This story has content that some readers may find distressing.
Under normal circumstances, a tale of a violent, animal abusing prick wouldn’t get far with me. But Alex Sinclair is not the usual writer; nor is Paraffin Lamp a usual story. Alex has the tremendous ability to bring forward the least appealing elements in a character and make them interesting and alive. It lies in his effortless mastery of the language and perfect ear for dialogue.
Q. You spent a long time developing this brilliant MC, did having to be in his mind affect you emotionally?
Q. He seems damned to be himself, which is worse (in my mind) than prison or even hell. And yet he doesn’t appear to care all that much. Do you believe that there is anything gentle in him that can be reached, or did that die a long long time ago–or maybe never existed at all?
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literally stories 
Thank you for the story, Alex. I hope people will have a look.
Leila
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Hi Leila / Alex,
This is one of my favourites on the site so great choice Leila and it’s a privilege to see this showcased once more!
Hugh
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Hello Literally and thank you for the rerun.
In answer to question one, no it didn’t bother me. I usually go to a dark place during writing, and the act of writing itself feels like a purging or out pouring of that energy. I always make sure to write characters I can see a piece of myself in and I think people shouldn’t divorce themselves from the fact that they could be one or two traumatic events away from being someone they never expected. It’s not for us to judge.
In answer to question two, I think he’s so thoroughly tortured he wouldn’t know or recognise kindness. I think he could be a writer or actor in another life.
There’s something poetic about him and he has a certain flair for the dramatic. He’s always gotten in his own way though and I think life hasn’t equipped him for happiness, although I will still try and treat him with compassion.
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