There were parts of the book that were emotional for me because of my own past. I’m not ashamed to say that a few parts brought tears to my eyes as I was writing. 

Paul Flanagan – 18 April 2025

The Back Flap

Being called a Run Down means you’re street trash. You get kicked on, spit at and cut deep. You walk the sharp end of a blade and your only friend is fear and hunger.

Meet Grease, Holes and the Kid. Three Run Downs trapped in a roach infested trailer park who decide to make a run for it. Running isn’t easy when you live on the sharp end of a blade. The three friends manage to jump a train hauling cars and take off for Phoenix from Michigan. Along the way two runaway girls jump the train.

Five lost hearts form a bond and vow to take care of each other.

But the blade is sharp and unforgiving. Being a Run Down is for life. The stench of the streets, the fear of hunger, the pain of the blade is a constant enemy. When the Run Downs meet a kind pastor and his wife mercy steps in. At least it seems that way. The sharp end of the blade turns up and cuts deep.

Will the Run Downs find hope or end up being cut too deep to live to see a new day?

About the book

What is the book about?

The Run Downs is about three fourteen-year old-boys who are trapped in an abusive foster care system in the early 1970s. They’re forced to live in a filthy trailer park being taken care of by sleazy people who only want a state check for taking them in. They’re tagged as ‘Run Downs’ which is another term for a worthless piece of street trash. Run Downs are forced to fight, steal and bleed in order to stay alive.

After deciding to run away to Los Angeles from Michigan the Run Downs jump a train carrying cars. They break into a Station Wagon. A short time later two fourteen-year-old girls jump the train. The two girls are trying to escape the bloody hands of the ghetto. A bond is formed and a pact is made to always take care of each other.

When they reach Phoenix instead of Los Angeles they hit the streets. A kind pastor and his wife end up taking them in. Mercy is given but a sharp blade also arrives. Once a kid becomes Run Down he is always a Run Down. Escaping the blade turns into a difficult battle for the heart and spirit. Each Run Down has to start facing up to he has become in order to escape the dark shadows of the past.

‘The Run Downs’ is a (5) part book series at 80K words apiece. The series will follow the Run Downs into the early twenties.

When did you start writing the book?

I grew up rough and wanted to write a book that allowed me to reach back into my own past and write a book that I hope can help kids today who feel like Ron Downs escape their past and take the Hand of JESUS and find hope.

 How long did it take you to write it?

About a month. The words began flowing as soon as I began writing.

 Where did you get the idea from?

At first the book started off like The Outsiders in my mind but then began to take life on its own. Before long I was reaching back into my own past as the story developed.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes. There were parts of the book that were emotional for me because of my own past. I’m not ashamed to say that a few parts brought tears to my eyes as I was writing.

What came easily?

I work as a ghostwriter which can be difficult. I have to write in a style that my clients want. When I write for myself I’m able to write the way I want.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The characters are fictional.

Do you have a target reader for this book?

Yes. My target audience is readers ages 14-21.

How was writing this book different from what you’d experienced writing previous books?

I love to write clean comedy books, cozy mysteries and westerns. The Run Downs was different for me because it touched on a sharp blade that I walked in my own past. I’ve never done that before. Doing so made the book become very real.

What new things did you learn about writing, publishing, and/or yourself while writing and preparing this book for publication?

I always tell people you have to write for yourself. If you write with the intent of wanting to become rich or famous then you’ll fail. Books are not meant to be written just to fatten your pocket. Books are a treasure and meant to be shared from the heart. The book market is hard and competitive.

Publishers have different requirements and guidelines and so on. They force a book into a very ugly box. You have to write from your heart. Each time I publish a book I want to sell a million copies—but I always remind myself: If my book touched one person then that’s enough.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of The Run Downs: Book 1 – The Young Years from Barnes & Noble.