Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Interview with Author Chris Rose


Chris Rose
Norfolk, UK

Good morning, Chris, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the place for Art and Authors. Tell us a little about what you've written.
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?
 Coffee! I don’t like tea…

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?
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





34 comments:

  1. Thank you, for this, Carol, and sorry I'm a bit late in responding.

    Great 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

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    1. Oh, and that big contract double date - yes please ;-)

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    2. My pleasure, Chris. It was a fun interview. Start packing.
      Hugs,
      Carol

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  2. Excellent interview! Thank you both.

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  3. Thank you, Mitzi. But I have to say, Chris was easy to work with. His personality shines through. Come back and see us again,
    Hugs,
    Carol

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  4. I 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!

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    1. Thank you, Chris - ever supportive, you !

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    2. You're welcome, Chris-Jean. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Come back and see us again.

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  5. Excellent 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.
    Happy Writing!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Teresa. Come back and see us again.

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    2. Thanks, Teresa, lovely to see you !

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  6. I enjoyed that interview for a number of reasons:

    1. 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.

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  7. Well, Steven, what can I say? But I'll try >>

    1. 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...

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  8. 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

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    1. Cheers, Scott.

      Great when you can really relate to a book. Makes it all worth while...

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    2. 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.

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  9. 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

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  10. Chris 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.

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  11. Thank you, JEM.

    When 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...

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