Talk:The Gentleman/@comment-7706473-20130407140039

Hmn. This is pretty good; is it your first story?

First thing's first; it's a matter of preference, but I wouldn't start with the disclaimer. Those in the know about the Gentleman will know you've based it off a real life phenomona (from what I heard, (s/)he has stopped visiting the grave of Poe, now, alas). And those that don't will be surprised and unnerved.

I like the fact that the story doesn't have any jump scares - just a lingering sense of grimy unpleasantness that builds up into the final reveal. It feels unescapable - the reader knows what's gonna happen way before the narrator does. And that's a good thing.

Have a blue blue hyacinth. I think that with practice and diligance, you've got the potential to write some generally spooky weird fiction. I'd give a rose instead, but...