Perfect is out now and we hope that you can’t wait to get your hands on a copy. The second book in Cecelia Ahern’s dualogy is exciting. Here’s what it’s about –
Celestine North lives in a society that demands perfection. After she was branded Flawed by a morality court, Celestine’s life has completely fractured–all her freedoms gone.
Since Judge Crevan has declared her the number one threat to the public, she has been a ghost, on the run with Carrick–the only person she can trust.
But Celestine has a secret–one that could bring the entire Flawed system crumbling to the ground. A secret that has already caused countless people to go missing.
Judge Crevan is gaining the upper hand, and time is running out for Celestine. With tensions building, Celestine must make a choice: save just herself or to risk her life to save all Flawed people.
And, most important of all, can she prove that to be human in itself is to be Flawed?
We had a chance to talk to Cecelia Ahern about it!
Do you have any particular rituals that help you get into the writing frame of mind?
Yes I always light a candle (Jo Malone candle) and I write long hand. Recently I met THE Jo Malone who explained to me that the candle acts as a trigger for my creative process. I always knew that scent plays an important role, with its ability to transport us into our memories or stand out moments in our lives, but I realize now that the scent of my candles also helps set the mood for my creative process.
Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
I don’t listen to music while I write but I do take music breaks, where I blast the music in my headphones at a dangerously loud level, to help me get lost in the song. Music is so important to me. Paolo Nutini’s ‘Iron Sky’ was one of the most powerful songs I listened to while writing Flawed and Perfect. Beyonce is constantly on play, also Sia, The Weekend, Justin Timberlake.
You decided to make this series a duology, why? Do you feel there is more of Celestine’s story that you could tell?
When I came up with the idea at first I thought it would be a trilogy, just because it felt like the ‘done’ thing. I’m so used to seeing trilogies and so my mind automatically thought that way. However when I started developing the story I realized that I would tell the story best in two novels. I wanted two meaty jam-packed stories, fast paced, busy, with always something happening and as a result I have two fast paced novels filled to the brim with action and thoughts. I also feel that this series is about self-reflection, about two sides of the same coin, about the two sides of our characters and so Flawed and Perfect as a duology was ideal and the natural way to go.
You have written both YA and adult books, which one is easier? Why?
The writing process is the same. Story telling is story telling and I see myself as a method writer, I have to get into the head of my character and see the world from their eyes in order to tell their story. Whether it’s a 60 year old man or a 17 year old girl, it’s the same process for me. I will admit that I wrote Flawed in 6 weeks, which is the fastest I’ve ever written a novel, and Perfect was the same. These stories seem to tell themselves, and all I did was hold the pen. I felt my heart pounding and my body trembling as I went on this journey with Celestine. I poured my heart and soul into these stories because the message was so important and the injustice of the situation so deeply angered me. I had a lot say about how I see society.
How did Perfect change during the writing process? Did you start with one ending and is it still the same?
I did intend on killing a character but they managed to survive!! Apart from that, everything went to plan. I knew what the very last sentence of Perfect would be the moment I created Flawed, and it was such a thrill to write those words. I always cry when I finish a novel, it’s such an emotional moment, such a thrill, a rush and also sad to say goodbye to my characters who I lived with for so long and who were such a large part of my mind.
What’s next for you?
Perfect is my 15th novel in 15 years and I don’t know how to do anything else but write, write, write!
Do you wanna win a finished copy of Flawed and Perfect? Just tweet us –
“I want Flawed and Perfect @fangirlishness.”
We’ll choose a winner April 15th.