Welcome to our first interview for this month! We are with this talented author mikaelkrownmk, who penned the story, The House that Swallows Kids

Dark Fantasy Team:  Can you tell us a little bit about it and your Wattpad journey?

mikaelkrownmk: Well... the story is about four local kids who got trapped in an old house that wails and laughs, and their only way out was to play four enchanted mind games. It's filled with underground dark magic, cunning kids of the 90's, and out of the box tough games too big for a kid to play. You should check it out. :)

As regards my Wattpad journey... well I've only joined Wattpad for over a year now... so I really haven't been that long on the platform. Though as expected, when I first signed up for the app, I was an up-and-coming writer, though my writing skills were promising. The only thing I noticed that I kind of did wrong was to dive in and start writing without looking around the app. That didn't go well for me as my book got stuck at the reads a few of my friends gave it for months. I was so bothered about this so I went about Wattpad the right way for a solution.

Then I came across the book, Devil's Inc. by @lepalphreyman. I read the book, fell in love with the book and the author, and then chose her to be my mentor. She replied a few of my comments and messages and that's when I decided that at all cost, I have to improve my writing because I saw that I had the potential. Then that was when I discovered that there were writing manuals and guides and other important books to help improve ones writing. I blessed the authors who put up those books and I'm sure that I read over tens of them in a matter of months. I kept reading different writing manuals to the extent that the instructions already lived rent-free inside my head. And after that, when I took a break form reading those manuals, I picked up a few other books that interests me, and then I decided to put out a new book, to see if my readings paid off. And I think they did. :)

I took down the first book that got stuck at a certain reads because I saw what was wrong with it, and then put out a new one; The House that Swallows [Kids].

It took me only two months to fully draft it, and though I haven't sought a pro editor yet, I'm still editing my book till now... lol. And then, to the glory of God, and due to some other instructions I've been following on how to survive on Wattpad, the book is doing pretty well and I'm proud of what I've achieved so far, even though little, I'll get there someday. :) 

DF: What was your inspiration for your story?

M: This is easy! I'm Nigerian, and it's [kinda] tough to write about a strange man's land from where I'm from. So what gives me little insight on how to go about writing what I really love is movies. :)I've seen a lot of movies to last me my entire lifetime... lol. Mainly, American movies are my inspiration. I hope I go there someday so I'll get the feels of the environment first hand... lol.

My book, The House that Swallows Kids, can just be described as if Jumanji, and The House with a clock in its walls, had a baby. That baby would be my book. :)

DF: What was it like building a world around dark fantasy?

M: To me, it was easy to go about. Maybe it's because I prefer Horror or Paranormal to other cheesey genres. I love Comedy and Teen-Fiction though. (Just putting it out there...) Then when the inspirations have paved the way, I let my wild imagination lead me to writing the masterpiece of a lifetime. Boom! Lmao.

DF: Have you written in this genre before? What drew you to it?

M: Well, my new novella, The House that Swallows Kids is probably my first time writing dark fantasy. But asides that, I've still got more in store for everyone. Follow up, and stay close. :)And what drew me to this genre in the movies I'm so engrossed with. :)

DF: Can you tell us a little bit about your leading character(s)?

M: Sweet!First we have Alfred. He's the smartypant[s] who has eyes for the cute British girl next door. His sarcasm if top notch and his sometimes a bit too much of a nerd.

Then there's Clifford, a geeky young detective, with lots of cunning tricks up his sleeves. He's cute and he'll obviously do whatever his told. What a kid.

And then we have Jordan. He's the designated jerk of the group. He's full of himself, daring too, and then I bet he'll fall into a deep coma if you get a kitten close enough to him.

Finally we have Claire. The boss lady and Alfred's crushee. She's a perfectionist, sassy and she's got more comebacks than the internet itself.You should probably check out my book and embark on an adventure with them and other mind blowing characters and surreal happenings. :)

DF: What are some things that you find more interesting to write in dark fantasy than other genres?

M: Well, since I feel it's more convenient to write, I like bringing the old, dark and the long-forgotten to the 21st century. Like there being a real life vampire working as an accountant in New York. Or a demon incarnate born into the house of some unbelievers. I just prefer bringing dark magic and paranormal activities to the world we live in today. I believe that's kind of fun. :)

DF: What are some books that influenced your writing and maybe yourself as a writer?

M: Well, I don't really read paperbacks, and my reading culture has been quite brushed up because of Wattpad. And so the few books that influenced my writing can be found here. Books like Devil's Inc. and Halo. Corp. Cupid's Match, Hide and Seek, A pirate in time, Sex and Death in Skeleton City and others were big influences on my writing.

DF: What are three magic items you would have with you on a deserted island?

M: Ouuu.A magic Lamp...A magical pet, probably a monkey :)And then a Flying Carpet.

P.s my new name would probably be... Aladdin. LolI bet with these, I'll be out of the desert in no time. :)

DF: What are some goals you look to accomplish in the future? Whether it's on Wattpad or in general?

M: My ultimate goal here on Wattpad, is to win a Wattys and get over a millon reads on my book! Also to Inspire up and coming writers like the professional writers inspired me. So help me God, Amen.

Thank you so much, mikaelkrownmk, for being with us and agreeing to our interview. Check out the novella, House that Swallows Kids to support our author!

- The Dark Fantasy Team