Thank you Ananda and here goes.
Describe Mummy Misfit in 3 words
Bitchy, funny and warm.
Where does the idea for Diary of a Mummy Misfit come from?
My son has been privately educated and we’ve struggled to do it - I was the Mummy Misfit at the school gates - no designer handbag or holidays abroad for me because all our money went on our son’s schooling.
Can we sense a bit of Amanda in Libby’s character?
There’s a lot of me in Libby - I felt awkward and was made to feel like a second class citizen on many occasions. (I may have to move out of London now!)
If she wasn’t Mummy Misfit she would be - Mummy ________?
Mummy Who Doesn’t Belong!
Do you sing in the shower?
I love my deep bath at night and at the moment my son is obsessed with Pink Floyd so I enjoy humming along while it’s blaring from his bedroom. I HATE the nights he listens to Radiohead (husband’s fault!)
What annoys you the most - people, situations etc?
Snobbery, inequality, racism, rudeness and people who lie or distort the facts.
Five things Ms Egan can’t live without?
My family, humour, sleep, cigarettes, white wine. (Bad mummy!)
How much does it take for Mummy Misfit to become ‘Monster Mummy’?
If people lie or have a different set of rules for themselves I will most definitely become ‘Monster Mummy’. I am fiercely protective of my family and I won’t be told how I should live my life.
Is there someone like ‘Fenella’ in your life?
There is a Fenella in my life and I love her dearly. She’s been made larger than life for the book but she was the basic outline for the character. Had it not been for my ‘Fenella’ I may not have survived prep school!
Is there a time when you say to yourself - “Damn, I’m acting like Libby now?”
Often! I’ve had many mad Libby and Fenella nights and I’ve also panicked about school fees - I lived to tell the story though!
What qualities do you admire most in people?
Resilience, a good sense of humour, generosity of spirit and the ability to take the pee out of yourself. I love people who can turn a boring time into fun.
All Ms Egan wants for Christmas is ………..?
For my family to be happy - I’m saying no more.
Any New Year’s resolutions?
No! I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. New Year is just another day as far as I’m concerned - make changes in your life when you feel they are right! I HATE New Year’s Eve - always have.
Your reaction to a bad (negative) comment about the book (if there were any?)
I have been fortunate to never receive a bad review for the books - YET! (But I am prepared). Somebody once told me I was the most boring blogger EVER and needed to get a life and that upset me for a while. Then I stepped aside, deleted their comment and realised there are weirdos out there who deliberately want to upset. I know I have a life and also that I have lived an interesting and exciting one. I also know I have my followers who love my books and my blog so … stuff the rest. You can’t please everyone - I learnt that as an actress.
Christmas is all ABOUT - _______________________?
Children and making it magic for them. Even with a sixteen year old I want him to have a great time, to feel loved, cosy and special.
Hubbie and I exchange our stockings on Christmas Eve - our quiet time together with a glass of port.
If I’m totally honest, the rest of Christmas is about family, friends and a huge dollop of stress!
I would like to give huge thanks and hugs to Ananda for her varied and fun questions and to wish her, and all my blog and book readers, a very Happy Christmas.
Ananda’s 'Books to Remember' can be found here.
