*** ROCK HARDER by Anna Ghislena ***

March 6, 2013 - PRLog -- What is “ROCK HARDER” about?

Rock Harder is a light-hearted tale about Zoe Monte, a nursery teacher and church goer, who is frustrated by her own lack of spontaneity.  Inspired by her only vice, heavy rock music, she begins a personal rebellion and a journey of self-exploration to escape her world.  This journey is however, kick started quicker than she expects when an anonymous postcard arrives and thrusts her into a jigsaw of coincidence and circumstance, linking the past and a long harboured secret.  In the company of a clergyman with a cellar full of hidden secrets; a porn agent; an ambitious rock band; an adrenalin seeking roadie; a vengeful drug dealer with a stammer and her champagne swilling friend, Jess, she embraces adventures on the wild side of the rock and roll world and battles the rights and wrongs of excess before her guarded past must be unveiled for her own good.

What inspired you to write this book?

Every chapter in this book was inspired by my own love for rock music and the artists who create it.  Music connects people, in body, mind and spirit.  Rock music, in particular, I feel, is amazing, having morphed itself into a multitude of genres over time and still has growing appeal.  Like Zoe, I get such a buzz from live music; from musicians who can really play and from the pure theatre of heavy rock and roll.

How did you come up with the title?

Before I began to write the book, my new year’s resolution was to “rock harder”, i.e. get to more gigs; catch up on newer bands and listen to some newer sounds.  And, it stuck.  It was a motto that I repeated over and over to myself as I cracked on with every chapter and hence, it became the title.

Who are the primary readers of this book?

I am proud to think that this is a better than most specimen of rock chick lit as it is not only involves love and relationships but is spiked with jocularity and has several carefully crafted plots and sub plots that bring the characters together in some funny and alarming ways.  It would appeal to female rock music fans and anyone who fancies a ride on the wild side!  Gentlemen, take a peek if you dare!

How long did it take you to write?

I have to admit that it did take a while.  Juggling a family lifestyle with work and creative desires is a handful so from conception to finalisation, it grew and plots were added along the way.  In all it has been three years.  It was not as straightforward as I first imagined.  However, as my first novel, I am pleased that it took it’s time because, the result is what I am most happy with, and I have already started my next book.

Why did you choose this cover?

This cover depicts the dark horse that we all have hiding away in us somewhere.  Rip is the adrenalin seeking roadie character who says, “There is a dark horse in all of us, it’s just finding it; taming it and breaking it in.”  The dark horse is an underlying symbol of freedom throughout the book from start to finish, and it is almost devilish, a temptress.  The image of the horse on the cover is actually a statue crafted by my late great uncle and one of my most precious possessions.

Did you learn anything from writing this book, and if so what?

Yes, I learned that if you really want to do something you must take a stab at it, regardless of how long it takes to achieve and whether or not the idea is a success.  Life is too short to wonder “what if?”  If I had not seen my book through to the end I would never know if anyone ever liked it or not!!

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The storyline is not based on anyone I know, although some of the fictional bands and artists in the book were inspired by the likes of AC/DC; Airbourne and Gentlemens Pistols to name but a few.  Some of the events are embellished experiences of my own, but only the minor ones, for example, I did win the chance to take part in a video shoot for a famous rock and roll band, although, thankfully my photographic entry was lost a long time ago and I have also had my time in organising church socials!  Zoe certainly becomes a lot wilder than I will ever be and I am sorry to say that “what if….I was like that?” will not be falling into my “what if….?” list of things to do!

Are you working on any other book projects?

I am currently crafting the storyline for my next fiction book and am working on projects that are associated with the story of Rock Harder.  Watch this space!

What do you want to say to your readers?

Thank you for giving my work a chance and I hope that you have had fun with it, after all, that is what it is all about.  I do not think that it is the next, great classic novel, nor is it a moralistic tale.  It is merely an entertaining story sown by the seed of determination and a passion for rock and roll.  If it had to have a moral, then I would accompany the well-worn phrase “live for today, because life is too short” with “find your own dark horse; you never know what you are capable of!”

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