Have you drawn upon any personal experience for this novel?
Denn Killian Matthews: My novel is fictional. Therefore I am tempted to say it is not autobiographical. Nevertheless my conception of the process of literary production is that it draws upon all the events one experiences themselves or is a witness of. In this sense the novel, if not autobiographical draws not only upon the experiences I have gathered as human being but also upon every piece of reality I have selected as potentially inspirational material. For instance, as regards characterization, I utilized disparate elements : some totally imaginary, some drawn from actual people I have known but always having been sifted by the sieve of literary work. Generally speaking, I have tried not to make a point of personal considerations if it didn’t have patent relevance as regarded literary production.

Who would you say your influences are?
Denn Killian Matthews: For this novel I would say that my literary influences were Henry MILLER, John BERENDT and mostly Jack KEROUAC, and to a lesser extent Raymond CARVER, Thomas WOLFE, Virginia WOOLF, Katherine MANSFIELD and William FAULKNER.

Do you want to continue writing in this genre? What other novels do you have planned?
Denn Killian Matthews: I would indeed like to continue writing in this genre, but not solely. I have already written a collection of short stories and a play and would like to explore the technique of writing plays and musicals. I have indeed the desire to write a future novel on the rise and fall of a music band (as I love music and find some bands such as the Dave Matthews Band or Alanis Morissette or Radiohead inspirational in terms of creativity).

What is the significance of ’Englishness’ (words and references) creeping into a novel set in America?
Denn Killian Matthews: The significance of "Englishness" is manifold. My first intention was to praise the "universality" of the English language (in North America and Great Britain) and to lay emphasis on the link between geographically distinct parts of the Anglo-Saxon world as well as underline the vivid relations of the community the English language covers. Tina, as a paramount character of English descent, encapsulates this idea to a certain extent. Furthermore the narrative voice is deliberately partial to British English to a degree; there is also the deep praise and love of the English language above the idea of geographical boundaries.

Could you see this novel being turned into a screenplay?
Denn Killian Matthews: Yes, I indeed could see this novel being turned into a screenplay. I actually have written this novel striving to organize its structure so that images, narrative technique and plot could fit in a possible screenplay. I have born this idea in mind throughout the conception and writing of my novel. I strived to visualize my novel at every stage as regards every aspect (dialogues, sceneries...). Moreover I think forms of art interrelate.

Could you see Josh appearing in another novel, a sequel?
Denn Killian Matthews: Josh could appear in another novel, yes, but I would not conceive this possibility in terms of sequel because even though the end of the novel is open I haven’t thought about a sequel for now but your question is very relevant and it is certainly a possibility.

What have been the initial reactions to Wild Roses?
Denn Killian Matthews: The initial reactions to Wild Roses I know of have been very positive, flattering and encouraging (my publisher and his whole team said the novel was excellent as well as all those I know who have read it).