We recognise it is a terrible tease to offer up just 750 words of a story. For the majority of our writers, this is their first publishing adventure though certainly not their first toe dipping into the wonderful world of fiction writing. Many of the writers here have considerable back catalogues of stories.

To support our writers and to ease your frustration – each Sunday we will be giving you a chance to read a full length piece of writing from the featured author of the week. This week Jodi shares with everyone, one of her favourite pieces Demon Lover.

Demon Lover is one of those wonderful stories gifted from the Universe, which just flows through you and onto the page.  It arrived fully formed in a dream and was “downloaded” in less than two hours at the computer.  Spawned from an extract of the fairy tale “The Red Shoes” it is about  how far a person will go once they’ve breached their own boundaries.  Once you start dancing with the red shoes on your feet it is impossible to stop.

It was the first story I ever sold which keeps it dear to me heart. I hope you enjoy ~ Jodi.

This piece is currently under an electronic publishing contract and will divert to an outside site when you hit Read On.

Demon Lover

I stand on the threshold looking in.  My senses warn me to turn back now and go back to what I know. The embittered voice of experience weighs in, prompting me to remember my decision to give up love.  It reminds me that love is fool’s gold and I can rise above it – I will be happier living without it.  As I stand in the doorway, the smoke tendrils willing me into their wispy grasp, the maiden indulgent voice within says, ‘live in the moment without expectation’. I hesitate, the drum beat of my heart shifting tempo, then step inside. The door shuts behind me.

My friend told me it was a party but this seems more like a bohemian talk-fest of ideas and jazz.  Everyone has a wine glass or cigarette in their hand; some manage both in the same hand or leave the cigarette to hang from between their rapidly moving lips.  I cough, unused to the smoke and lack of fresh air.  The room feels claustrophobic but I don’t panic.  My friend has said that if I’m giving up love I need to take up hedonism – I need to become self-indulgent and pleasure-seeking without regret.  My friend reminded me I will only have to worry about myself when I turn my back on love. So he brought me here. Read On