section.

This giveaway is now closed.

Marian will be joining us for a webchat on Wednesday 10 June between 1 and 2pm, post your questions on the thread below.

Hi Marian,

Huge fan of your work, especially the books about Walsh family. Whenever I re-read one I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend! I love how you manage to make me laugh out loud on one page, and cry on the next, the way you blend such serious topics in with humour is so clever.

Do you have a favourite character from your books?

@FabulousFudge

What are your top tips for an aspiring writer? How do you write about gritty issues in an easy to read way and include humour too?

Don't be afraid. You don't need any qualifications but you do need discipline. Set aside time devoted to your writing, and try and make it the same time every day. A lot of people find that getting up early works best. Even if you sit there and write nothing, that time is for your writing. You don't need to know everything in advance, and you don't need to make everything perfect immediately.

Also it helps if you like the person you're writing about, adn if you know their world. And don't worry about people thinking that it's autobiographical - be as honest as you can be, about everything

I really wish you every joy and happiness, and success!

[quote BasinHaircut]I love you Marian.

I have a question.

When writing the earlier Walsh family books, did you always know that Helen would suffer from depression? Or was it something you decided when writing The Mystery of Mercy Close?

Hi Marian,

LOVE all of your books - currently reading The Woman Who Stole my Life which is stopping me from getting anything else done because I can't put it down!

I just wondered do you always start your books knowing what will happen with characters mapped out or is it more 'see where it takes you'?

Thanks!

@RedCrayons

Oh I love you Marian! I love you in twitter, especially during Strictly. And the glittering raffles. And tales of your mammy and the Redzers. .

Rachel's Holiday is one of my favourite books. Who doesn't love Luke!
My question - is your varnish museum actually real or are they all just shoved in a drawer in the bathroom?

It's in a handbag at the bottom of a wardrobe but the museum is real, oh yes! One day I hope to take it on the road...

@Harleyjosh

In the spirit of Mumsnet. AIBU to laugh until the tears pour down my cheeks every time I read the 'mad fan' page from Rachel's Holiday. When she replies 'not so mad fan actually'. Brilliant.

YANBU! And thank you!

Thanks so much for the answer Marion.....Ned Mount IS an anagram of Tom Dunne!My cleverness at spotting the character inspiration is entirely cancelled out by my thickness at not spotting the obvious name!!

@hawaiibaby

Hi Marian,

LOVE all of your books - currently reading The Woman Who Stole my Life which is stopping me from getting anything else done because I can't put it down!

I just wondered do you always start your books knowing what will happen with characters mapped out or is it more 'see where it takes you'?

Thanks!

I never know what's going to happen! It's always a voyage into the unknown. Which is kind of scary. But also interesting, and it means I have to keep writing to find out what happens. And thank you for being so lovely!

@JuniDD

I love Marian and always buy her books in hard back.

My question is, what your current favourite make up/beauty item? Afraid I'm not on Twitter much now to get your recommendations and I miss them!

You are amazing! Xxx

It's called Estee Lauder Expert Liquid Tape - forgive me for being a boasty boaster but it's not out until September! I got it for free...but I have high hopes for the skin around my eyes, and I will report! And thank you very much

@Cocolepew

I read the book on the Kindle when it came out and I loved it.

Question is would you like to appear on Strictly and who would your partner be?
I have first dibs on Pasha btw

Thanks for reading the book, I'm so grateful. I couldn't appear on Strictly because I'm such a huge fan and I'd be the fattest, clumsiest dancer they'd ever had - I'd be kicked out in the first round and the humilation would be too much to bear!

Pasha would be my LAST choice because I would faint every time in his presence - I just love him way too much. So you're welcome to him!

Hi Marian
I love you too! I have re-read Rachel's Holiday many many times and giggled myself silly over the plastic see-through inflatable couch!
My question is... What is your favourite biscuit?

Marian. The Woman who stole my life....brilliant book. Easy to get into right from the start and easy to follow. Really enjoyed the plot. Stella was a great interesting character. I have read your other books too so was not surprised by how good this book was! Thank you again for another great read x

@AssembleTheMinions

Hello Marian I am a huge fan. Rachel's holiday is one of the best books I have ever read. Her slow painful realisation of how bad her illness had got is extremely moving. Another huge favourite is Last Chance Saloon, every single character is brilliant, I can't pick a favourite Katherine with a K at the moment I never tire of rereading either of them.

My question is about Mammy Walsh, I loved her A to Z but I would love a whole story about her (or Daddy Walsh for that matter) Is there any possibility of that?

Thank you! Sadly no plans for a book starring Mammy Walsh - but there's a new book coming in which Mammy Walsh will play a big part. But never say never, and I love that people love her!

PS she's not entirely dissimilar to my own mammy...

Do you have a favourite author?

@Mmmicecream

First, I wanted to say that Helen's description of depression in Mercy Close is the single best description of how it feels that I have read. It also really helped me to remember Helen's words when I felt bad.Thank you!

Now my question - I have read all your books and particularly love the cookbook, Saved by Cake, which I really needed in order to actually bake something edible as there were tips in there that I'd never seen before as a complete baking novice someone whose baking tastes like poison

Is there any chance of another one about cooking savory dishes (as I am crap at that too and need all the help I can get)?

I also have a question about the fabulous Rachel's Holiday - did you plan the pacing of the novel, or did it just evolve naturally?

I'm afraid there's no chance of a savoury cookbook, as I too am crap at those things. But Rachel's Holiday was the one book where I knew what was going to happen because it's so autobiographical. Thank you so much - I hope you're feeling a bit better these days xxx

@LadyCassandra

Hi Marian I love you too! I have re-read Rachel's Holiday many many times and giggled myself silly over the plastic see-through inflatable couch! My question is... What is your favourite biscuit?

It's an Irish biscuit - a chocolate Kimberley! It's the biscuit of biscuits, it's - oh God, it has marshmallow, two layers of ginger sponge, it's covered in chocolate...words fail me. There's lick in my mouth even talking about it. I feel sorry for any country that doesn't have it, I really do!

@sarsar123

Do you have a favourite author?

Well I don't have a favourite author but here are some books I've loved - I've read the new Catherine Alliott - Wish You Were Here. I've been reading Colette Macbeth, she writes grip lit and she's really good at it! Kate Atkinson, I adore her. I want to read Ali Smith - How To Be Both.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is absolutely amazing, I'm halfway through it.

Thank you for doing this webchat Marian it is fascinating... Can't believe you don't know what's going to happen the plots seem so tight.

Also can't resist just enthusing to you about how much i love the books...

I picked up This Charming Man 2 weeks ago in a cafe and Lola drew me in so fast i downloaded it on my kindle immediately. The combination of her humour, and Marnie's desparation and Grace's cool hidden depths had such a powerful affect. I found myself under Paddy's spell, you did such a good job of showing how all kinds of good people can be taken in by such persuasive charms. And the Knockavoy stuff truly had me hooting in laughter, but there again, at the situation, not the people ie Chloe, Delores et al who I really felt for.

Then i read Last Chance Saloon and Tara was such a familiar characer... so well drawn she really spoke to me.

Thanks so much for your work.

PS in lcs were you hinting that Lorcan Larkin might have AIDS?

What did you think of Fifty Shades of Grey? Do you think it encourages people to read in general and so that is a good thing?

Xx

@Tanaqui

Hi again... I have thought of a question now! What are the books you have read and reread most often? And, if different, what book would you most like to have written?

I also wanted to add how much I also appreciated your drawing of depression in Mercy Close. I have also had depression (thankfully less severely than Helen), and felt you wrote incredibly accurately and thoughtfully about it.

The book I would like to have written is Behind The Scenes At The Museum by Kate Atkinson. It's just perfect. But I don't tend to reread books, even if I've loved them - there are just too many gorgeous other things to discover.

@Mitchell50

What did you think of Fifty Shades of Grey? Do you think it encourages people to read in general and so that is a good thing?

Xx

People reading is always a good thing!

@Pinkpanthershow

Hi Marian, just wanted to ask which Walsh sister you identify most with? Is there one in particular that you feel is more "you" and do you have a favourite? Thanks

Probably Anna. She's probably the sappiest! But I'm writing a new book about Claire at the moment, and she's good fun and nice to spend time with. I can even tell you the name of it - it's called Time Off For Bad Behaviour

That's a cheeky exclusive for Mumsnet!

Hi Marian
As an avid reader I want to say I love all your books! I hate the "chic lit" term and would describe your books as stories about ordinary people written with handfuls of humour and heaps of heartache and with a dark underbelly"....do you think that is a good description?
Every time you release a new book it is like a birthday and Christmas all rolled into one for me, and "The Woman Who Stole My Life" did not let me down! It was brilliant thank you. Please keep writing, life is so much better with your words on paper. Big hugs to you, you are an inspiration and wonderful lady.
My favourite re-read of yours is "This Charming Man" and my favourite "sad" one is "Is There Anyone Out There?" flowers

Ooo you're here - so excited!

Oh good, more books! I am trying to ration myself having just discovered you!