Hardeep was born in the city of Wolverhampton, on the very day, one hundred years prior, legendary gunslinger Doc Holliday dropped former army scout Mike Gordon with one flawless shot. He currently resides in Leicester, where he spends the majority of his day perfecting the art of the quick draw, and compiling endless lists of words, ready for the hour when the urge to write seizes him.
The quick Q&A
Tell us one thing you loved or found fascinating about a place you have lived.
This question has convinced me I need to move. Thank you.
What did you want to be when you grew up (other than a writer if that was an option)?
I always wanted to be an artist, but found that although I could recreate something I was observing to the very last detail, when I actually tried to convey what was in my head it usually resulted in something that appeared as though drawn or painted by the hand of a child. Frustration set in. I then discovered writing and all was well in my world.
Which super hero would you most like to be and why?
Not sure if you could actually classify her as a superhero, but ‘Mazikeen’ from Mike Carey’s ‘Lucifer’. Because she is a badass is why!
What is your go to comfort book or writer when you can’t settle into anything new?
‘Kiss Me, Judas’ by Will Christopher Baer. Guy wakes up in a bath tub full of ice minus a kidney. Guy hunts kidney thief. Kidney thief has a body like a knife. Guy falls in love with kidney thief. I’m pretty sure I read this at least twice a year. I love noir, and this reads like silk. It also has possibly the greatest last paragraph in a book I’ve read.
It’s finally happened! The zompoc is here! Name four things in your ‘go bag’ and your primary weapon.
Just gimme a Katana and some comfortable shoes.
What is the single most important thing to your writing process?
The words themselves. When beginning something new I have to have a few enticing words that I have never used before to be excited to actually put to use and create a spark with. Once I have them spark becomes a flame, flame becomes a fire.
If you could collaborate with any author who would it be and what would you write together?
If we’re counting those that are no longer with us it would be William Burroughs. As to the why and what it would be, well he’s kinda been a teacherly figure for me, reading his works when I was younger just opened a portal to an expansive realm of possibilities when it came to writing. To work with the master is always the student’s dream. It would be an epic.
Hardeep is available for interviews. Contact adele @foxspirit.co.uk