|
British
author Helen Fielding discusses "Singletons," Time Yahoo Chat - Transcript from June 16, 1998 Timehost:
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Time room this evening. Our guest is
Helen Fielding author of the bestseller Bridget Jones Diary, a book that
has struck a nerve with readers on both sides of the Atlantic and all
over the world. She's even created new words that have become part of
the language. But she'll tell you all about that. We're v. glad she's
here with us this evening.
Helen
Fielding:
I'm v. glad to be here. Timehost:
The book grew out of a newspaper column that you wrote... VitaminBee
asks:
When you started with the first Diary entry, did you have any idea of
how you wanted the book to end? Or did the story grow organically? Helen
Fielding:
I didn't know it was going to be a book. Or that the column would last
more than three weeks. I started writing the column anonymously to
finance my next novel, which was rather earnest and about the Caribbean.
I was quite embarassed about writing about such tiny detailed things. It
was only when people started to praise the column that I said,
"It's me, me, me." V. shallow. VitaminBee
asks:
How much is Bridget like you? For instance, have you ever obsessively
counted your daily intake of cigarettes, drinks and calories? Helen
Fielding:
I don't drink, I don't smoke and I am a virgin, obviously. Mole1334
asks:
Is Perpetua modelled on your real boss? Helen
Fielding:
(Laughs) No. Perpetua is a very Londony type, called a Sloane Ranger. V.
confident, v. well-brought-up, v. bossy and never counted a fat unit in
her life. They always have silly names. Sometimes from Shakespeare. Like
Hermione or Beelzedbud. Very_blind_date
asks:
Would you say your "Singletons" are the ultimate
representation of end-of-the-century women? If so, why? Helen
Fielding:
It is very funny to think of people in the book being ultimate
representations of anything, as they were just meant to be funny. But
maybe, it is quite end-of-this-century to be confused about life, really
trying to get it right, but not exactly sure what "it" is. Mole1334
asks:
Dear Helen -- Thanks for a great book. It's just come out in Amerca - I
love it. To me, you are the female (if albeit older) heir to the Adrian
Mole diaries. I hope you don't mind, as I think they were brill. My
question - have your found your Mr. Darcy? Helen
Fielding:
I like Adrian Mole as well as Armistead Maupin. But I think he is a
little young for me. I hope that Mr. Darcy from the BBC's Pride and
Prejudice will play Mark Darcy in the film of the book. Mmmm. Mmmm. Timehost:
We're getting lots of questions along this line... Smooth_frank
asks:
When you wrote this book about Bridget Jones's Diary, could you see
various similarities in your lifestyle versus Bridget's? Helen
Fielding:
I tend to take a little bit from my life, a little bit from what people
tell me, and a little bit from what I see around me. VitaminBee
asks:
You've been mentioned in the press a lot lately with Nick Hornby. Any
other British authors you feel a kinship with, or that we as readers
should watch out for? Helen
Fielding:
Yes. A guy called Alex Garland wrote a brilliant, very readable modern
book called The Beach. V. good-looking and has a
new one coming out this summer. Timehost:
You mentioned the movie version of the book... we've gotten a number of
questions about that... VitaminBee
asks:
I've heard that the Four Weddings people are making a Bridget movie. Any
casting notions? Helen
Fielding:
I keep seeing people I think would be perfect for Bridget. The other day
I saw a girl in the gym sitting reading a magazine on a machine for
really quite a long time. Without attempting to do any exercise. I
thought she would be a good Bridget. Wildflowerbud
asks:
Do you feel that American audiences will receive your book as well as
those in the UK, especially since you have been in Vogue and Newsweek
lately? Helen
Fielding:
Before I came, there was an open letter to Bridget in a London newspaper
warning her not to come, as Americans did not understand irony or
self-deprecation. But the reaction in America has been fantastic. V.g.
and even better than in Britain at the start. Timehost:
I'd like to follow that up with a question about the differences between
the British and American versions of the book. What were they? Helen
Fielding:
Nearly everything was left the same. But I sometimes have trouble at
readings bellowing, "I'm dying for a fag." Which is received
in baffled silence. Fag is cigarette for us, but rather different for
you. Sacajawea
asks:
Did you intend to follow Pride and Prejudice from the outset of writing? Helen
Fielding:
Yes. I shamelessly stole the plot. I thought it had been v. well
market-researched over a number of centuries. Timehost:
A follow-up about the differences between the American and British
editions... Wildflowerbud
asks:
But you did make some modifications? Mainly in the language, or the
cultural differences? Helen
Fielding:
Really very few. They changed "stones" to "pounds."
And there was a huge amount of fuss about "jacket potatoes."
But I think people pick up on the references very quickly. Timehost:
One friend of mine wanted me to ask you about "sandboys." Helen
Fielding:
"Happy as a sandboy" is a British expression which means, er,
"happy as a sandboy." Katejane1
asks:
Helen, have you ever spent a Christmas the way Bridget did? It sounds
awfully true to life!! Helen
Fielding:
(laughs) I think we all know the feeling of being obliged to spend
Christmas Eve bent at right angles in a sleeping bag on one's nephew's
bedroom floor. VitaminBee
asks:
Is it tough writing in a serialized format? Are the deadline pressures
any greater? Helen
Fielding:
I manage to push the deadline later and later every week. It is a great
source of pride. Before I left, I got it to 4pm without anyone even
ringing me up to say, "How are we getting along?" Kismet_sf
asks:
Sorry if this has been asked, but...What do you think of the comparisons
between BJ and Ally McBeal? Helen
Fielding:
I think Ally McBeal is quite a lot thinner. CutiePie_22802_98
asks:
What do you think about cyber dating or meeting from the Net?? Helen
Fielding:
An enormous amount of meeting via computer messaging, fears Bridget,
goes on in British newspaper offices. It is flirtatious, risky and
hilarious and people are always getting caught out. I don't really know
about the Internet because my computer with e-mail on is always breaking
down. Fly_girl25
asks:
Has your book been released in Canada? Helen
Fielding:
I'm not sure. But I think so. I'm not sure if it is already or soon will
be. Mole1334
asks:
How many countries has it been published in? Helen
Fielding:
Twenty-two. And some of the titles are very funny. In Italy, it is
pronounced the "Diarrhea of Bridget Jones" Then in
Scandinavia, there is "Bridget Jones's' Dagbox." Katejane1
asks:
I feel like I know quite a few smug marrieds. Did your married friends
get defensive when you created that oh-so apt description? Helen
Fielding:
They laughed, but they did stop asking me why I wasn't married yet.
Which was peachy. Wildflowerbud
asks:
May I ask if you personally chose the cover of your book? Helen
Fielding:
No. Unfortunately, I have no visual sense whatsoever. But I love the
American cover. And think it leaves enough to the imagination. VitaminBee
asks:
Will there be a another installation of Bridget's diary? Helen
Fielding:
My publishers ask me that with increasing franticness every three days.
It was due to be handed in three weeks ago. Unfortunately, however, I
have not done it yet. Timehost:
Here's a question about the original columns: Mole1334
asks:
Which paper did the column appear in? Timehost:
For those of us who have not seen the columns, are they very similar to
the novel? Helen
Fielding:
A lot of them will be in the next novel. They are a continuation of the
story, apart from the ones which I leave far too close to the deadline
before beginning, which are complete gibberish. Sacajawea
asks:
I have some fun married friends getting married this weekend... how long
'til you think they'll get all smug? Helen
Fielding:
About 45 seconds, I would say. Timehost:
You mentioned Armistead Maupin before... VitaminBee
asks:
You've been compared to Armistead Maupin a lot. Are you a fan of his
Tales of the City books? Helen
Fielding:
Yes. A huge fan and very flattered to be compared. I like the way he
writes about modern urban families and the warmheartedness of his books. VitaminBee
asks:
Do people stop you on the street to ask relationship advice? Helen
Fielding:
(laughs) No. People do not recognize me. But when I do meetings, girls
are always confessing to me rather as if I were the Pope or similar. Very_blind_date
asks:
When will Bridget Jones's Diary, the movie, come out and will it differ
substantially from the book/your columns? Helen
Fielding:
I think in about 18 months the movie will come out. I hope it will be as
true to the book as possible. I am involved in the script at the moment,
but there are so many people involved in making a movie it is hard to
predict what will come out at the other end. It could end up starring
Ronald Reagan as Mark Darcy opposite Mary Tyler Moore as Bridget. VitaminBee
asks:
What kind of response have you had from the gay community to your book?
I, and my gay friends, feel like Bridget is a long lost sister. Helen
Fielding:
The gay community in Britain has been great. My gay friends all think
they are Tom. But only the nice bits. Tom says in the book, "Single
girls in their 30s and homosexuals have natural affinities, both being
used to being treated as disappointments to their parents and as freaks
by society." I'm v. glad you like Bridget. Strange2000
asks:
Why do you think your book strikes such a cord with young single women? Helen
Fielding:
It came as a surprise to everyone. Publishers included in the UK. Maybe
it is because she is human and we are all trying so hard to be marvelous
in so many areas. It is a relief to laugh at imperfections. stamguest_fb92500
asks:
Why are there so many singletons these days? More than before, right? Helen
Fielding:
Unfortunately, I am not as much of an expert as I would like to be in
social history. But I think there are lots of reasons why more people
are single today, including that when women can support themselves, they
are less willing to compromise. by marrying someone who bosses them
about or bores them. Or tells them their bottom is fat. Kismet_sf
asks:
Do you think it's better that people are waiting longer to get married,
overall? Helen
Fielding: I
think the important thing is that people don't judge other people and
insist that they form perfectly formed nuclear families at the age of 18
1/2. Sacajawea
asks:
What do you think of Absolutely Fabulous? Helen
Fielding:
I absolutely love it. I think it is hilarious to see such exaggerated
characters who nevertheless have so many roots in reality. Katejane1
asks:
are Bridget and Mark EVER going to get it together or would that be the
end of the column? Helen
Fielding:
(laughs) I never know until it gets to Friday morning. But I really like
Mark Darcy as a character and I'm not sure I could live without him. Wildflowerbud asks: If or when you get married, do you think you will write about married life, and its trivialities also? Helen
Fielding:
Sometimes I wonder if I will be writing about Bridget Jones's 75th
birthday party. But I don't know. As my Mum is always saying, none of us
can see into the future. Timehost:
We're going to have to wrap things up soon...I'm sure you'll like to
hear this comment from a reader... Mole1334
asks:
I read it the day it came out. Waited six months, and had to stretch the
reading over two days, didn't want it to end... Helen
Fielding:
I'm v., v. pleased to hear that. Hurrah! Timehost:
And we don't want to end either, but if you have any closing thoughts,
we'd love to hear them. Helen
Fielding:
Has been v. nice talking over Internet. And v. pleased that Americans
like Bridget even if she does not have the perfect job, the perfect
body, the perfect marriage, the perfect house, and a bottom like two
billiard balls. Timehost:
But she does have the perfect chronicler... thanks v. much for joining
us this evening. Helen
Fielding:
V. flattered. Thanks v. much for having me, in a manner of speaking. Copyright © 1998 Yahoo! Chat and TIME. All rights reserved.
|