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Cecelia Ahern Talks PS I Love You, Gone Girl Success And Her Next Film Adaptation - EXCLUSIVE

We caught up with the best-selling Irish author on the red carpet for the film Love, Rosie

You might not have heard of her, but we’re willing to bet you’ll know her stories.

After completing a Journalism degree in Dublin in 2002, best-selling author Cecelia Ahern penned her first novel, at the tender age of 21.

Cecelia Ahern at the London premiere of Love, Rosie [Getty]
Cecelia Ahern at the London premiere of Love, Rosie [Getty]

The book was published two years later and sat at the top of the Irish bestseller list for 19 weeks.

It was adapted into a film in 2007, with actors Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank landing the lead roles, and made a massive $156,835,339 (£98,586,494) worldwide. She was just 26 when the film came out.

PS I Love You, starring Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank, was a box office smash [Rex]
PS I Love You, starring Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank, was a box office smash [Rex]

Where Rainbows End Becomes Love Rosie

Now 33, married with two children, Cecelia Ahern’s career is going from strength to strength and she’s just released her 11th novel, ‘The Year I Met You.’

But even more excitingly, her second book ‘Where Rainbows End’ has recently been made into a film, under the title given to the book in the US - Love Rosie.

Cecelia's book 'Where Rainbows End' has been made into a film, 'Love Rosie'
Cecelia's book 'Where Rainbows End' has been made into a film, 'Love Rosie'

It follows the two main characters, Rosie (played by Lily Collins) and Alex (played by The Hunger Games star Sam Claflin) and their ever-changing relationship.

If you liked ‘PS, I Love You’, make sure you watch ‘Love, Rosie’ when it’s released later this month.

Her Next Book Adaptation

Cecelia helped write the screenplay for Love Rosie and attended the London premiere of the film, where she told us exclusively that her third book - The Gift - is also set to become a movie.

“It’s in pre-production, there’s a screenplay [writer], there’s a director, all we need is a cast, which would help,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.

Cecelia confirmed her next book to be made into a film is the bestselling 'The Gift'
Cecelia confirmed her next book to be made into a film is the bestselling 'The Gift'

The book was released in 2008 and is another one of her bestsellers. At the premiere, she told us that she had a certain actor in mind to play the lead male role, following in the footsteps of Gerard Butler and Sam Claflin.

“I never do that thing where I want to name people [to cast]. But anyone who’s able – I’d quite like Robert Downey Jr if he’s available!” she told us.

Robert Downey Jr to follow in Gerard Butler and Sam Claflin's footsteps? [Rex]
Robert Downey Jr to follow in Gerard Butler and Sam Claflin's footsteps? [Rex]

Praise For Nicholas Sparks

Another author who’s seeing continued success is US novelist Nicholas Sparks, who wrote such books as The Notebook, The Last Song and Dear John, all of which have been made into films.

His most recent film adaptation, ‘The Best Of Me’, opens in the UK this week, with X-Men star James Marsden in the lead role of Dawson Cole.

But one person who hasn’t had a night in with a box of tissues and a bar of Galaxy weeping along to The Notebook is Cecelia, who hasn’t watched any of his films.

Cecelia hasn't seen Nicholas Sparks, 'The Notebook'. Say what! [Rex]
Cecelia hasn't seen Nicholas Sparks, 'The Notebook'. Say what! [Rex]

“Can you believe I’ve never seen any of them?! He’s an absolute master. I feel like I know a lot about them,” she told us.

She reckons getting books adapted to the big screen, such as The Notebook, is a great way to get people to read your stories.

“It’s great just to get the recognition for writers I suppose, trying to find more ways for people to hear your stories, and getting people to read. He [Sparks] is doing a good job,” she said.

Fan Girling Over Gone Girl

And of course we can’t discuss books with a top author without mentioning the critically-acclaimed ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn, which topped the New York Times Bestseller list on its release in 2012.

It’s been made into a film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike and directed by The Social Network’s David Fincher and, according to reviews, has ‘Oscars’ written all over it.

Like the rest of the world, Cecelia loved it, and reckons adapting the thriller into a slick Hollywood movie has made books cool.

Cecelia praised the success of Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl' [20th Century Fox]
Cecelia praised the success of Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl' [20th Century Fox]

“I have read it and I loved it like everybody else. I haven’t seen the film but I will, I’m seeing Love, Rosie first and then I’ll go and see it,” she said.

“It’s great though, it’s exciting. It makes books cool [because] a lot of people don’t read.

“For me, it’s introducing my story to an even bigger audience and then hopefully after that they’ll go and read the book.”

Life-Changing

Despite writing romantic novels, the mum-of-two prefers to delve into an adventure book in her free time, citing Lee Child as one of her favourites.

“I’m a massive Lee Child fan, which also has been made into a film with Jack Reacher, so I just finished that,” she said.

And the book that changed her life?

Her husband, who’s been quietly waiting by her side as we conduct her interview, chips in and said: ‘PS. I Love You!’

Cecelia agreed: “Well I was 21 when I wrote it!”

Love, Rosie is in cinemas 22 October.

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