The Roses Grow Wild
The Roses Grow Wild charts the broken dreams, career hardships, aspirations and mental health issues prevalent amongst young twenty something’s.
Emily, is an insecure writer who falls in with a bunch of fast living girls and has a relationship with Henry, the bohemian poet-
Aspiring writers, wannabe musicians and jobbing actors populate the landscape, young ‘darlings’ who at all costs keep up an appearance of success. They are all staring up at the stars as the stumble around in the gutter.
Everything in Emily’s life comes crashing down and even her mind is left in tatters as she tries to pick up the pieces of her existence.
Why did you decide to set the book in London?
London is a treasure trove of delights whilst also often feeling like hell-
I wanted to chart the troubles, careers, homelessness, translucent friendships and bad love that all take a stand.
I think it’s all about perspective though, finding your way and taking what you can from it, London can also be the most wonderful exciting place in the world!
What made you want to write a love story?
I quite like twisted love, glamorous love and dramatic love- I suppose sweet love is what you should aim for but the others have a bit more excitement added to them! I wanted to show how love can be so beautiful and that wild love can often hurt the most.
Please tell us about your two central characters.
Emily is a shy writer whilst Henry is the local poetic heartthrob. They have a seemingly lovely relationship at first but Henrys popular status and wandering life combined with Emilys mental health draw the relationship into a frenzy of crazed love and boundaries are crossed in all areas.
Your character is a writer, so how much of you is in her?
I think there’s a part of me in her, her insecurities and weird thoughts! But I wanted to play with the idea of how bad can life get, and in that head space, I felt I could go further with the story and imagine the worst- at times it was hard, its like remembering all the negative thoughts you can have and then illustrating them. I think people can be very dark and showing that side is frightening but were only human.
What made you want to explore the themes of mental breakdown and suicide in this book?
I felt throughout the years of being in London and the people I have met whom have also had struggles, that when you feel down these strange thoughts can enter your head. I have felt depressed in my life of course, I moved to London as at a young age and found it difficult and lonely but I also wanted to hone in on the positives and that when you hit rock bottom the only way to go is up.
What was the appeal of writing about the Facebook generation for you?
I think how young people live, especially in London is fast and crazy! All these ‘creatives’ walking around, the dreams, struggles, excess and flamboyance is a fascinating tumble to watch- just by walking down the street or going to a party you can find yourself in the most bananas situations!
Who are your favourite authors?
I like Molly parkin, Steven Berkoff, John Fante, Bret Easton Ellis and Jennifer Lawrence- I also love a good biography!!
What is next for you?
I’m continuing working on new writing, and in the summer I finished filming a Channel 4 series, My Mad Fat Diary which will be aired soon.