Hi readers, it’s been a while! I’ve been pretty busy sorting out the official release of The Signs Are Coming which is in JUST ELEVEN DAYS TIME! However, I was aware I haven’t done a blog in a while and this one I’ve wanted to do for some time.

If you recall back when I was publishing The Luke Bright Series, I put Luke through The Proust Questionnaire, quite a few times! If you haven’t heard about it before, it’s a questionnaire that French writer Michael Proust created it to delve into the deepest parts of an individual’s personality. It’s great to help people understand more about characters and in fact yourself as well. So, I thought I’d put Dark and Paul through it so you get a bit more insight into their personalities and what to expect in The Signs Are Coming.

So, here are their answers below. And just a warning, there is some potty language – more of which you’ll find in The Signs Are Coming!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Dark: Paul and I exploring and living in London by ourselves forever. Don’t need anyone or anything else.

Paul: It’s hard to feel properly happy now I’m without my family, but living with Dark is still fun. Though I’d love a proper home, a proper life…I don’t want to live on the streets forever.

What is your greatest fear?

Dark: Not being able to switch off my feelings. Also I f*cking hate rats.

Paul: Being alone and losing anyone else I love. And I suppose life never changing from what it is now.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Dark: I’d deplore myself if I was ever unable to switch off my feelings. But like that’s ever gonna happen.

Paul: I’m a burden, I wish I was stronger and more capable, like Dark is. I’m so useless…

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Dark: All of them. All the traits. I deplore people full stop. Well, except Paul.

Paul: How they treat homeless people, it’s not fair how mean people are to us just because we live on the streets.

Which living person do you most admire?

Dark: No one. Don’t admire anyone. The human race is f*cking stupid.

Paul: Dark – he’s my absolute hero. No one has been there for me as much as he has, even though he hates people. I’m really lucky to have found him.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Dark: Can’t be extravagant on the streets, but probably fast and cheap food.

Paul: Cigarettes and cider – definitely spend too much on them!

What is your current state of mind? (start of the book)

Dark: Perfectly in control of my emotions, and I f*cking love that.

Paul: Bit bored really. Wish something interesting would happen in our lives.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Dark: Compassion. Caring only hurts you in the long run.

Paul: Well, Dark says trusting people is bad and he’s probably right, even if he is a massive pessimist. Personally, I don’t see how virtues can be a bad thing.

On what occasion do you lie?

Dark: When I’m pretending to be nice to people at the homeless centre. Gotta put it on.

Paul: Pranking is kinda like lying and I love pranking Dark. So easy to wind him up.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Dark: Don’t care about that.

Paul: Wouldn’t mind being a bit taller and not so skinny. Might help me to look a bit intimidating which you apparently need to be on the streets.

Which living person do you most despise?

Dark: Only one?

Paul: My mam for walking out on me and my dad. This is all her fault…but I do love her even though I hate what she did.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Dark: Well, there’s only one man I can tolerate and that’s Paul. And he always makes me laugh, so it’d be that.

Paul: Kindness, but I’d take that from any gender.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Dark: I don’t like people, no matter what gender they are.

Paul: Probably a sense of humour, but I’ve not been around too many women except family.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Dark: Well, it begins with an F and ends with a CK.

Paul: Probably all of them. Apparently I talk a lot. Definitely an Irish thing!

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Dark: ………………………..no comment.

Paul: Well, I’d like a relationship someday with someone, so hopefully I meet that person soon.

When and where were you happiest?

Dark: I don’t do happy, but the day I met Paul stands out. We’ve had some great times.

Paul: I’ve got so many happy family memories but they’re all ruined now. Dark and I have had some fun times together too this last year.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Dark: Switching off my emotions for good. Automatically so I know I’ll never lapse.

Paul: I’d love a talent, any talent. Painting, singing, sport, cooking. There’s so much I’d love to do with my life.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Dark: Nothing. I made myself a new identity when my parents died, so I’m exactly who I want to be.

Paul: I’d make myself stronger emotionally. More like Dark. I want to forget everything I’ve been through, but I can’t. I dunno how he does it so easily. Should probably change my name too. Dark’s always teasing me about how lame ‘Paul Barley’ sounds.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Dark: Surviving on the streets for two years.

Paul: I’ve played some amazing pranks on Dark this last year. Him sticking with me despite all of those is what I’d call an achievement!

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Dark: I ain’t coming back if I can help it. One existence is more than enough.

Paul: Someone rich and famous for sure.

Where would you most like to live?

Dark: The streets of London are fine for me.

Paul: In a proper home…just not on the streets. I do like being in London. Just not on the streets of London.

What is your most treasured possession?

Dark: Whatever’s in my bag. That’s all I need and all I have for survival.

Paul: My lighter – what would I do without that?!

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Dark: Been there, done that, over it.

Paul: Those first few hours when my dad died and I was completely alone on the streets.

What is your favourite occupation?

Dark: None of them. Everyone pretends they want a job but they always complain about them. What’s the point? Just do what I do and stretch out your money and steal sh*t if you need to.

Paul: I’ve never thought about it before. I’d love to be famous or have a job with lots of money without having to put in too much effort. Or work in a pub so I can drink cider all day!

What is your most marked characteristic?

Dark: Not giving a f*ck.

Paul: I’m quite talkative.

What do you most value in your friends?

Dark: Paul’s my only friend and I value everything about him. Except he needs to stop being so emotional, but we’ll get there.

Paul: I value Dark’s unique way of looking at the world and how much he looks after me. I wish I could return the favour.

Who are your favourite writers?

Dark: I’ve never liked reading.

Paul: We read a lot in school but I don’t have a particular one.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Dark: The Grinch who stole Christmas. I hate Christmas.

Paul: Sherlock Holmes. I love mysteries!

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Dark: Is there anyone who hated being around people as much as I do? If so, them.

Paul: Finn MacCool, even if he is a legend. Pretending to be a baby, classic! Guess that could make Dark Oona!

Who are your heroes in real life?

Dark: Don’t have any.

Paul: Dark. He’s my hero.

What are your favourite names?

Dark: This one. Dark. That’s why I chose it.

Paul: I’m still thinking abot that. Dark wants me to change my name but I can’t think of a good one, because apparently ‘Paul Barely’ isn’t bad-add enough!

What is it that you most dislike?

Dark: People. Feelings. Noise. Want me to continue?

Paul: Those moments when I remember my old life and can’t get them out of my head.

What is your greatest regret?

Dark: Not leaving home sooner.

Paul: Not appreciating my family when I still had both my parents.

How would you like to die?

Dark: Quietly, in my sleep.

Paul: I don’t want to die, but…painlessly if I have to?

What is your motto?

Dark: I wouldn’t call it a motto, but I always tell Paul ‘F*ck the rest of the world, you’ve always got me.’

Paul: Er…I need a smoke?

I hope those responses gave you a better insight into these two characters, what does and doesn’t matter to them and the challenges they’re going to face. And, with only ten days left to go, you’ll get to find out their story sooner rather than later!

The Signs Are Coming will be released on 6th September 2021, but e-copies are available to pre-order NOW! Please follow me on my blog and social media links. Thank you once again for taking the time to read this blog post.

N.A.K.