This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
by Susan Lobban
This Monday night – when I would usually be sitting on the couch channel hopping with a coffee in hand – I was lucky enough to be at the Grosvenor Cinema in Glasgow attending a premiere screening of Love, Rosie. I had won a competition to attend the intimate event courtesy of No.1 magazine, and not only was complimentary wine and popcorn provided, but we were given the chance to meet Cecelia Ahern.
Quiet and unassuming, Cecelia was there to sign her latest book The Year I Met You along with the movie tie-in version of Love, Rosie. Fans queued to get a personalised message in their book and Cecelia was happy to chat away to everyone and pose for photos. When it was my turn she was delighted to hear I was from Novelicious. We talked about Where Rainbow Ends and when I told her this was my favourite of her books, I was surprised to hear it has been 10 years since it was published – it didn’t feel so long ago! She even admitted that she had to re-read it to remind herself of the story before the film started filming. It has taken this long to come to production, even though it was optioned shortly after its release, and Cecelia has seen numerous screenplays pass by over that time.
After the signing all the competition winners took their places in the comfy leather cinema seats ready for Cecelia’s Q&A session with No.1 magazine. As well as her fantastic writing prowess, Cecelia showed that her strong family support really played an important part in her successful career. From her mother encouraging her to submit PS, I Love You for publishers’ consideration to her then boyfriend (now husband) David lovingly dropping her books into conversation whilst lunching with a film producer friend – she is very appreciative. Although she received a chorus of laughs and “awws” when she said the novelty of reading her books has long since worn off for her friends and family. Her mum is still the first person to read her new writing and she even managed to prise her husband away from the latest Roy Keane biography to read her current book The Year I Met You. 
Over the years Cecelia’s family situation has changed now and she is now a mother of two young children. As well as changing her life for the better, she also feels this has benefitted her writing. Gone are the days of writing all night and when inspiration strikes; she now has an office outside the house, so she takes great joy in walking to work and between the hours of 9.30am-5.30pm, her writing hat is firmly on. Her writing routine is now more structured and focused, too, as she wants to make those writing hours count, especially if she is missing play time with the children for them. When asked which was the favourite of her books she was as shocked as she might be if someone asked which was her favourite child, and was quite rightly unable to answer.
The Year I Met You is Cecelia’s latest release and tells the story of Jasmine, a 30-year-old workaholic who loses her identity when she loses her job. Struggling to find something to replace the hole in her life she decides to throw herself into gardening. Thereafter, each part of the book follows the gardening seasons while Jasmine’s moods reflect the changing times as they pass. Jasmine and the garden start off in a dark and depressing place, but as the seasons brighten and flower, so does Jasmine’s life. Along the way her new path intertwines with Matt, who has his own struggles and a close friendship begins to blossom before our very eyes. It certainly sounds like another emotional novel, which I look forward to reading.
At the end of the interview Cecelia left the theatre to rapturous applause and we settled down to enjoy the film. The audience was literally mesmerised from the minute Lily Collins appeared on screen. I personally thought she made the perfect Rosie – so endearing and completely believable. Then as 18-year-old Alex (Sam Claflin) danced alongside his best friend, he definitely made the part his own and I fell more in love with him as we followed the pair through the years. The chemistry between the two actors was amazing and I soon forgot their relationship was not actually real!
Love, Rosie is a gem of a film as it has really managed to bring Cecelia Ahern’s beloved book alive. This book to film adaptation will warm your heart rather than make you despair.
The Year I Met You by Cecelia Ahern is out now.