Chris Rose
Norfolk, UK
Well, I’ve begun a
series of books dedicated to a character of my creation, namely, Phillip Rowlings, and the series is, in
fact, called ‘The Rowlings Years’. It
spans from the 1960s to as far as wherever I decide to call it a day. It’s
become a bit addictive.
The first book in the
series is called Wood, Talc & Mr. J;
We never had it so good…, which is set in Northern England in the late
1970s – though I’m also writing a prequel to it, set further back, more 1960s, early
70s. It’s a working class novel, about survival, if anything, and how a
community breaks down amid the advent of Thatcherism. It’s kind of a political
allegory, really. Since this novel, I’ve had a lot of requests for a sequel.
And so I’ve responded
in kind with Nancy Boy, for one year
only, which takes us up to the mid 1990s, and is set in France.
I’m about to release another
sequel, it being the first of three novellas, namely The All-clear; an anti-romance novella, again mid 1990s. The second
will be The Battleaxe of Hastings; an
anti-hist fic novella, and the third: Broken
Strings; an anti-chick lit novella.
Along with the first, Wood, Talc…, I also brought out an
accompanying book, 22 daydreams,
which kind of helps set the scene for the novel: 22 articles written around it,
comparing then, the late 1970s, to today.
What is your favorite
genre to write?
To be honest, I’m not a
genre writer. I’m kind of more of an observer-cum-writer – I really don’t go in
for vampires, paranormal, romance etc… Trouble is, of course, that makes me
very difficult to categorize, and finding my audience isn’t always so easy…
Favorite food.
Vietnamese.
Tea or coffee?
Pizza or ice cream?
Depends who’s made the
pizza. Italian for both please…
Wine or beer?
Both. Religiously.
Where would you like to
visit?
Such a difficult
question, so many, many places. You pick one for me, and if you’re paying, I’m
coming…
Then I pick Italy if you want to stay on that side of the ocean. Every place in Italy is an inspiration; the scenery, the food, the people, the joy they have for life. If you want to hop across the pond, the Grand Canyon is a life-changing experience. It really gives you different perspective on life. All I need is that big book contract, and we'll double date.
Favorite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write? What?
Favorite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write? What?
These three are very
interesting questions. All my books tend to have a musical theme – you could
even say that, at some level, they revolve around a particular song. But you’ll
only understand what I mean by reading my books. The first novel is heavily
influenced by Soul music, as was I when I was young. But as to being able to
actually write and listen to music at the same time, I can’t – I know so many
people can, but I’ve never got it, even at university, seeing students
(particularly females, it must be a multi-tasking thing) writing essays with
earphones, listening to whomever. I love music too much to be able to
concentrate on anything else simultaneously; I find it even difficult to
converse with people when I’m listening to music. Therefore, the music
influences me greatly to write, and then I have to turn it off…
What makes you laugh?
Oh, boy, so many things
– life! Something else you’ll find aplenty in my books, life and lots to laugh
about.
Favorite work of art or
sculpture.
I’m going to say a
painting by a 19th century French Impressionist, Émile Friand,
called The Lovers. It’s the painting
I used for my novel jacket Nancy Boy,
and the original is in the museum of the city of Nancy. I used to sit for hours
staring at the painting. Beautiful.
How old were you when
you started writing?
My late 30s. The right
time. Having lived a bit…
Describe your perfect
evening.
A great restaurant.
Great service, great food, great wine, with my partner and daughter…
Where do you get your
inspiration?
By talking to people,
generally. Everyone’s a poet. They just don’t know it.
What do you do when you
get a writer's block?
I don’t believe in
writer’s block. And, funnily enough, I’ve recently written a blog post saying
the same. I believe in being tired; and if we’re tired, we’re uninspired.
Therefore, I go about something completely different, like gardening, anything,
or watching a good film, or playing my guitar, and inspiration will come, in
its own time… I never force it.
Who is your favorite
author?
So difficult. For this
interview, I’m going to say French author Albert Camus; I make lots of
references to him…
Camus. I love Camus. Best book you ever
read.
Another head-banger.
But I’ll say Camus’ L’Étranger – The
Stranger.
Last book you read.
That was Deborah
Rodrigue’s The Little Coffee Shop Of
Kabul.
What would you do for a
living if you weren’t a writer?
Well, I’m actually a
translator by trade, French and Spanish to English. And I also act in French
theatre, on an amateur level – I think I’d do that professionally.
Cool! Who is the one person
who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My lovely, loving
partner. They don’t come more supportive and inspiring than her…
If you could sit down
and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who
would it be and why?
Audrey Hepburn. Because
she was beautiful inside, too. And it’s something which is very much missing in
today’s society: class.
What advice would you
give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Well, first the cliché
– go for it! And then, take your time with whatever you want to write. Nurture
it – don’t be carried along by the hurried world, it isn’t a race; it sometimes
just feels like it is…
Do you have some links for us to follow you?
Amazon links: Wood, Talc and Mr. J: We never had it so
good…
Nancy Boy; for one year only…
22 daydream (or Wood, Talc and Mr. J, my social media ramblings thereof)
Dear Gentle Readers,
Chris has invited our Vision and Verse readers to pick up a copy of
Nancy Boy; for one
year only on sale for the month of July for 99 cents. (Link above.)
Hugs,
Carol
Thank you, for this, Carol, and sorry I'm a bit late in responding.
ReplyDeleteGreat questions, which I enjoyed answering. You have a fantastic blog going on here, and I'll be back lots.
Keep up the good work xx
Oh, and that big contract double date - yes please ;-)
DeleteMy pleasure, Chris. It was a fun interview. Start packing.
DeleteHugs,
Carol
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deletepacked !
DeleteExcellent interview! Thank you both.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Mitzi, lovely to see you !
DeleteThank you, Mitzi. But I have to say, Chris was easy to work with. His personality shines through. Come back and see us again,
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Carol
Awwww, thanks ! :-)
DeleteNice interview!
ReplyDeleteCheers, me dears !
DeleteThank you, Jackie. Come back and see us again.
DeleteI have read 'Wood, Talc & Mr. J' & 'Nancy Boy for one year only ...', & thoroughly enjoyed them. It was great to learn more about the author behind the books. Thank you Carol Ann!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris - ever supportive, you !
DeleteYou're welcome, Chris-Jean. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Come back and see us again.
DeleteExcellent interview. And your comment about Audrey Hepburn was right on. She was a lovely lady. It was great getting to know some things about the author behind the books.
ReplyDeleteHappy Writing!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Teresa. Come back and see us again.
DeleteThanks, Teresa, lovely to see you !
Deletevery cool! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCheers, CeeCee !
DeleteThank you, CeeCee.
DeleteI enjoyed that interview for a number of reasons:
ReplyDelete1. I have a great deal of respect for Chris Rose. I think time is the only thing standing between him and the success he deserves.
2. I have read two of his novels and loved them. I don't think he knows how intelligent he is.
3. It is obvious that he and I share the same multi-tasking challenge. I can't even walk and chew gum simultaneously.
4. The interview confirmed it. One day I'm going to fly to England, find Chris, then spend and evening getting roaring drunk with him.
Thank you, Steve.Come back and see us again.
DeleteCarol
Well, Steven, what can I say? But I'll try >>
ReplyDelete1. If this is true, the time thing, then, when it comes, I'll fly you this way myself. Promise - actually, I could come your way, cos I have a Niagra date with Carol too.
2. Knowing how intelligent I am? Well I'm still working on that multi-tasking thing.
3. I gave up chewing gum for that very reason.
4. You're most welcome, my friend, it has to be done...
And thanks, Steve, I'm very flatted (and a little flushed) by your lovely comments...
Thankyou Carol for the interview. I am currently in the middle of Wood talc and Mr J...And being from the north of England I think its a remarkable piece of work, that very much captures my own upbringing...Its great to get a little insight into the author's mind, and get educated at the same time..I particularly like his answer regarding writers block..Simple, yet makes so much sense..Audrey Hepburn my all time favourite, and again I concur fully with his comments. Thankyou again Carol..Inspiring
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Scott.
DeleteCheers, Scott.
DeleteGreat when you can really relate to a book. Makes it all worth while...
Its absolutely my pleasure Chris. Its a fantastic book. As I get older, I find it more and more difficult to truly remember my youth as much as I'd like to. To smell great old times just once more, before Father Time calls 'last orders.' .. Your book has brought back a few of those smells that I thought had gone forever..And I thank you for that.
DeleteThankyou Carol for the interview. I am currently in the middle of Wood talc and Mr J...And being from the north of England I think its a remarkable piece of work, that very much captures my own upbringing...Its great to get a little insight into the author's mind, and get educated at the same time..I particularly like his answer regarding writers block..Simple, yet makes so much sense..Audrey Hepburn my all time favourite, and again I concur fully with his comments. Thankyou again Carol..Inspiring
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to see us today, Scott.
DeleteCarol
My pleasure Carol.
DeleteChris Rose' work is a cut above, in every way. The characters come to life and inhabit your skull. You'll be moved. Better, you'll remember why the human race so revers storytelling and story tellers. Rose is a great one. I loved the interview.
ReplyDeleteThank you, JEM. Chris is a gem.
DeleteHugs,
Carol
Thank you, JEM.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read comments like that, I realise there just aren't enough hours in the day to write - I'd love to get more books out there.
Thanks again...