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MNHQ

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

139 replies

TinaMumsnet · 18/05/2015 15:41

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.

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

OP posts:

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:32

@Lammy7

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?"

I will be logged in tomorrow for your web chat!

Thank you very very much, I really appreciate it. It's so encouraging to hear!

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:33

@HeartsTrumpDiamonds

Hi Marian, welcome to Mumsnet!

Do you remember meeting me at a book signing in Sydney about 15 years ago? I remember meeting you I think it was for Sushi For Beginners. You were lovely - we had quite a chat and I love your accent.

So my question is about book signings. Do you like them or are they a necessary evil?

I love signings, I really do! The nicest part of what I do is getting to meet readers. I find it so encouraging, and I feel like we're friends already, I really do. And thank you so much!

Lammy7 · 10/06/2015 13:34

Hi again Marian, great to read all your replies! I am wondering do you type your books as you go or hand write them?

Sarahlouboo · 10/06/2015 13:34

I have always been aware of you as an author but been put off by the chick lit label - well it turns out that I love chick lit if it is written by you smile! Currently working my way through your back catalogue and dreading the day when I run out. I blame you for the bags under my eyes as I can't put your books down! Loved Rachel's Holiday but The Mystery of Mercy Close is my current favourite. I have also discovered Mhairi McFarlane who I think writes in a similar style.

My question is what do you think of the chick lit label? Are there any books/authors that you put off reading and then loved? (Or ignore those and tell me if you have a shovel list?!)

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:34

@ShebaQueen

Hi Marian, I'm a huge fan and follow you on Twitter, I love hearing all about your family, especially "the Mammy".

What's your latest beach house banjo project?

I have orders out the door from my Volkswagen chest of drawers! Myself and himself are like a production line. Thanks for the question!

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:37

@Sarahlouboo

My question is what do you think of the chick lit label? Are there any books/authors that you put off reading and then loved? (Or ignore those and tell me if you have a shovel list?!)

Actually - I read Dubliners by James Joyce and they're brilliant! He's an incredible observer of human nature. I'd always resisted him as he was rather shoved down our throat at school and it was my Serbian sister in law who finally convinced me that I had to read it, and she was right.

Kilmeny · 10/06/2015 13:38

Marian, I am such a huge fan. Thank you so much for all the books. Which was the most difficult to write?

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:39

@Squirrel78

My questions are: Do you think there is still a need for women-only literary prizes? If you could invent your own literary award, what would be the criteria? Which novel do you wish you had written the ending for? Do you think popular literature is over looked as being high quality? How much do you think the way a book is marketed affects how it is perceived?

Thanks very much - I'll answer the first part as there's a lot of questions to get through if that's ok! I think it's done a huge amount of good for how literature written by women is now perceived and respected. And I think there still is a need for women-only prizes. We're a long way from equality.

Sarahlouboo · 10/06/2015 13:40

Thank you answering my question . I have always resisted Catcher in the Rye for similar reasons...maybe I ought to give it a whirl!

CornChips · 10/06/2015 13:41

I read Is Anyone Out There on a flight from Washington DC to London and cried and cried.

The Stewardess brought me a sneaky slice of cake and patted my shoulder.

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:41

@LorrieJ

Hi Marian, Given your portrayal of the marketing campaign behind One Blink at a Time how do you manage to make time to come up with new ideas and then to turn them in to fully fledged novels? Thanks, Lorrie

I'm really happy to do the marketing that's required to sell a book, and I'm very lucky to have such great publishers who put so much energy and resources into my books. And I love the chance to engage with people who read my books.

I actually feel like I'm quite a slow writer compared to others! But great question, thank you!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 10/06/2015 13:42

I have a cunning question - have you posted on MN before under a nickname? Or is this your first time posting here?

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:43

@Kilmeny

Marian, I am such a huge fan. Thank you so much for all the books. Which was the most difficult to write?

Probably This Charming Man, because it's the longest book I've written and basically has 4 storylines that are each as long as a novel. I thought I'd never finish it! But I'm glad I did because it seems to have helped a lot of people who have lived with domestic violence. And thank you for your lovely kind words!

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:44

@ThumbWitchesAbroad

I have a cunning question - have you posted on MN before under a nickname? Or is this your first time posting here?

This is my first time posting actually - that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

gymboywalton · 10/06/2015 13:45

marian- i have come across this by accident-i am officially your biggest fan!

I am rachel from rachel's holiday without the addiction- built like a shed with a shouty mammy and lots of insecurities. reading rachel's holiday was a revelation.

i don't have a question really-i just want you to know how much i love your books. Thank you for all the hours of pleasure you have given me.

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:46

@Sarahlouboo

Thank you answering my question

. I have always resisted Catcher in the Rye for similar reasons...maybe I ought to give it a whirl!

It's a lovely book - so charming. But it is one of those books that everyone tells you to read, so if you're a bit of a rebel I can understand why you'd resist it!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 10/06/2015 13:47

Thank you Marian - I'll believe you then

ClearEyesFullHearts · 10/06/2015 13:47

After seeing your youtube clip about the origins of the feathery stroker, I'd like to ask if all your friends are as funny as you are?

ps--I'm a notoriously critical reader of everything (just ask my Book Group), but your books are always a pleasure. More, please.

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:48

@RocketQueen79

From the age of around 12, after exhausting Judy Blume's back catalogue, I stopped reading for pleasure. That was until my friend introduced me to Marian Keyes when I was about 19. I read "Rachel's Holiday" and have been a huge fan ever since. I'm almost 36 now and still read Marian's books as soon as I can (a 2 year old is putting paid to any 'spare' time I used to have).

I love to write too, but I've never got very far with it.

My question is, when you embark on a new novel, where do you start? What is your process?

Oh, thank you!

I start with the voice. The woman who's my main character will start to talk to me. I know that sounds a bit weird...It's a slow process. It's like watching an old polaroid photograph develop.

I really wish you luck and happiness with your writing. Just one word at a time, and it will eventually get written.

0ryx · 10/06/2015 13:50

I finished reading The Woman Who Stole My Life after a weekend of quality reading time (none of that 'squeeze in ten minutes on the way to work' rubbish!)
I have a read a few of Marian's other books, so I knew what I was in for, and it did not disappoint!
Reading a Marian Keyes novel is like chatting with a really genuinely lovely lady you've bumped into. You never really get to grips with the nitty gritty in your chat, you certainly don't move the earth, but you come away from it comforted and smiling.

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:51

@CycleChic

I am yet another one who found "Mystery of Mercy Close" a very acute description of Depression- the best, even closer to my experiences than "Adventures in Depressionland" and TheBloggess.

I've only just started "The Woman who Stole My Life" but have to cheekily ask: how true to your experiences/the lies your Black Dog told you are the depictions of Stella's writers block?

And finally: Jimmy Choos or Mahnlo Blanks? ;)

It's a tricky one. I love them both, and they are both very comfortable, whereas Louboutins, it's like wearing knives. I have literally cried in a pair of Louboutins! They're sitting shoes.

Manolos are more comfortable, but the Jimmy Choos are a bit more beautiful!

Can I also make the case for Chiemihara - very comfortable, high and fun. I swear by them . I'm wearing some today.

Sarahlouboo · 10/06/2015 13:53

Hmmm, yes if someone recommends a book I do then tend to put off reading it...not a very nice (or useful) quality really! The word stubborn has been bandied about by my DH . I prefer 'rebel' so thanks for that.

But I will read Catcher in the Rye and tell everyone it was because Marian said so.

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:54

@Uzma01

I've never read any of Marian's books before, so found it took a little bit of time to get into it.

I wanted to ask - is it difficult to write a book within a book? Since Stella had written a book that you include extracts from - how does it work when it comes to the writing process?

No it's not difficult - I did it with Anybody Out There. Helen has an entire mini novel in that, which is told via several emails. It gives texture to a novel, and if it's written separately and then integrated carefully it can really work.

drwitch · 10/06/2015 13:54

what would you say to Tim Hunt (nobel prize winning scientist) who says that three things happen when girls are in your lab 1) they fall in love with you 2) you fall in love with them 3) they cry when you criticize them?

MarianKeyes8859 · 10/06/2015 13:55

@0ryx

I finished reading The Woman Who Stole My Life after a weekend of quality reading time (none of that 'squeeze in ten minutes on the way to work' rubbish!) I have a read a few of Marian's other books, so I knew what I was in for, and it did not disappoint! Reading a Marian Keyes novel is like chatting with a really genuinely lovely lady you've bumped into. You never really get to grips with the nitty gritty in your chat, you certainly don't move the earth, but you come away from it comforted and smiling.

Thank you - I'm smiling too!

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