Wish I hadn't done it

As I understand it, one can't be sued for speaking or writing the truth.

Well, you could be sued but it would be unsuccessful if you spoke/wrote the truth!

If you are accurate, you have nothing to worry about!

I used to go to the Geographical Society's talk in London and some of the most interesting and prolific authors sounded bored and boring on stage whilst some of the orinary trekkers were brilliant raconteurs.
One of the wittiest and most natural speakers/story teller was Joanna Lumley.

I am intrigued too, hope we find out who it is.

I love finding out what the rich and famous are really like. We have a couple of friends who work for a big film studio near us and some of the stories they tell us have really opened our eyes to how some very famous actors give off the impression to the public that they are really lovely and stand for ages signing autographs, but put them on the film set and they turn into nasty ogres that nobody wants to be be around.

My other half and I went to see Barry Norman at a book signing once and he also did a talk and a Q&A session. He was absolutely delightful.

Just found this thread and I’m intrigued! Hope someone works out who it is, or we get some more clues soon. I can think of at least one author (one of my favourites) who could fit the description - I was so disappointed when I saw him interviewed on TV.

Thank you, Barbara.

Lee child’s is going to do a tour soon but it can’t be him because he’s been on screen. That little Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher!

Fishpie, my DH who taught Will Self says that he was like that at the age of 13 and hasn't changed much since!

I've heard Pullman,Horowitz and Rankin and liked them all. So it can't be any of them. Give us another clue.

Coffee at book club? We always have prosecco and/or wine!! ?

I’ve googled writers on tour but haven’t found anything.
Which area are you in?

I hope it wasn’t C.J. Sansom. I love his books. He was a solicitor before so public speaking?

I find that with Desert Island Discs. Sometimes people that I previously disliked, have come across as charming and interesting and likeable and I have changed my opinion of them. Reverse has also happened, when a major newsreader and journalist was on, and was a pompous arse.

This has been such fun to read.
I am often disappointed when a writer, whose funny articles I have enjoyed in the newspaper, gets interviewed on radio or TV and just doesn’t sound amusing at all.

Oh he is very used to public speaking. In fact I would say there was an element of boredom and condescension.

Is this getting a bit tedious and frustrating now? Ha, full of my importance too...

Book club cancelled. The coffee machine wasn't working. So much for our literary pretensions!

Yet another example of someone who needs public speaking instruction. I was very disappointed to hear a famous theatre director once deliver a 'speech' which consisted of his reading aloud an article he had written. I have public speaking teaching qualifications so I am perhaps over-critical, but really there are some people who should know better. I know that standing up to speak can be a frightening experience, but with the right training the fear can be conquered and you can end up with an appreciative audience.

Eglantine21, perhaps you could give us a list of the books you have read recently?

Can I recommend Monty Don here and I wasn't even a fan! So it wasn't him.

What was the other job?

Was it something to do with schools?

No I don't really mind. All part of life's rich tapestry Off to book club now. Let's see what they thought...

I would say 'never mind', after all if you'd hadn't gone you might be wishing you had, not knowing that it was a wasted evening.

Well he looked older than me. But I have inflated ideas of my own youthful looks.

You might be going a bit off track Chewbacca.

His work doesn't translate well to the screen.

Definitely another job before fame.

Has he been on TV - much, a little, far too much?

Was he fanciable - obviously ignoring the ego?

Well known individuals get written about negatively all the time in newspapers, depending on journalistic opinion. It's when a blatant untruth is outed. Remember the furore when Sally Bercow made her gaffe on Twitter about Lord McAlpine, the wrong McAlpine, she paid the price. I also read that a couple of posters on MN had made negative comments about a doctor, and he was going after them. I understand your caution Eglantine. Still like to know who it was though