Chat with author Helen Fielding

(CNN) -- Helen Fielding, author of "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "The Edge of Reason" joined the Q&A chat room on March 8, 2000 following her appearance on the CNN International program Q&A.

Chat Moderator: Welcome Helen Fielding!

Helen Fielding: Hello.

Question from IYAD_Kuwait: Helen, if you were to write your book again, what would you do differently?

Helen Fielding: Oh that's an awful question to ask because there is always so much I would change. I always market research my books before I hand them in by showing them to five or six close friends who I trust to be honest with me, so they are very heavily re-written already.

Question from Abel_USA: What advice do you have for single women in the late 20s early 30s?

Helen Fielding: Don't worry, be happy.

Question from Pavel_CzechRep: Helen - personal question, do you keep a diary?

Helen Fielding: No. I wouldn't be so daft because the whole point of diaries is that other people find them and read what you've put. I did once take to writing my inner thoughts on the computer at the end of other things I was writing and ended up faxing four pages of hideous stuff to my accountant so I don't do that now.

Question from Candyce_USA: Were you ever surprised to see the things you'd written, and wonder "where did that come from?"

Helen Fielding: I'm often quite surprised to read the things I've said in interviews and wonder "where did that come from" though actually in the new book when I was at the edioting stage I suddenly found this character called "Jamie" who popped up then disappeared with no explanation whatsoever. I had no idea who he or she was or what they were doing there.

Question from GrapeApe-Calgary: edioting stage. Sorry just had to smirk at the typo.

Helen Fielding: It is horrid to smirrrk.

Question from eric_London: Do you find it difficult to let a book go and declare it "written?"

Helen Fielding: Well I would do except that it is usually so late for the deadline that it is snatched from my hands by someone very annoyed-looking.

Question from Bee_Mex: Confession, please: Who else is in the movie besides Renee Zellweger?

Helen Fielding: Well I know that I am not in it. But no the other parts have not been cast yet as far as I know.

Question from Simon: Helen, who's gonna direct the movie about Bridget?

Helen Fielding: The movie is going to be directed by Sharon Maguire who is a friend of mine and completely understands Bridget's world.

Chat Moderator: What do you picture the character Bridget to look like?

Helen Fielding: Well I always picture her like the picture on the front of the UK edition. That was a photo of a girl I've never met who worked on the Independent newspaper when the column started there. I think she is now a Salsa teacher in Spain, which sounds quite Bridget like except I'm not sure Bridget would easily get the hang of the salsa unless it was something to eat.

Question from Springhost_US: Hi Helen, will the movie include "The Edge of Reason" or just the first book?

Helen Fielding: Just the first book but there might be a few bits of Edge of Reason in - like Smug Married Magda who keeps yelling "In the potty, do it in the potty!" when Bridget is trying to talk about life on the phone.

Question from Swerdloc: Does the US version of Edge of Reason contain the same "Americanized" references as the US version of the Diary? (E.g., lbs. instead of 8st12.) Whose idea was that?

Helen Fielding: Some things have been changed but not many. It's mainly references to UK celebrities, which no one would have heard of. Like when Bridget has a very odd haircut I said she looked like Paul Daniels but we changed it to Donald Trump for the US. Not that I have anything against Donald's hair of course. It just wouldn't look very good on Bridget.

Question from GrapeApe-Calgary: I thought 'world-class' authors had assistants to type for them while they sipped their Cappuccino. ;~)

Helen Fielding: So did I.

Question from Simon: Helen, are you on tour now in the US?

Helen Fielding: Yes I am. I got up at 5 am this morning to fly from Atlanta to Nashville. My hair is very mad.

Question from BolSobaka_US: Helen, who is your favorite author?

Helen Fielding: Jane Austen. I steal her plots.

Question from vivianne: Helen your hair looks fine on TV.

Helen Fielding: Oh did it? Oh thank you. I feel much better now. I thought it was helmet-esque.

Question from B>Abel_USA: Helen you are a beautiful woman.

Helen Fielding: Abel, you are beautiful too.

Question from jayzie: Will there be any more Bridget books? I think her adventures in LA would be hilarious... (lots of material to work with).

Helen Fielding: Well it is very funny there. I come from Yorkshire in England where we like to eat chip sandwiches - white bread, butter, tomato ketchup and big fat french fries cooked in beef dripping. mmmm. mmm. In LA if you order the tiniest creme brulee they look at you as if you ordered engine oil and say "you know that contains DAIRY??"

Question from Pavel_CzechRep: Do you still stand up for defending the word "shag"?

Helen Fielding: Yes I always stand up first.

Helen Fielding: Well I've got to go now. Has been very nice talking to you. Goodbye.

Chat Moderator: Thank you Helen Fielding!