Cutting Words

by S.F.J. Painter

“You’re awake. Good. Wondering why you’re here? Stop whimpering. Well, dear boy, you’ve been my editor for many years. Sorry – was that too many words for you? Curious why you’re naked, tied to a chair, your skin a patchwork of ink and blood? You didn’t know I was in earshot. I heard everything: ‘Another bloated horror novel from the king of verbosity, every other word needs cutting’ Well, there they are—all 227,000 of my blood-sweated beauties etched into your flesh.”

The author leans in, scalpel glinting in the candlelight. “Let’s begin by cutting out some adjectives, shall we?”

S.F.J. Painter

Simon Painter lives in the UK with his lovely wife, cat and chickens. He’s a former actor, puppeteer and theatre director and has written or adapted over 20 professionally produced plays. Simon’s has been a mental health therapist for far too many years and is currently recovering from prostate cancer.