Really Good, Actually
This week we popped along to the latest Bookbar event with Monica Heisy and Dolly Alderton, in celebration of the launch of Monica’s debut novel ‘Really Good, Actually’ (love, love, love the title).
It was, as expected, a really lovely event. It took place in a lovely church in Clerkenwell and we listened to the two authors chat to one another for an hour or so before it went on to a little Q&A and then a book signing.
The book signing was a highlight obviously, big fan girl moment on both sides. As you probably all know we’re big Dolly fans and Monica was one of the screenwriters on Schitts Creek which is ultimately one of our all time favourite shows (and yes, we did tell Dolly that Ghosts inspired us to start the podcast lol aaah).
But the whole event was really nice and it felt like just listening to two pals have a chat (which sentimentally, we kinda hope you feel a lil bit like when you listen to the pod?!).
They covered the topics of the book, which is all about a 28-year-old who goes through a divorce, drawing on some of Monica Heisey’s own experiences. It is supposedly both uplifting and emotional and explores the idea of becoming single when a lot of your pals are starting to settle down amongst other things (we’re yet to read it so shall come back with an episode when we’ve finished it with our thoughts).
We got some advice from Monica on writing, something that stood out to Kath was that you have to sit with an idea for a while whilst it forms and then as long as you have the basic shape, you can keep refining and refining until you have something you’re happy with. Advice she’ll take into her writing adventures for sure.
Dolly mentioned that now is the first time her friendships have been truly tested as many of her friends have started having children, and how the shift in some of her relationships has been super challenging - on both sides.
They talked about the role of weddings in stories and how great they are as a narrative tool for bringing everyone together, plus emotions are always pretty high so that adds to the intensity and plot!! (in real life too of course)
And one of our favourite things they discussed was how Monica’s novel intentionally bucks the trend of the female millennial dating trope. She said something along the lines of “I didn’t want her (Maggie) to be disrespected on dating apps. I wanted to show a side that is a little more fun, dating’s not just a tragedy it’s a bit of everything.”
We started our podcast talking about dating apps, because of Dolly’s novel Ghosts, and it’s a topic we’ve never really finished talking about. They’re so integral to society and particularly that of the millennial. We’re so excited to get stuck into this novel to see the role they play and how dating is fictionalised in, hopefully, a refreshing way.
There’s something so special about listening to authors talk about their books and something even more special about hearing two genuinely good pals talk on stage about their work, which is so relatable and means so much to so many other millennials like us.
More book events and more wine in 2023 pls
Episode of ‘Really Good, Actually’ coming soon we promise x