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Helen FieldingEnglish writer and screenwriter, best known for the series of books (and films based on them) about Bridget Jones.
Date of Birth: 19.02.1958
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Helen Fielding
Helen Fielding is an English writer and screenwriter, best known for her series of books (and the films based on them) about Bridget Jones. The Bridget Jones books are often considered "modern adaptations" of Jane Austen novels; "Bridget Jones's Diary" shares a similar plot to "Pride and Prejudice," while "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" contains many references to "Sense and Sensibility." However, Fielding should not be accused of plagiarism - Austen's novels merely served as the basis for extremely popular and relatable stories.
Early Life and Education
Fielding grew up in Morley, West Yorkshire, a small town in northern England near Leeds, known for its textile industry. She lived near a factory that produced clothing for miners, where her father worked as a manager. In 1982, Fielding's father passed away, and her mother, who still resides in Yorkshire, raised her.
Fielding received her higher education at one of the colleges in Oxford. During her time as a student, she participated in the creation of a performance for the Edinburgh Festival. This experience led to valuable connections, including friendships with Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson.
Career
In 1979, Fielding joined the BBC, initially working as a researcher on the news program "Nationwide." Later, she transitioned to producing a variety of children's and entertainment TV shows. In 1985, Fielding reported from a refugee camp in Sudan for the "Comic Relief" project. She also directed two documentary films about life in Africa for the same project.
In 1989, Fielding worked on the documentary project "Where Hunger is a Weapon," which focused on the unrest in Sudan. All of this unique and vibrant experience served as the basis for Fielding's first novel, "Cause Celeb."
From 1990 to 1999, Fielding worked as a journalist and wrote columns for several national publications such as "The Sunday Times," "The Independent," and "The Telegraph." It was in one of these columns that Bridget Jones was born. The success of the stories published in "The Independent" inspired Fielding to write the acclaimed novels.
Fielding later participated in writing screenplays for the film adaptations. Her first book, "Cause Celeb," received positive reviews but sold poorly. While working on her second novel, which satirized cultural barriers in the Caribbean, Fielding earned a living as a reporter.
During this period, Fielding was approached by "The Independent," who offered her a column on single life in London. Initially, Fielding found the idea quite audacious, but she eventually created the comically exaggerated character of Bridget Jones to write the column. Fielding wrote anonymously, allowing her to discuss many difficult issues candidly. The column was a huge success, and Fielding's identity was eventually revealed.
Bridget Jones's Diary and Success
Fielding's publisher suggested she forget about the Caribbean-themed book and instead write a novel based on the column. This led to the creation of "Bridget Jones's Diary." The first edition received warm reviews but had mediocre sales. However, a year later, the paperback edition was released and became a bestseller. The book, in a way, became a precursor to the "chick lit" genre.
The sequel, published in 1999, was equally successful. In 2000 and 2004, film adaptations of the novels were released. It is expected that a new Bridget Jones book will be released in 2013, continuing the beloved character's story.
