It’s very rare to have such an event in Cork, so I was delighted to hear that Rick O’ Shea was bringing his Book Club to Waterstones with Cecelia Ahern as his guest.
Cecelia Ahern is the writer of many novels, with Lyrebird being her most recent.
Read on to see how I got on…
The best word I can use to describe being at Waterstones last night is ‘Intimate’. A very relaxed atmosphere was immediate as I walked into the shop, with enough chairs for everyone to sit and feel quite comfortable.
It being my first time at such as event, I didn’t know what to expect. Rick O’ Shea had an air about him that immediately put everyone at ease and it wasn’t long before things were in full swing.
Unfortunately where I was sitting, I had no coverage on my phone so tweeting and facebook posts were minimal (one on each!!) but…it was probably a good thing, because instead, I was able to listen properly to what Cecelia was saying without being distracted by my mobile…something I should probably do more of!!!
Cecelia Ahern is such a fascinating person.
She had originally intended to complete a course in media and film production, but due to her now, well-documented, anxiety and panic-attacks, Cecelia chose writing as a method of conquering these crippling episodes.
Rick asked Cecelia many questions, a few that I will relay part of to you here:
What did Cecelia want to be when she was younger?
I loved the answer to this!! An FBI agent, a detective like Cagney & Lacey 🙂
Her favourite book from her own novels? The Marble Collector
Her favourite author? Lee Child. Surprisingly Cecelia is a HUGE Jack Reacher fan.
Her writing tools? Well now this was very specific indeed and very sweet. A blue Bic Pen, An Aisling Notebook and a Jo Malone Candle. I was amazed to hear that Cecelia writes completely in long hand!! Aisling notebooks come with different covers that match the elements ( Wind, Fire etc) and Cecelia selects the copybook according to the theme of her next novel. For those of you not familiar, an Aisling notebook is a type of copybook alot of school kids use. Cecelia does like a certain Christian Lacroix notebook though for random note taking!!
When is the sequel to her YA book Flawed out?
Perfect is due for release next month ~ so that is wonderful news.
What next for Cecelia Ahern?
Cecelia has signed a four-book deal with Harper Collins, so lots more books to follow over the next few years.
Also Cecelia had very thrilling news. She has signed with UTA, United Talent Agency.
‘One of the biggest talent agencies in the world, United Talent Agency represents many of the world’s most acclaimed figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment and media’
We can expect some very exciting announcements from Cecelia in the near future!!
Cecelia gave us an insight into the background of her latest novel Lyrebird.
Now I was lucky enough to read it (Review HERE) and it was lovely to see the passion on Cecelia’s face as she explained how the idea came to her. After watching a David Attenborough documentary about the mimicry of the lyrebird, Cecelia, with her daughter, tried to attempt it themselves. With little success, Cecelia’s imagination went into overdrive and thought…what if it were possible? If such a person did exist? Lyrebird was born…
There was a little mention of what really happens behind the scenes at X-Factor….but what goes on tour…..
Rick O’ Shea streamed his first ever live feed from a Book Club event and of course, being the eager beaver that I am, I jumped in with my hand up to ask the first question. The lesson I learnt from this was that of the Boy Scout ~ Be Prepared!! I’m used to having my head stuck in a book and I suspect a career on TV will never be a route I will ever go into 😉
It was a lovely evening, a very casual affair and it would be great if we can get more of these events in Cork in the not-so-distant future.
In the meantime, Cecelia Ahern is a writer whose successful career is a pleasure to witness and one I don’t doubt is only tipping the iceberg..
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Sounds like a brilliant event Mairead, I too have watched Cecelia’s career go from strength to strength and I love The Marble Collector, she is a wonderful author and so gorgeous too!
Thanks Adrienne. Lyrebird is the only book of Cecelia’s I have read but I will definitely be keeping an eye out going forward. She is such a lovely person.x