Zak Hardacre author Interview 21st july 2016

Author Interview

with

ZAK HARDACRE

Hi Zak, thank you for joining me. How would you

 describe your books?

 Romantic Erotica 

What genre is your work and are you hoping to 

explore new ventures (if you haven't already? 

Romantic Erotica, I may move into something else in the future but not sure yet what. I have written books of the military genre under my real name, but don't wish to share that information at this time. 

Can you share with us a quote from one of your characters? 

Not one that springs to mind lol!!

 

Do you find it is hard to come up with new idea's or plots? 

At the moment as I am quite new to the genre I find ideas come surprisingly easy. As I write more and more books the story lines may become a little more difficult to think up. 

How about characters. Are they easy born and developed? 

The characters up until this point in my writing are basically based around me and others who I have known. They don't really need developing as they are already formed. 

How long does it take you to complete a book? 

My last book took around a month to write, but I guess it is dependent on the length and the story line. 

If you could pick any of your books published or unpublished to be made in to a movie what one would you pick? 

I think I would pick my latest book "Undercover Liaisons"

Who would you choose to play your lead characters? Jenifer Lawrence and Gerard butler.

Have you ever trashed a novel or story before after finishing it. Feeling it wasn't turning out how you planned? 

No I have been lucky never to have been in that situation. I can imagine it would be really frustrating. 

What inspired you to write your book? 

Past experiences I had whilst serving in the military. 

Who is the easiest character to write for and why?

 Who was the hardest and why? 

The easiest character to write for is the main character which is nearly always based around myself or someone I have known. He hardest is one that I have made up and need to develop 

Who is your favourite character from your book (s)? 

My favourite character is Zak. I know it sounds egotistical but he is strangely enough a facsimile of myself. 

Without giving anything away what is/are your favourite scenes in your book and why? 

The ending of "Undercover Liaisons" as it is my first book in erotica that I penned myself. Also it has an ending you wouldn’t expect. 

Do you have any hobbies? 

I love cycling walking in the mountains, swimming and reading. Generally keeping myself fit. I think it has been ingrained in my from my time in the army. 

What do you do to relax? 

I read watch some TV, and like to socialise with friends. 

Do you have a specific writing style? 

I don’t think so, but I do tend to incorporate a lot of real life events into my writing. 

Do you have a set routine when you are writing? 

Sort of I get up early exercise and do at least an hours writing before I start work. 

How did/do you come up with the titles? 

From my past in some shape or form. Well the ones I have written to date anyway. 

How much of the book is realistic and are any of the experiences based on someone you know or events in your own life? 

They are nearly all realistic as they have either happened to myself or others I know or have worked with. 

What books have most influenced your life most? 

There are any books but my favourite authors are Shakespeare, Steven King, James Herbert and Charles Dickens. 

If you could choose one person dead or alive who would 

you consider as a mentor?

 My father 

Is there a certain subject that you wouldn't write about and what is it and why? 

I am very open minded and would write about anything as long as it had a good story line. 

What are you reading now? 

I am reading "Surving Sydney" by Shelby-Kent Stewart 

What are is your current project?

 My current project is called "The Principal's Daughter" based on the story of a Close Protection Officer or bodyguard. 

Can you share a little from your current work with us? 

Basically it revolves around a character called Richard who is contracted to be the Personal Protection Officer for an American diplomat in London. He comes to the attention of his young sexually active daughter. After a secret sexual encounter Richard finds that it is not the Principal that he requires to protect, but his newly found lover. Without spoiling the story I will leave it at that.

 

What has been the reaction to the saucy scenes in your books?

 I have had very good reaction to them both on Twitter, Amazon and on Facebook. 

How do you feel when write the spicy scenes in your books? 

I actually enjoy them the most, it is almost like being there if you know what I mean? I think most of us like to imagine ourselves in a world that ordinarily we would not enter due to personal circumstance. 

What was the hottest scene you wrote for one of your books published or unpublished? 

One between two guys and a girl in "Undercover Liaisons". The act of sharing a sexual encounter is to me a big turn on and hope it would be for readers. 

Do you think there is a difference between erotica fiction and porn in books? 

Yes I believe that erotica is for the mind where porn is something completely different which I wont go into if you don't mind lol!!! 

Do you think there are any misconceptions about erotic story's? 

Yes initially before I began writing erotica I thought it was for ladies of a 'certain age'. I have found this to be a myth and I enjoy reading erotica was much as I do writing it. 

If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? 

No I don't think I would change anything that I have 

written up to date. 

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 

My father was a good story teller, and captivated me by the way he could mix fact with fiction. The reason I started writing erotica, well that is a long story but I will try and make it as brief as I can. I began using social media as a tool when I started out writing. I have published two books at this moment in time, with a final third one on the way. They are of a military genre and based on my experiences over the twenty three years of my service. Whilst using social media I came across another writer, and I can't remember how it happened but we became friends. During this time I was looking through different genres and came across a book by a lady which had a military theme to it. I noticed something familiar about her profile picture her face obscured by a hat, yet the smile was unmistakable. I knew it was the same lady that I was friends with already, who writes under a different name. After I confronted her with this she came clean, and I read and reviewed three of her military style erotica books.

Well from there on I was 'hooked' and couldn't get enough of it (if you excuse the pun). I began downloading books from a group of authors purely for research purposes of course. I found that there was such a varied mix of writing styles, sub-genres and kinks.

Armed with this little bit of knowledge I co-authored a piece of work called "Explosive Chemistry" with Dakota Storm the interviewer. Being both British born with the same heritage and traits that go with it, we found that we had the same sense of humor and outlook on life. It made my first foray into erotica an enjoyable and pleasurable experience As we passed the manuscript back and forth I would read over what she had written, and 90% of the time it was what I would have written. This made the whole thing fun and a pleasure to do.

The thing I have noticed so far compared to other genres is the support you receive from other authors. I couldn't have got to where I am on this particular journey without them. They know who they are and I would like to formally thank them all. 

What do you do to keep fit?

 I love to cycle, take long walks, swim and jog.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging 

in your writing? 

yes I find punctuation at times challenging. 

Who is your favourite author and what really

 strikes you about them? 

I don't have a favourite but I do like Shakespeare, Dickens, Stephen King and James Herbert.

Who designs your covers?

 As I am artistically challenged in this area they are 

mostly done by friends. 

Do you have anything you want to say to your readers?

 The only thing I would like to say is that I hope any books that I have publish or will published will be enjoyed by those reading them. I enjoy creating a world that others may or may not have entered before. It is either familiar to some but also interesting to others. The ability to take a reader on a journey that due to their own personal circumstances they ordinarily would not have been able to take. 

What is your favourite genre to read and write? 

I actually like historical fact and fiction, having studied History for my degree with the Open University. I am now being drawn more into reading erotica so to enable me hopefully to make any future releases interesting. 

What is your Favourite Movie?

 My favourite film is 300 with Gerard Butler. 

Do you have any funny quirks?

 I don't know if it is a quirk but I tend to do my writing early in the morning, just after I have exercised. My brain seems to be firing better at that time. I work full time and find by the end of the day my motivation wanes slightly. I also have a notepad and pen by me all the time while watching TV. If I think of something I just put a quick note to remind me for later. 

Do you have any bad habits? 

I tend not to stick to a story line and can at times

 go off on a tangent. 

How would your friends describe you?

 I am an outgoing person who lives life to the full. I enjoy a good laugh and gravitate to people who are like minded. I don't suffer fools gladly. 

What is the most romantic thing you have done for someone or someone has done for you?

 I once booked a weekend away in Paris for my wife while I was serving in Iraq. Little did she know but I had arranged my leave to coincide with this weekend. I had flowers, champagne and chocolates ordered for the room. When she arrived I was waiting sipping champagne in the bath, which certainly surprised her lol!! 

What are you like in the kitchen? Do you have a

 specialty you love to cook? 

I cook most meals, and absolutely love cooking. I avidly watch a number of cookery programs for new ideas. I have no specialty as such, but can make a nice stir fry. 

What is your favourite food? 

Curry 

What is the worst job you have ever done? 

I have enjoyed all of the jobs I have done, but I would say that at times in the military under adverse conditions I questioned my decision. 

What is your favourite colour?

 Blue 

Do you ever get ideas at random moments and if so

 how do you hold on to them? 

I jot them down on a notepad or on my phone. 

Can you write under pressure?

 Yes I have learned to tailor my life work balance

 to cope with this.

 

What do you do to get over writer's block? 

I normally find exercise, and long walks in the mountains, give me time for reflection. Discussions with friends about their experiences and drawing on my own also helps. 

If you could pick any author to co-author with who 

would it be and why?

 It would be Dakota Storm as we have already collaborated on a book, and we worked really well together.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

 Fulfill your dreams, everyone has at least one book in them. Take support where you can and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Where do you see yourself in ten years' time? 

Being successful in the erotica genre. I didn't set out to make money just for the love in writing so being successful to me is people enjoying my books.