Oh my. Was a guest yesterday on the Breakfast Show on Southern Counties Radio in Brighton where I had three slots to talk about my book, Pets in Prospect, and discuss any topics of interest in the day's papers. I think I've now alienated both wife and mum-in-law as I found myself gabbling out of control. Beryl in the book is based on mum-in-law but my description of her went wildly off course with hair colour out of a bottle, complexion like a crumbled tissue and false eye liable to fall out. Was that my mum-in-law? Yes I said too late. Then the wife. I ended up making her out to be some sort of nymphomaniac as I said we were sleeping in this tent on a football field in Kano,Nigeria, (as one does) when I felt a hand on my thigh. Thought it was her. Wanting a bit..I seem to remember suggesting.. or was that the interviewer..Oh dear. It was a young chimp who'd got into the tent. Nothing to do with having sex but that's how it came across.
Has anyone else had similar experiences of saying the wrong thing or giving the wrong impression when discussing their book?

I made the mistake of saying that my new novel was 'much more complicated' to a radio presenter who'd already said she'd found TMOL 'difficult to follow'!

I don't suppose there's an author in the world who couldn't tell a similar tale. Have your relations forgiven you yet?

Hm.

Emma

Mum-in-law was so pleased that she was going to be in my novel and thanked me some months back. She was sent a copy last week. Phoned to say what a pretty cover it had. No. She hadn't started it yet. Yes. She was looking forward to reading about herself. Ominous silence since. Wife? Well I've muttered about having found it difficult to express myself correctly re an incident in the tent. What incident? Well you know. No I don't know. Tell me. Can't remember dear. You know how it is...What you say becomes a blur. Don't worry she says. I'll be able to listen to the CD they told you they're sending us. Oh dear. I can see Christmas being more Woe Woe Woe than Ho Ho Ho.

I once managed in an interview to make my dad sound like he couldn't care less, which is so not the truth. I was mortified when the article appeared. All you can do in these situations is apologise, and try next time to rein yourself in a bit. If there's a pause during an interview, don't feel obliged to fill it because that's when you can end up letting the mad stuff out.

If the interview's for a printed article, you can try getting the writer to send you a copy before it goes to press.

I've diss-ed the mother-in-law and husband on numberous forums and blogs. Now I just show them the latest entry and we have a good laugh about it. So far hubby hasn't carried out his threat of filing for divorce, although I may find myself cut out of mum-in-law's Will :D

If there's a pause during an interview, don't feel obliged to fill it because that's when you can end up letting the mad stuff out.

This is very wise advice - it's a similar moment at the end when it's all - seemingly - finished.

Emma