Author DS Johnson-Mills is drawing from personal experience for her debut novel. I recently spoke with her about Choosing Me.
Your novel, Choosing Me, delves into complex family dynamics. Can you share some insights into the inspiration behind the characters and their relationships?
I drew from personal experience. Like Dylan, I was raised by my grandmother, and my mother left when we were quite young. My sister was left in the hospital, so lots to pull from the archives. When I had to write about Dylan and her family, Grams, her sister Kizzy, and her father, Brandon. The scenes are always done in one sitting. It has never been a case of writer’s block. The words pour onto the page.
The book explores themes of sexuality and intimacy. How do these themes contribute to the characters’ growth and interactions?
I needed something very powerful to draw her out. To strip away all the controls and neurotic behaviour. Her strict bedtime, her obsessive compulsion to be clean. I imagine that when two people connect on a deeper level—where they’re souls collide—it makes for an explosive sexual chemistry.
The novel addresses jealousy and rivalry between sisters. How do you approach portraying these emotions authentically within the context of the story?
I understand the dynamic between the sisters. They are a product of a broken home. Dylan and Kizzy love each other. They are best friends, but these girls cannot find peace because the thing between them is too much. Dylan resents Kizzy because of their mother, but on the other hand she goes along with the rest of the family and indulges her sister. All trying to make up for the way in which Kizzy was left and never dealing with the fact that Dylan was left too.
How has living in Essex provided inspiration for your debut novel Choosing Me?
The Essex influence—moving to a rural location was the driver to finding my creative flow. Most of my plots were forged while out on a nature walk. In part one of my debut novel, Markus and Dylan start their relationship in Essex, in her tiny apartment before he whisks her off to his London penthouse.
The title suggests this is book one. Was this the plan when writing your book, and what should we expect from book two?
The books were written as a series. I found that once one story reached its pinnacle then I wanted to know what happened next, and I was also curious about the other characters that I created and fell in love with along the way. Book two follows on from the cataclysmic bombshell when Markus’ ex returns to reveal her secret. This plan she had hatched to entrap him, it’s a brilliantly laid plan because it plays on Dylan’s own emotional pain that she has carried around since childhood. Markus himself is struggling mostly with the betrayal, but of course there is his feelings for his ex. There is no way that you can spend over a decade of your life with someone and not feel anything when the relationship comes to a close. Book two delves into that transition where he closes the door to his past and seeks to embrace a future with Dylan.
What was your incentive to include a gay character, Toby, in Choosing Me? Can you provide some insight into this and the role Toby plays within the novel?
Dylan and Toby are kindred spirits. They connect and forge a bond that is cemented in the one thing they have in common. They are both fiercely loyal. Finally, he can be himself. Dylan comes out of her shell. Throughout the series, Dylan and Toby will have many challenges that will threaten to break them, but ultimately their love for each other will never waver. The journey will lead Toby to embracing his true self and finding his life partner along the way.
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D.S. Johnson-Mills, a female author originating from the tropical Island of Montserrat, B.W.I, effortlessly breathes life into her passion for storytelling. Sparked by an encounter with a captivating stranger, she skillfully crafted vibrant characters and engaging storylines in her debut romance novel, Choosing Me.
Presently living in Essex, UK with her family, Johnson-Mills commits herself to daily writing, nurturing her creativity. Drawing from her love of English and her Caribbean heritage, she welcomes readers into a world of relatable characters, genuine friendships, and compelling narratives. Choosing Me signifies the start of her storytelling journey, promising more tales to come.