My books have a sitcom-drama element to them. If the reader only likes a traditional book format, my books might feel different at first. However, once they get into character and find the flow of the book, they can’t put it down.

Golden November – 15 August 2021

The Back Flap

The Characters of Milestoneville is the new action-packed book series by Golden November. The two characters own an investigation service that specializes in tracking down missing valuable books; they are book hunters, to say the least. Reading this book is like watching an action-drama movie.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Characters of Milestoneville is the first book in this book series. It’s based on the first two characters who appeared on page one of the book: No Main Character: The Collector’s Edition. I thought their story was intriguing, and I needed a complete book series to continue telling it. The Characters of Milestoneville is about two guys who specialize in recovering missing valuable books; they are book hunters, to say the least. This book and the entire book series have many twists and turns. The characters are interesting, and the storyline moves at a fast and thrilling pace. It’s an action-drama book with many laugh-out-loud moments.

When did you start writing the book?

There are four books in The Characters of Milestoneville book series. All the books are published and available. I am working on writing the 5th book in the series.

Where did you get the idea from?

It is from the idea to write a book series around two characters that I found interesting. All my books have a television series type feel to them. I visualize writing a book like the production of a movie. I wanted this book series to have an action-drama movie feel to it when read. I have no experience working in the entertainment industry; it’s only a part process when I write. Each of the characters in all of my books is well developed. The reader knows who the characters are and has a feel for their personality types.  Every book I have written starts with a cold opening. The reader quickly can grasp the story and follow each character’s path. The idea of this book series was to give the reader an in-depth insight into each character’s inner core in a unique way that plays out during the storylines.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I never struggled with having words, storylines, or word count. My struggles happened when I was trying to define my writing style. Should I be an action, drama, or comedy writer? That was a struggle to figure out. I enjoy writing witty-action scenes and laugh-out-loud well-timed comedic moments that have a dramatic twist. I transfer my acting energy into each character when writing.  There are multiple characters in all my books. It requires quickly getting in and out of character roles. All my books are in the first-person narrative, similar to a screenplay. It can be draining at times during the writing process. Some of the scenes in my books I think of would require a movie set to pull off. When writing action scenes, I must feel comfortable with all aspects of the storyline. My storylines are never uncomfortable to read, over the edge. Only the thrill rides in my storylines are over the edge. The struggles in defining my writing style caused me to stay true to my comfortability in telling made-up fiction stories that come from nothing. I keep my writing style entertaining.

What came easily?

Storylines, and developing characters.

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

The characters in all my books are 100% fictional. They are based on no one, no similar stories or events. My number one goal in writing a fiction book is to be original.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’m influenced by my own books and writings.

Do you have a target reader?

All my books are original, and many readers would find them intriguing page-tuners. The readers of my books are both men and women. The reader likes action-thrillers, laugh-out-loud comedy, interesting characters, and strong female characters. My books have a sitcom-drama element to them. If the reader only likes a traditional book format, my books might feel different at first. However, once they get into character and find the flow of the book, they can’t put it down.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Yes, I have a writing process. I make it up out of my own writing experiences. The answers to this question make the most sense to me. I have reached many levels of my own personal writing. I always want to push writing to my own next level. I set a personal challenge when I write a book. One challenge in the Characters of Milestoneville was to write a scene about rappelling down a waterfall. I wanted it to feel real. One of my favorite challenges is in the book No Main Character: Collector’s Edition. In Chapter one ( The entire sample read) I set the challenge to write a music award show. I wanted the reader to feel like they were attending a music award show. I have never read this book. The reason is, I can’t make it through chapter one without having a non-stop laughing attack and then feeling like I walked out of a rock concert. One day, I will make it past chapter one. After I set the writing challenge, I view writing a book like it’s a movie set, I’m not from the entertainment industry. The characters are the actors; I play every role. I’m also the director; I plan out every scene and how the characters will interact in the scene. My books are not traditional, to say the least. There is a lot of page design and layout, formatting, and editing to be done. Even though there are plenty of pictures in the books, they are not needed to feel the story. I wanted the books to have more of a movie effect for the reader to enjoy. I make many decisions while writing a book. I’m able to stay focused and write hour-upon-hours-upon-days-upon-hours-upon-days. I’m never lost for a storyline or words. Every character in the books must feel recognizable within the story and stay true to their character’s personalities and attributes. Writing breaks are extremely important to me. Making storyline decisions throughout the book is also important. I handle every aspect of writing a book by myself. The editing process can take days. My favorite part of writing a book is the level of focus I reach during the process.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I have reached many levels of writing; I have some notes, maybe an idea or story direction I will jot down. I don’t constrict my writing within frames of a format. I see a book page like it’s a blank canvas and the words are the paint. Finding character names are notes I used to take. I came up with the character name Click Clack when I was clicking a pen, thinking about the character’s name. The name Asterick came to me when I was looking at the asterisk key on my laptop while thinking of a character’s name. I changed one letter and came up with Asterick

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

This is not my first go around being on the, writing a book roller-coaster. I found if you edit as you write, you will save days of editing later on. It’s also okay to adjust a sentence or story at any time while writing. When I take a writing break, I think about book direction. I also journal all obstacles that happened during the writing time. Writing obstacles pop up all the time. I stop, take a long break, think about it and overcome it.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I’m a one-person show, I do it all.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I actually write music when I write. Chapter one of No Main Character: Collector’s Edition feels like a rock concert.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No, I’m open to talking to a literary agent; they can contact me if they like. I would like an agent.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I never desired to be writer. It just happened one day.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I do my own covers.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Book marketing is an interesting topic. I have opinions about it, but opinions mean nothing when it comes to book marketing. To continue this answer it would turn into an essay on why I can’t figure out book marketing.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Find your writing style. I could write a book on how to write a book, but that’s not the type of books I write. Question-and-answer session is needed for a new writer. Master what you don’t know. My advice for a first book is to make sure you want it to be your first book. You will have obstacles; think about, what is the right answer? I got bored with writing third-person narratives. That’s why my books are not traditional. Don’t take my advice from me on traditional book formatting. I couldn’t write (he said, she said, she walked, the blue car pulled up fast.) I just can’t do that. My best advice besides the willpower and level of focus it takes to write a book; would be character development and figuring out storylines.

About You

What are you working on now?

Book five of The Characters of Milestoneville.

End of Interview:

For more from Golden November, visit his website.

Get your copy of The Characters of Milestone from Amazon US or Amazon UK.