Marisa Mackle- Tues Feb 1st 2005

[catherine daly]

Marisa said:

Last year I was the gossip columnist for Evening Herald, which Is Ireland's evening paper.

So will be meeting people we might recognise in Chinese whispers?
Or will they all be too heavily disguised?

[claire]

I'd still rather go to a book shop than buy on the web!

[catherine daly]

I'm going to have to log off now before I become welded to my laptop! And we'd better let Marisa go before her fingers seize up.

Thanks a million Marisa, and to everyone who asked questions and joined in.

And to all of you who 'listened in'- you see we're quite nice really - join us next time!

Join the group to get an e-mail reminding you of events, or check out the main website
www.writeon-irishgirls.com

[Marisa]

Okay, I'm going to have to call you Claire 1 and Claire 2.

Claire 1, are you Irish or Dutch. You must live close to Belgium then? I lived on a Belgian farm for a while... that's a long story. Yes, it's a small world, especially where ex boyfriends are concerned. Once I was on a flight and in the middle of my 'safety demonstration' as I was pretending to blow the whistle, I looked down and saw one of my exes grinning up at me. I went bright red and was never so embarassed.

Now, to Claire 2. The Celtic Tiger hmmm..... Well, when I left college there were no jobs in Ireland and I ended up with a job in a clothes shop which I didn't really lie. My degree was in English and French but most people I knew had to go to England or US for work. It was very sad. I left clothes shop and was on the dole for 6 weeks before I got my job in the airline. It was a very depressing time but then within a year or two the celtic tiger arrived and everybody was supposed to be making money and everybody was driving new cars. Now unemplyment here is pretty low and everyone is coming here looking for jobs! When I was in college I worked in a restaurant 5 nights a week and thought I was very lucky to have the job. Now, it's unusual to have Irish staff working in bars and restaurants in Dublin!

However Claire, not everybody has benefited from the 'Celtic Tiger' and a lot of people I know are struggling. They are professionals - teachers, medics etc., but because property prices are ridiculous and the cost of living is very high, most of them cannot afford houses in the city . Unfortunately, although some people have made a fortune here, especially in the building trade, not everybody is wealthy, the cost of living is very high, people are commuting into Dublin for hours every day and that has made a lot of people quite discontent. In fact I read in the news today that people are borrowing more than ever now so the 'Celtic Tiger ' is beginning to bite back, as far as I can see.

A little off topic I know... sorry

[Marisa]

Thanks a mill for everything Catherine and for setting up the chat. It's amazing to think we were talking to people all over the world here tonight.

Do visit Dublin again Claire. You'll be amazed and will find it has changed so much. Lots of nice bars and restaurants and very cosmopolitan.

But don't go near Temple Bar - it's too tacky and geare towards tourists!. I never go near it if I can help it!

The new 'strip' is Dawson street - you wouldn't believe how popular it has become! Also people are out every night of the week now, not just at weekends.

Catherine, em, hopefully you won't recognise too many people in Chinese Whispers - don't want to get sued now or anything!!!!

Ok, folk, goodnight for now. If there was anybody to forgot to log on tonight, go ahead and post a question anyway. I'll be more than happy to answer any more questions over the next few days.

Lotsa Love from Marisa XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[claire]

Well Marisa, I'm irish living in Holland with my dutch husband. Been married for more than 14 years now. Not bad after meeting him in an Irish bar on the Carnaries! I never thought I would hear from him again, but he just wouldn't take no for an answer. Before I knew it he was on my doorstep and that's where the romance really started. For three years we travelled back and forth, seeing each other maybe 4 times a year. We wrote a lot of letters, made loads of phone calls, no e-mails in 'those days'!
well that's it from me too. Claire 1 & 2 signing off.
Thanks for the chat Marisa, I really enjoyed it!

[Mary]

Thanks a million, Marisa
great to talk to you last night.
thanks for the brill advice,
keep up the writing,
looking forward to Chinese Whispers,
Mary

[amandakelly]

Hi Marisa,
Sorry I missed this but I thought it was tonight, my email said 2nd Feb
Anyway, I read somewhere that you publish your own books which is fantastic. But if that is the case, how do you manage with translations in other countries. Do you translate and publish these yourself too - or do you have an agent that does it all for you?
I think that writers who successfully self-publish are fascinating, it gives a lot of hope to writers who've been rejected by publishers, but I just wondered how you managed to be published in all these countries by doing all the work yourself as well as writing the books!
Thanks,
Amanda

[lisa]

Hi Marissa, that looked really good last night! Enjoyed reading it, fair play to you for answering so many questions so thoroughly.

You were saying your sister (i think) lived in Mackay, in Austrialia? God, my friend lives there too, its such a quite little place isnt it? Well shes always slagging it off for not being as 'big and well known' as the bigger cities. Shes austrilian too.

[Marisa]

Hi Amanda, sorry you couldn't be on line last night but not to worry...

Yes I publish my books myself so there's a lot of work involved but I do employ an editor and two proofreaders because it is impossible to critque one's own work. My editor edits many novels for other publishing houses and is excellent at her job so I really value her criticism. Do I translate the books myself? Are you mad? In a nutshell no. I have foreign agents who look after all that for me. Next year I'll be published in 13 other countries so I'd need to be a bit of a genius to to translate my books into all those languages! However I will continue to publish my books here in Ireland as it give me a certain freedom which I enjoy. And I get to choose my covers etc., and go to all the sales meetings, which I love. Obviously it's a lot of hard work but when you work for yourself, you don't really mind putting in the hours. I also manage to go out a couple of weeks and travel a lot so I don't complain.

Hope this is useful!

[Marisa]

Hi Lisa,

Funny what your pal was saying about Mackay. My sister was always giving out about it saying there was nothing to do there. But it was hot and my sister had a private pool and jacuzzi and her garden was just separated from the beach by a few rocks. I thought it was paradise. And if you sat in the jacuzzi you were looking straight over at Whitsunday islands. I thought it was paradise. But you know I was only there for 3 weeks. I suppose if you were there for a long time, you might go a bit mad. I go to Spain a lot. Was supposed to be going on Sat but just had to cancel my flight as I've just been asked to do a tv appearance next week - drat! Oh well, maybe I can go just for a few days. I need to be back here for 12th though for the Valentine's Day library event.

By the way Lisa, if you're reading, we should be wearing name badges so come up and say hello. And Mary, looking forward to seeing you again. Bye for now girls!

[Leah]

Hi Marisa - thanks for all that lovely writing info you wrote last night - I was sorry to have missed it live, but it was great to read over it today, the day after. Hey, that's a good name for a book isn't it? The Day After!!!! Must jot that one down! IT'S MINE!

Leah x

PS I also flew as an air-hostess for some 6 years! Did you ever think about writing something based on that? I HAVE! It would sure to be a bestseller! Here's a tip for you - Elliott Hester's novel Inflight Entertainment is hilarious! You should read it!

[Marisa]

Hi Leah, my latest book was called Mile High Guy. It's all about the airline business. I'm sure you'd love it if you worked in the airlinge. Which airline did you work for?
Quantas? I have so many airline stories! I could write 10 books about it! Airline stories are really popular. Rights to Mile High guy have been picked up all over the world. I think no matter what nationality people are they love airline stories, just like hospital stories. Weird isn't it? When people find out I was an air hostess they always tell me about their near death experiences on board an aircraft!!!! Have you finished your book? Is it humorous? Why don't you email me your address to [e-mail] and I'll post you a copy of Mile High Guy.

[Joan]

Marisa said:

Hi Joan! Which part of Australia do you live? My sister used to work as a doctor in Australia in a place called Mackay, north of Brisbane. I went to visit her for 3 weeks and I actually wrote a good chunk of my third book there on her laptop by the pool. Then I emailed it to myself. The best thing about being a writer is that you can literally work anywhere in the world! When I was in Mackay I visited the bookshop (of course!) and I noticed they had lots of Cathy Kelly books, but not very many other Irish writers unfortunately. I really hope my books will be published in Australia next year. They will be published in America, UK, Scandinavia, Germany and Italy, which is really exciting. So far they have only been available in Ireland and Japan. Also Joan I noticed that books in Australia are very expensive compared to Ireland. I wonder why this is? What Irish writers do you like? I'd love to know. There are lots of Irish living in Australia so there is no reason why our books shouldn't be more available there. Oh God, even thinking about you over in Oz makes me long for some sun. The weather is awful here and I've just seen the weather forecast. We're due snow and sleet for the weekend. *Sigh*

Hi Marisa and thanks for answering my question - I'm sorry I've been so rude and not come back to reply till now - just been pretty flat out with other things - start of new school/college year, faulty phone line (aaargh!), etc. This will be a bit criptic as well, as have to go and get dinner ready.

I live in Sydney - actually on the outskirts in a semi-rural area right on the edge of the Ku-ringai National Park, which is nice and peaceful. Only ten minutes to the beaches by car, although we don't often go these days - good to know it's there, though! Originally I'm from Scotland. I came out here 24 years ago on a working holiday, met hubby and stayed. I actually stayed in Mackay when I first came out - did the obligatory tour down south first, then up through the centre and across to Townsville. A friend and I travelled down the Queensland coast and stayed with people we'd met on Contiki tours in Europe (I was a cook with Contiki for one season, she was one of my passengers). One of the passengers lived on a sugar plantation in Mackay. We would have had a great time as she wanted to take us out to the Whitsundays on a friend's yacht, but as soon as we arrived, it started to pour (if it rained while you were there, you'll know that it really comes down) and didn't stop for about another ten days! I was told to visit queensland in May because it was the dryest month - hmmmm!

A lot more Irish writers's books available now, Marisa, but not enough. Cathy Kelly, Marian Keyes, Sheila O'Flanaghan are the most frequently available, and I noticed Cecilia Ahearn (sP?)'s new book is out here now. Saw Patricia Scanlan's Two for Joy the other day too. I'm sure I'm missing someone else obvious - of course, Maeve Binchy - all available in the cheaper book stores. I very rarely pay full price for a book here, unless it's just not available anywhere else. Usually look in the chainstores like Target and K-Mart, because they have about 35% off. I thought that books were pretty much the same price as in the UK, but maybe they're cheaper in Ireland and also the exchange rate has changed in our favour over the last year or two. I like all of the above Irish writers, and then I've read Melissa Hill's books and also a certain "All Shook Up", which was excellent, by the way, Catherine - I'm not sure if I ever came in to tell you that, but I meant to!!! Can't wait for your next one.

Apart from the dreadful storms we had last week we've had great weather recently, Marisa. Last few days have been warm and sunny and not too humid, but today was pretty yuck - very hot and humid. Still, better than snow and sleet, and thank God for the person who invented air conditioning!

There are heaps of Irish here in Australia - certainly lots of people have Irish ancestors somewhere in their background. Do hope your books come out here, Marisa, it makes it so much easier (and cheaper says the old Scot in me!) If not, will see if I can get my sister to send one or two out to me.

Better go and get started on dinner - a cold glass of wine or beer would go well with cooking, but deliberately didn't put any in the fridge so I wouldn't be tempted. There is the freezer though, and I didn't realise it was going to be 35 degrees celsius outside today. . . Talk to you all later,

13/2/05 - Did I say criptic, at the beginning of this - don't think it's in my vocabulary! Anyway, another author I love is Monica McInerney, but didn't mention her because I always considered her Australian. I know she's on the Writeon site though and is published by Poolbeg, so I guess she's kind of bi-partisan! I also enjoyed Sharen Owen's The Tearoom on Mulberry Street.

[Marisa]

Hi Joan, I really love your descriptions of Australia - you make it sound like I was actually there - smelling the cooking, feeling the sun on my skin... Gosh I just have to go back. I go to Spain a lot - in fact I'm off tomorrow - and am so organised - NOT. I usually end up packing the night before. Do email me - I'm on [e-mail]. I know I'm supposed to be going away to write but I know I won't be able to stop myself sneaking into an Internet cafe while I'm there. So how often do you come back to Scotland. One of my best friends is a Scot. She is a novelist called Shari Low and is an absolute hoot. I've never gone to Scotland and not had a brilliant time. Take care for now, Marisa X

[lisa]

Joan, Monica McInerney was at the Readers Day on Saturday. Shes lovely isnt she! Shes married to an Irish guy I think. Her books are all based between Australia and Ireland aren't they?

Whats the weather like with you now? Its snowing here now believe it or not!!

l X

[Joan]

Just a quick note, Marisa, in case you've sneaked into that internet cafe. I've been back to Scotland about 7 times - when the kids were younger I used to take them every two years or so, but last time there was a five year gap and I went on my own, mainly to see my Mum who was 89 then and had had a bad year, breaking her leg, and other things - a bit of a wake up call for me. Apart from the emotional side, it was a very enjoyable holiday for me - I got to see lots of friends and family as well, and much as I missed them, it was a lot easier without the kids!

I was just wondering the other day if there were some Scottish women writers like the Irish ones - I did a search for Shari and noticed that they've brought out a book like the Irish one - Scottish Girls About Town, so will have to have a look out for that.

Have a lovely time in Spain - my cousin lives in Spain - near Marbella (sp?) I think. I've been to Spain a few times, but only really the north - Barcelona and the Pyrenees - went skiing at Cerler, a long time ago.

Yes, Lisa, Monica's books are set in Ireland and Australia and sometimes London. Her last one was mainly in Australia, though - The Alphabet Sisters - in the Clare Valley in South Australia, which is where she was brought up. I love the way she introduces little references to people and places in her past books - not as part of the storyline as such, you can read them separately, but just the connection, which makes it more "real" somehow. Great that you got to meet all the writers, Lisa - I knew Monica was married to an Irishman, but didn't realise they were back living in Ireland.

The weather here is improving - we should be going into Autumn soon and it's starting to cool down a bit, still humid though. We've had lots of storms recently, which the dog doesn't like - that's Ben in my avatar - he takes liberties when there's a storm on and comes places he's not normally allowed to go, like the office here. Spring and Autumn are my favourite times of year here - usually warm but not too warm and sunny (although we could do with more rain still). I do sometimes miss the cold though, funnily enough - not the wind coming off the North Sea in Edinburgh, though, driving the rain through your body, or the gray drizzly days - I know it's not always like that, but when I first came over here, if I felt homesick, I made myself think about those sorts of days, not the crisp, clean winter days, especially with the snow.

This was a great day in Scotland when I was there last - my cousin and I visited Loch Lomond on my way back to Edinburgh:

[Shirley]

Marisa, when is the launch for Chinese Whispers? You must post a few photos of it up here after it happens! Best of luck with it.

[Marisa]

HI Susan, I will be sure to let you know. If you are in town, maybe you'd like to come to it.

[Marisa]

Shirley,I meant, sorry...

[Marisa]

And while I'm here, hi Joan, hope you are well, thanks so much for posting that lovely photo. Have to say I think Scotland is the most beautiful country in the world. How is weather now in your part of the world? Nice and mild in Dublin but it's kind of drizzling this morning so no sunbathing...

[Sandra]

Marisa, your books are all based in Dublin and I love identifying with all the places. But would you ever go abroad to research a book?

[Shirley]

Hi Marisa,
Just wanted to say that I enjoyed your interview in Ireland on Sunday yesterday (29th May). It is refreshing to hear someone tell it as it is! The pic was great too - fab clothes!
All the best,
Shirley

[Marisa]

Hi Sandra, usually my books are based in Dublin because that's where I live and they asy you should write about what yyou know. But some scenes in MILE HIGH GUY are based in Boston and Los Angeles because the heroine is an airhostess (just like I used to be!)

[Marisa]

Hi Shirley, how are you keeping? Thank you so much for your kind comments. I am so surprised at the feedback I've been getting from Ireland on Sunday interview. I was out last night and everybody had seemed to have read it. It was probably my most honest interview yet because I don't like anybody to think it's been easy. I've been writing nearly every day for 10 years and people still say to me gosh it must be great lying in bed all day doing nothing and going to parties at night. Of course I am so grateful and I suppose lucky that I got published and now I'm doing what I always wanted but it definitely was very difficult, especially the rejection part. God I hated that postman!!! As for the lovely clothes in the picture, well I had a stylist pick them for me and I ended up buying them because I loved them so much. So it was a pretty expensive interview I must say!

[susan]

Hi Marisa

I can't believe I missed your interview in Ireland on Sunday. Is there any chance we could get a copy of it on here?

I agree with Shirley, Marissa - you tell it as it is! I've read many of your articles in the Evening Herald and found them all to be very realistic and to the point. . .

Best wishes
Susan

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