Up Close and Personal with Rose English
Introduction
A big warm welcome to Rose English. Like all the authors joining in with our interviews Rose was sent a selection of questions, not necessarily to do with the books she writes but more to get #UpCloseAndPersonal and have a little bit of light-hearted fun. So, without further ado here are the questions Rose chose to complete. There are five sections asking questions about Childhood, Fantasy, Work/Writing, Relaxation and Personal. Please feel free to leave comments below or visit, like and share the authors social media pages found at the end of the questions.
Childhood
What’s the naughtiest thing you have done in school?
As a rule, I was rarely naughty, mum was very strict and we would get slapped legs if we were ever to set one foot out of place. However, I did get caught, chalk in hand, drawing flowers or something on the school walls. Needless to say, I got a detention and had to use an old school blackboard rubber to scrubbed all the walls. I had not been the only one. But I was the only one caught.
Fantasy
Are you a dreamer, and can you recall dreams when you wake up? Have you ever used material from a dream within your writing?
Oh, I dream lots. I am not always able to recall the dreams but if they have woken me up and I have my trusty notebook next to me I jot it down. I have some really crazy notes written in there. I have not as yet used any in my books but I have a desire to write under the name Rosa Rubiginosa – The Sweetbriar Rose (a bush with small delicate roses and thorns). Rosa is the dark side of Rose English.
Social Media Links
Linktree https://linktr.ee/MissRubyHeart
Website https://www.GillariBooks.co.uk/
Wild Wood Press www.wild-wood-press.com
Amazon for Books
www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Rose-English/author/B00SP9WVNC
Work/Writing
What is your typical day like when you are writing?
Very disorganised. I often begin with writing ideas in a notebook, the trouble with that is I have note books all over the place and when I come to type up my words I am looking in several different booklets. Often not even stored in the same room. Another thing is that a lot of my stories come from true life experiences or ideas I might have gleaned from a book. Like with ‘The Grandfather Time Stories’ I was researching information about the longcase clock and how it became ‘The Grandfather’. So, often I will start to type up the work and then end up going online to do further research and I then go off on a tangent. Thus, ending with a load more filled notebooks but lots of great information. It’s surprising I ever manage to finish writing a book.
Relaxation
Dolly and Dotty is my weakness. A wonderful website that sells vintage style dresses with full skirts, pockets and unique pattens that often go with the theme of some of my books.
Relaxation
As a booklover are you able to give us an estimate of how many books are on your TBR (to be read) pile?
To be honest, I really don’t think I can. I do know I have a pile with six beautiful hardbacks and a couple of paperbacks that I see upon waking each morning. These are my first reads to tackle in 2026. Other than that, I have several piles of ‘Leaning Towers of Paperbacks’ that one day you might just find me buried beneath. I hate to think how many books are on my kindle but it is probably getting on for one thousand, give or take the couple I downloaded today LOL.
Personal
Share a funny incident from your life?
Growing up in the ‘70s I was a tall, skinny as a rake teenager with a flat chest (I’m still waiting for my boobs to grow in). Plus, the hair styles of the time were pretty unisex as were the clothes. I was out shopping for mum in the old market surrounded by stalls with big wooden wheels. I was in a rush and as I dashed past, I caught the flap of my Oxford Bags (extra wide legged trousers with turn ups) on a protruding nail. I fell flat on my face and an old man came to my aid. “You alright there lad?” he said. I huffed, brushed myself off and said “I’m not a boy I’m a girl” then picked up my shopping and dashed off into the crowd with a flaming red face and a few sniggers following in my wake.
What is something you cannot live without?
My glasses. Without them I am almost blind. I have been wearing glasses since the age of five years, the only child in our whole school. I was called ‘Specky four eyes’ all the time.
Extras
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
I’m a Read~a~holic, my favourite job was school librarian sharing my love of reading with children. I love the theatre and have a very eclectic taste in art supporting often local artisans and creators. I have a little muse Miss Ruby Heart (a plush toy.) She’s a ruby King Charles spaniel who will often share reviews of children’s books via the My Talking Pet App. Drop by our YouTube channel or our Insta accounts to check it out. I retired Christmas Eve 2025 so can devote free time to once again sharing my love of reading with children.
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