#I spent so many months writing Art of Demonology

[naomida]

had a brand new idea for a fanfic to consume my life for months, finally!!! <3

[prettywordsyouleft]

Heartless

Summary: Hyungwon had been collecting the hearts of those for as long as he remembered. But none of them sounded nearly as beautiful as yours did.

Pairing: Chae Hyungwon x reader

Genre: demon au / dark / angst / bittersweet / romance

Warnings: death

A/N: Welcome to my second Demonology story for the week. I’ve had this idea for months, in fact probably close to a year now. It’s pretty dark and out of character for my usual fluffy self but since this collab is called Frightful October, I always try to include at least one story that’s more suited to the title than my others. Still, it was a challenge to write, so I do hope you will give this a chance and read it.

Word count: 3958

[Frightful October Masterlist]

He watched the human from within the shadows, his gaze unaffected despite the brutal killing happening in the alleyway. It wasn’t Hyungwon’s first time seeing such a sight, and it wouldn’t be his last either. His job was simply to clean up the mess left behind. He sighed as the woman’s cries slowed, the life soon seeping away from her face. It was a difficult moment for Hyungwon, his eyes upon her chest as he watched the movement slow and then stilled entirely. Her heart would no longer beat.

It was now useless to him.

However, the man who stood above her, exhilarated and exhausted from his achievement had plenty of beats left in his heart. It seemed almost a shame that Hyungwon couldn’t reach out to save the one that now lay dormant within her chest. But he didn’t focus on her for too long, his job was tied to time. If he moved too soon, he wouldn’t harvest it at the right moment and if he waited too long, he would sacrifice the chance he had. He waited in the shadows for only a moment more before he leapt out, taking away what the man had stolen from the woman below him.

It was another job well done and Hyungwon could afford a couple of days rest. He glanced around the darkened cellar, staring at the specimens he had collected over the years. Some of the hearts belonged to cruel and disgusting monsters, those he had no problem with culling from existence. They were heartless before he removed the organ anyway. He glanced at the row of smaller hearts and moved closer to them. He fingered the side of a small jar sadly, looking at how broken this heart was. The child had been hooked up to so many machines with no chance of survival. Those hearts were harder to harvest. Taking life from a child still felt wrong no matter how many times he had done so. Even if he knew it would end their suffering.

Hyungwon had no choice though. He was bound to his role for eternity, to serve those who he had crossed when he was young and reckless. A heart paid a hefty price, and much like with anything in life, all had a different price tag hanging above them. This broken heart he cherished so much would sell for much lower than the one he had harvested this week.

But they would all sell. The underworld was a dark and twisted land, with entities that reaped luxuries such as beating hearts. Supply and demand was still such a thing down here and he was no different from the others out there following orders and bringing forth what their masters required. Capitalism at it’s finest.

It wasn’t a role Hyungwon gained any true satisfaction out of. Sure, for monsters like the serial killer he now held the heart of, there was a fleeting moment of purpose. He knew he had saved lives by removing the man from the world above. To rid another shadow from that realm meant he had done more than just harvest a heart. But what good were his efforts overall? One killer gone didn’t rid the world of tragedy. More would cause destruction. Humans were a funny sort of race. They claimed to be the best and yet they were far worse than the animal kingdom. At least, with animals, the cycle of life made sense. Humans did as they pleased, and didn’t care for the consequences.

Their hearts all had some sin on them once their innocent years had passed them by.

Hyungwon’s role didn’t focus on some sort of heroism though. He wasn’t just removing those who did bad things from existence. Hearts came in all forms and it was his job to collect them all. From the morbidly sick to the perfectly healthy, he had done them all. Old or young, they all had a price.

Much like his mistakes had.

Putting the new heart onto his desk, he sighed, taking a seat behind it. Steepling his long fingers together, he stared down at the new order to prepare for after his days of rest.

Next, he would be collecting your heart.

Following along quietly, Hyungwon watched you intently. Each order only had five days to observe the subject and then make the best execution for optimal harvest. In the past, he had been sloppy as he learned the ways of being a Heartless, and lost one too many hearts in the process. It was all a fine art, the removal much like a masterpiece. One bad brushstroke could ruin an entire piece and heart culling was much the same. To gain the highest bid was reliant on how well the heart was still beating. Hyungwon needed to know you first before he could decipher in which way he would remove your heart.

Learning about you didn’t immediately tell him why your heart had been requested. Not that he questioned his orders now. When he was new to all of this, he would ask questions. Why did this perfectly healthy human have to die? What was so special about them over the many others out there with more plausible reasons? The truth was there was no logic involved. He didn’t need to know why he had to take your heart, even if there was no obvious answer to it. From the average viewer, you seemed like a decent human being. A college student with a bright future ahead. You were friendly yet focused, and a small part of him was envious of your ability to get everything done with so much grace. You irked him over the first couple of days of observation, living a life that had been so far from his own when he was once alive. It made him eager to find his best plan forward so he could be done with you.

And so, a day earlier than usual, Hyungwon was lurking in the shadows as you walked home from your late-night studying session, preparing to take what he was expected to from you. He knew the quicker he was in approach to you, the seamless it would be. You were naturally curious and had a lot to say to people you met during each day. If you started talking, it wouldn’t take you long to realise he wasn’t from this world at all. Coming up behind you, he reached out for his bounty, readying himself for your heart. He listened out for its beating sound, soon stunned by it.

This was why you had been chosen.

It sounded like a symphony, beating to its own tune, unlike other hearts. He had heard so many over the years but nothing quite as beautiful as yours. This heart would pay top dollar. It would cause fights among the elite in the market. It was incredibly rare, and Hyungwon was entirely overwhelmed by it.

Shaking off his reverie when he realised the sound had become distant from your continued walking, he dashed after you, grabbing you immediately. There was no scream emitted from how quick he had been. Your body slumped in his arms, now unconscious, your heart thumping faster momentarily before settling back down. Even heightened, it was like music to his ears. It pained him to reach for his tools.

And he wavered far too long above you to take what he was meant to.

Why should he take your heart? One day, it would become a prized trophy stored in a library of some wicked monster. Or worse, lay upon a table fit for a King and devoured until the very last beat. No, Hyungwon couldn’t bear the thought that your heart might stop beating one day. His hand trembled as he struggled with his inner dialogue. Could he take this heart and hide it as his own? Somehow mask the sound so no one would ever discover his deceit? He had never been so desperate to keep a heart for his own.

Then again, he had never heard such beauty before either.

Whilst struggling through his turmoil, he wasn’t nearly as aware as he should be. Eyes opened before him and he blinked rapidly, cursing that you had woken up. The plan was broken now. You had seen him and he waited for your scream, terror from what you saw before him.

Instead, you frowned, lifting your hand to his face and flinching when you connected with it. He was amazed himself, no human had ever reached out for him like this. Especially when he still held his tools towards your chest. His grip faltered though, when you spoke.

“I’ve seen you before.”

“What?”

“In a dream that I’ve dreamed my whole life. It’s you. I can’t believe it!”

Hyungwon wondered if the knock to your head he had given you had caused you to hallucinate. Sure, he looked every part of a human on the outside. But he had long left that part of himself behind. Could there be someone out there that you had mistaken him for? Yet your smile was genuine. So much so that he stopped thinking you were playing at a ploy of escape.

“Are you sure?” he asked and you nodded instantly. “Then you must know-”

“From another lifetime,” you murmured and he frowned, staring at you more intently. Had he once known you when he was alive? Only hours ago he had been done with your existence, jealous and frustrated with how amazing you were. Now, Hyungwon worried just how much he would do for you.

It was in that moment that he knew you both weren’t alone anymore, and without thinking much about it, he hastily returned his tools to his pockets, scooping you up and fled from the shadows you had both spent far too long within.

Not that taking you back to his lair was a smart choice either. You were still alive, heart beating just fine and yet completely out of place. Hyungwon cringed when he realised what he had done, though he was desperate to know more of what you said. If you knew him, then maybe you were worth the risk. Not handing over your heart next week for inspection was definitely not something he had anticipated. Right now though, he was unsure of everything about you.

He wished your order had gone to someone else.

However, with the sounds of your beating heart from across the room, he knew he couldn’t handle knowing this heart could belong in the hands of another. He was protective of it already, and since it was attached to you, his gaze softened.

You smiled. “I guess decorating the place isn’t really up on your list of things to do, huh?”

His room was simply furnished, a bed along one wall, dresser and desk against the other. A wash basin and towel was by the door and that was all Hyungwon ever used this room for. He spent far too much of his hours Earthside or in his cellar to have a pressing need for this room to be more personal. Still, he found himself awkward as you took in his basic belongings, your brows furrowed together. You then turned to him.

“Were you going to kill me?”

In any other setting, Hyungwon would have tried to placate you. But you were so direct with him that he felt no need to be anything but that with you. “Yes.”

“Because?” you wondered and Hyungwon watched as you moved closer. He didn’t answer and you smiled. “Did I do something wrong?”

“I have by bringing you here.”

“Alive, might you add,” you commented, pursing your lips together as he nodded.

“Shouldn’t you be scared right now?”

“I am, to a point. But I’m with you and I know you’ll protect me.”

He chuckled darkly. “I was about to kill you, remember?”

“But you didn’t,” you retorted and he sighed, you had him there. “And you won’t, right?”

“I’m ordered to, so don’t trust me. I could do it at any stage.”

You nodded softly, lips still pursed. “Only you this time.”

“Only me… what?”

“Only you can kill me this time. Don’t let anyone else.”

Hyungwon was confused. Had he killed you before? Surely, he would know a soul he had crossed previously. How did you even know him? He craved your answers but he also knew the more he uncovered, the easier it would be to throw himself in the firing line for you.

And you somehow knew this also. Moving dangerously close to him, you looked up briefly as you gently rearranged the collar of his shirt. “I know you’ll keep me safe.”

Shoving you off, he shook his head. “I told you not to trust me.”

He had left you and your confusing words alone in his room as he came down to the cellar. Among the beating of hearts, he began to relax, though the sound was nothing like yours on its own. It muddled his perception, listening out for it from the room above despite all those around him that he could more easily listen to.

Somehow, the even beating of your heart sent him off to sleep. He dreamed for the first time in decades, seeing a world that was so far attached from him. Dancing around as a child, laughing and giggling with his friends.

With you.

He had known you then. Or at least, the you of the past. Hyungwon had grown up with you, a dear friend and then lover to each other. As the dream continued, he almost could tell the story before it reached the next point. He knew of this past well. The pivotal moment in his life where he had killed for the first time. Shaking from head to toe as he dropped the knife he held, now covered in blood, Hyungwon heard your whimpering behind him.

“Is the monster dead?” you asked, coming out from where he had hid you. You wrapped your arms around him as he slumped, comforting words all that he heard.

Turns out though, if you kill the Heartless, you have to become one.

Jolting up from his dreams before it got to the first heart he was assigned to, he stared up at you, realising you had been calling out his name. He searched your face, wondering if you knew that he had killed you back then too. You smiled, reaching out for his hand and he snapped back, shaking his head.

“You shouldn’t be down here. I specifically told you to wait upstairs.”

“Aren’t you hungry?” you wondered and before he could answer, his stomach did. Giggling, you pointed to the plate before him. “I figured if I used some of the supplies in your kitchen, I should make for two. I hope you don’t mind. Not that you really had anything in there.”

He hadn’t shared a meal since he last had with you. Did you know that as well? You smiled over at him again, gesturing for him to eat up before it got cold.

Hyungwon decided he would take heed of your request.

He would protect you from his kind once more.

Days passed and he grew agitated. He had unnecessarily killed, something that he had only done twice during his job. He had sought out the most beautiful sounding heart that he could find and without much thought, taken it to replace the one he was protecting. It had been accepted as yours without any question and for now, everything was stable. You were still at his side and no one seemed to realise his deceit. He would do it again if he had to just to ensure your safety, though you were far from pleased about it.

“Someone lost a life because of me?”

“She had a medical condition. If anything, I helped her escape a prolonged death.”

You shook your head, tears falling in streams. “She had the choice to do so much more though, Hyungwon. Please don’t kill others. Kill me if you have to.”

“You and I both know I already have once,” he replied darkly, stalking away from you. The nightmares haunted him now, his first order as a newly turned demon was to take the heart his former comrade had been sent to do that he had killed instead. He had no idea what a heart should sound like back then and was too frazzled by the task that he failed to even harvest it correctly and you were balancing between life and death. Instead, his trainer had, and he had been left with no option but to watch on hopelessly as you died. Hyungwon believed he was stronger now, one of the elite Heartless. Still, he had always followed orders. Out of fear in the beginning, and because it was all his existence meant over time. Observe, cull, and sell over and over. He had truly believed he had little heart left himself now.

Until you.

You were making him inconsistent, sending him crazy from fear all over again. He couldn’t just disappear with you, no matter how much he wanted to. His departure would only show that of his deception and put you in further danger. It would only be time before someone found you though, especially since you never listened to him.

“I told you to stay put, why did you follow me here?!” he hissed as you appeared over his shoulder as he watched his next order from afar. You sighed heavily.

“I’m not in a jar yet so you can’t hold me captive.”

“I’m not putting you in one either,” he grumbled, grabbing you by the shoulders and marching you backwards. Within a blink of an eye, you were both back in his bedroom and you threw off his grip, shaking your head rapidly.

“Is my heart that valuable?”

Hyungwon avoided answering. “If I don’t harvest that heart by tomorrow-”

“Take mine instead.”

“No.”

“She’s healthy!”

“So many are!” he exclaimed, rubbing at his face. “Healthy, young, beautiful, a lot going for them, there’s so many of them!”

“What happens if you don’t do your orders, will they kill you then?”

“If that were the case, do you think I’d still be here?”

“Then how did you manage to kill the one who attacked us?” you wondered and Hyungwon slumped on his bed, putting his head in his hands. He felt you sit down beside him, leaning into his side. He had avoided this conversation for so long now but for you, it was overdue. “You protected me.”

“I still am.”

“How did you kill him?”

Hyungwon groaned, looking up at you desperately. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? A fellow demon cannot kill me but a mere human could. You could.”

“And then my fate is to become Heartless as well?”

“You will have no such fate.”

“There is no escape for us? No happy ending?” you asked forlornly, pouting when you stopped talking. Of course, you knew there wasn’t and Hyungwon’s silence confirmed your suspicions. You began to cry and he held you tightly as you did so, rocking you both through the realisation.

The love he held once for you had returned and he would lose it again.

Eventually, darkness encased the room, long after the tears had subsided. You had both laid on his bed and were still curled up in one another, comforted by this rare moment of stillness. Hyungwon was savouring every part there was to you this time. The way you breathed in and out, the softness of your skin, the shape of your eyes. Everything was imprinted in his mind, no longer ashamed to see you within it. He had pushed the memory of you out of his thoughts long ago, unable to comprehend his rise and fall that connected with you.

However, the longer you stared back at him during the soft moonlit hours together, the easier he saw your renewed determination. Hyungwon watched you carefully, running his hand repeatedly through your hair. “What are you thinking of?”

“Our escape together.”

“I told you we can’t do such a thing. One of us will die trying. And that will be me.”

You poked his chest with your index finger. “Then will you rest knowing that they will take my heart without your protection?”

He swallowed roughly, emotions rising to the surface. “I can’t kill you again.”

“I will.”

Sitting up, he looked down at you, confused. You smiled, reaching up for his jawline affectionately. It still amazed him how natural it seemed for you to love him in this lifetime. Moving so you were level with him, your lips found his softly, like a breeze brushing across his mouth momentarily. You then smiled at him, placing your other hand on his face. “I will do it all.”

“I don’t understand your suggestion, Y/N.”

“You no longer want this existence, right?”

He nodded distantly, he never had. But he was bound to this cruel fate forever.

“And it takes a human to kill you, right? I’ll do it.”

“You will not-”

“Before then, I will need some ingredients. Do you ever remember the plays we read when were younger, Hyungwon? Romeo and Juliet?”

“You’ll poison yourself?”

“Will we be free then, together?” you hoped and he stared at you intently. His gaze then slipped to your chest, the heart he was protecting thumping beautifully within. It pained him to even consider hearing the last beat it ever took again.

And yet, it gave him hope to know that it would be a choice you both had as well.

Neither of you discussed the plan for the rest of the night. You explored one another in ways you had never connected in the past, Hyungwon relishing in the sound of your heart experiencing the ultimate high.

When morning came, the mood between you was loving and bright. You got up, ate your final meal together, smiling the entire time. He hadn’t felt this light since he was a child. Eventually, you got organised with what you needed. The heart he was meant to collect was still beating out there somewhere and he knew it wouldn’t be long until someone came for it.

He wouldn’t let them find yours instead.

“How do you know we’ll meet again?” he asked you softly as you prepared your last drink of this lifetime, the purple colour convincing him of its potency.

You stopped stirring it, turning to stretch up and peck his lips. “Because I found you in this lifetime again. Our fate is connected.”

“I can’t argue that,” he admitted with a smile and then wrapped his arms around you from behind, your body rocking back into his chest. “Though I worry that we won’t end up in the same place together. I have so much sin on these hands.”

You took them in your own, linking your fingers together firmly. “I won’t let your hand go, not even in death.”

He knew you meant it, and it was one of the things he focused on as he felt the life slipping from him hours later. That and the beating of your heart. It was erratic now, given once you had pierced his chest you then reached for the bottle and downed all the contents quickly. Slowly, he heard the beating skip, starting and stopping, in its final symphony. He closed his eyes when you slumped against him, hands still connected.

There was no pain, even when he no longer could hear your heartbeat. Because he knew he didn’t need to collect your heart whilst it was beating anymore.

It was already his.

_________________

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For those of you that don’t know Paul Flewitt you are missing out on a great friend and an awesome writer.  He has a wonderful sense of humor and is always ready to help out his fellow writer friends. He is very passionate about his writing and is always glad to spend some time with a fan talking about his books. If you are looking for a good story I highly recommend anything he writes. Please help me welcome Paul Flewitt back to Roadie Notes…….

1. It’s been awhile since we talked what new books do you have out now? Latest release?

I have nothing new in print at the moment. I’ve spent the last couple of years concentrating on shorter work for anthologies, honing my craft and really trying to tighten up on my style and structure. I’m finding my own voice and my own way of doing things now, though little has changed on the page it HAS made a difference to the process I work to. It’s different for different authors, so I’ve experimented with notes, pantsing and writing at different time of the day. Now, I think I have a routine which should mean I get far more productive. Also, having completed work on the new house it means I’m not trying to get things done amid the chaos of builders and trades-folk around the house. I said I had nothing new in print, but I DO have something that was released that I couldn’t speak much about last time we spoke. It’s quite exciting that some of my work found it’s way to TV at the beginning of the year, thanks to a TV project called Fragments of Fear. It aired and went live on YouTube, so now I can tell you more about it and actually show it to you. The Silent Invader is a 15 minute story in which I explore the dark relationships that some people have with their TV sets. I often hear that people like Marilyn Manson, Eminem and Judas Priest are blamed for events like Columbine and other tragic atrocities, because of the themes of their art. I also often see that movies and TV shows have also been blamed for inciting people to violent acts, so this is something which inspired me to write a monologue involving a television. It’s a lovely piece of darkness, with a neat little twist at the end. If you’re not faint of heart or easily offended by dark themes and descriptions of violence, then please check it out here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10xJ9z1ip8k

2. If you could pick any author alive or dead to have lunch with who would it be? Why?

It would be Clive Barker. Looking at reviews and talking to people who read my work, his name is one that often pops up. I’ve read him since my teenage years, and his stuff has always spoken my language. His method of opening doors to possibilities beyond human knowledge has enthralled and enraptured me and I can truly get lost in his art; whether that be his books, artwork or films. In interviews, he never fails to engage with his audiences and leaks little snippets of information regarding his own methods. I could listen to him speak all day long, because you learn something about horror and dark fantasy every time he speaks. Who wouldn’t want to have a one on one conversation with someone who has a mind like his and has the ability to convey his ideas so eloquently.

3. What is the strangest thing a fan has ever done?

You know, my fans are all pretty normal. It’s quite disappointing really. I do get the occasional anorak type reader, who pulls up inconsistencies or facts that might be slightly wrong, but I haven’t had anyone send me dirty underwear or the innards of sacrificed animals. I really don’t know whether I should be upset or relieved about that.

4. What is the one thing you dread to do when writing?

Editing and writing synopses, without a shadow of a doubt. There’s something inherently difficult about trying to write a synopsis and simmering down your story into a couple of paragraphs. Am I giving too much or too little? Is it engaging or is it yawn-til-your-jaw-breaks boring. I think it’s something that most writers struggle with. Editing is the same; picking apart something that you’ve spent months writing and omitting lines and paragraphs that you might’ve loved at one time. Thankfully, my editor, Patti is awesome. She’s worked with me since Poor Jeffrey and our relationship is more friendly than professional now. She understands my style and instinctively knows exactly what I’m trying to achieve with every story. Editors are invaluable and often very giving of their time and selves. I couldn’t publish a word without her assistance nowadays.

5. Did you have imaginary friends growing up? Tell me about them

I didn’t have imaginary friends, but I did always have an active imagination. This would be displayed in many ways; in playing with real friends and messing with toys, creating worlds that I could inhabit for weeks on end. That developed into writing poetry and short stories for friends or just for myself. I dunno about imaginary friends… I never seemed to need one.

6. Do you go to conventions? If not why?

I’ve been to a couple. My publisher is Matt Shaw, so you can imagine the fun and frolics that happen during a weekend with him. Last one I went to was with a few guys that Matt has either published or been friends with for a while and it was a real hoot. For myself, I don’t really have the following to justify the financial outlay of attending as a writer. I’ll get there, I’m sure, but now isn’t really the time. That said, if my friends are getting a table and want me to attend then I’m always happy to join them. Conventions are fun and at the right ones you can meet potential readers and existing ones, at the same time as getting together with good friends. Yeah, cons are cool.

7. How many times did you have to submit your first story before it was accepted?

Once, and I was truly amazed. It was for a Clive Barker tribute anthology based on the Cabal book and Nightbreed movie, coinciding with the screenings of the Cabal Cut. It was only a 500 word flash piece, but it was snapped up. Right after that, my first short story and Poor Jeffrey were also picked up by two different pressed, so I had a really lucky start to my writing career. I still don’t quite know how that happened, but I’m thankful that it did.

8. Ever consider not writing? If so what made you continue?

Yep. Sometimes I find writing a real struggle. The words don’t come and when they do, they’re just not as great as I hoped it would be. I do get over these periods pretty quickly, I just need a quick kick in the pants, but it’s never great when it happens. It usually comes at times when the writing has been flowing really well, and then I hit a wall. In fairness, the past year or so haven’t been the best for me. Between some family issues and the renovations, it’s seemed like I’d never get anything published again. I know I’ve let a couple of people down with not being able to hit a couple of deadlines, but that’s life and they’ve been very understanding about my situation for which I’m grateful. Hopefully, there’s light at the end of the tunnel though, and I can get back to the productivity that I had a couple of years ago. Fingers crossed!

9. Ever thought about writing in a different category?

You know, I never felt the need… yet. Horror and dark fiction has such a wide remit that there’s a lot of ground to cover, so I can satisfy my appetites without stepping out of the genre. Whether it’s full on horror or dark fantasy, I can spread my wings as much as I need to and tell the truths I want to explore within that framework, so why muddy the waters by stepping into another area? The great thing about the genre is that I can do horror, dark fantasy, crime fiction and a plethora of other styles and it will still fit the remit of horror, in the broad sense. No, I’m pretty much at home here… I paid the rent in advance.

10. Any new additions to the family?

Hell no. I have two children that occupy my time and my wife has allergies which have stopped us from having pets since our son was born. Weirdly, she never had allergies before, but since being pregnant with our son she’s allergic to every damn thing. It’s heartbreaking, because we’re all animal people and have had pets in the past which we’ve loved unconditionally. My siblings are all younger than me and are showing no interest in starting their own families, so it’s not even like I have nephews and nieces that I can corrupt. That time will come though, they have been warned.

11. What is coming up next for you?

Well, I have three manuscripts in various stages if completion so it depends which one I finish first. One is a thing that Matt Shaw challenged me to write a couple of years ago, but I’ve never been able to get it right. It’s for the black cover strand, so there’s a responsibility to deliver something truly horrible for him, especially given the subject matter that he challenged me with. One is something that I’ve been working on since school and it really embraces my love for fantasy, while retaining the darkness. The third is a continuation of a story that I wrote for Dean M Drinkel’s Demonology anthology. The character deserved to have more of his story told, so I began writing it but never got it finished. Hopefully, one or two of these projects will see daylight before the end of the year, but I make no promises. I won’t release anything until it’s absolutely right.

12. Do you do release parties? Do you think they work?

Not so much. I prefer to take over blogs and other people’s pages and corrupt their fans. Of course, these things work as a way to reach out to new readers and to allow seasoned fans to chat to you personally. I always feel that talking to readers is the best way to promote your work. Ask me anything, I’m an open book… and they usually do.

13. Do you have crazy stalker fans? Have you ever had one you wish would go away?

Again, my readers tend to be fairly normal people, so no. I do get people who want to have an in-depth conversation about character motivation and why I made certain choices, but no one that I’ve felt has been a pain in the ass. They are the guys and girls who pay my wages and put spending money in the pockets of my kids, so I at least owe them a bit of my time to chat.

14. Do you still have a “day job” ? If so what do you do?

The whole reason that I got into publishing was because the job market where I live slowed right down and I was finding it difficult to find work. My wife was working and earning more than me anyway, so she suggested that I take a year out with the kids and concentrate on doing something with my writing. She gave me a year to get something published, and I’m here talking to you so something must’ve worked.

15. What is your process for writing? Do you have a voice in your head?

No voices, that’d be worrying. Seriously though, I just sit and write. I don’t write notes and I don’t really plan anything before I sit down. All my stories begin with a great first line or a title and I run with it from there. Wherever it ends up is where it ends up, and I’m as surprised by the twists and turns as the reader. I guess this is why it takes me so damned long to write anything. I write all first drafts longhand, and each draft can run into hundreds of handwritten pages. It takes time, but it means that typing it up becomes the first edit run and I can weed out errors and polish it up as I type. This saves time. After that, it’s a case of working with Patti (editor, Patti Geesey) to eradicate typos and other errors, weeding out the unnecessary stuff and honing it. I might go back over it three or four times to make sure that it’s as perfect as it can be. It’s time consuming, and I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but the outcomes are usually worth the hassle.

16. Is there a book you want to make a sequel to you haven’t yet?

Yes! People have often asked about a sequel to Poor Jeffrey. Often, they want to know what happened to Jade and the circle of ghosts… which is cool, I wanna know too! I’ve started work on things that could exist in that world, but never finished them because they just weren’t good enough. One day I’m sure that I will revisit that story, but it was a very spontaneous one that came out of left field and I think it’s difficult to catch lightning in a bottle. Jade will call one day, and I’m sure she’ll have lots of stories to tell regarding herself and her friends. I can’t wait for that moment. You can connect with Paul Flewitt here:

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Flewitt/e/B00FG34L7O/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1493531654&sr=8-1

@PaulFlewittJEA

https://www.facebook.com/Paul-Flewitt-Author-of-Dark-Fiction-352745188170046/

  Some of Paul Flewitt’s books: 

  Getting even more personal with Paul Flewitt For those of you that don't know Paul Flewitt you are missing out on a great friend and an awesome writer.