By Valory Schoenecker/Murphy News Service
As author Jim Miles sought the perfect words to describe the theme of his recently published novel “Hero,” his steady murmur consistently surrounded the concept of “looking out for others.”
Miles, a 1995 graduate of Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, framed pieces of his novel around his experiences while growing up in the Minneapolis suburb. An example: The high school attended by his main character is designed to mirror the halls of Armstrong.
Miles said one of the scenes in his book takes place at Target Field, which makes Minnesota middle school-aged readers excited to be able to relate to the main character.
Colton Silver is Miles’ superhero-inspired protagonist who finds a pendant in the mail that gives him the strength of 10 men. But these powers did not come from some freak accident as with other superhero stories.
Miles said he used his spirituality to create a superhero who received his powers from God.
- ‘The number one thing is that you have to actually write it. It’s hard work and it’s lonely work because you’re writing by yourself.’ — Jim Miles, author of ‘Hero’.
The pendant gives Colton Silver the power to see the pain in people and the ability to reach out and help them.
The book’s theme resonates around “looking at the people around you and noticing those who get lost in the corner and helping out when you can,” Miles said.
Miles, 37, graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul earning a double major in English education and the Bible, and recently earned his MBA from Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
“I want my book to be an expression of what I believe but also to entertain. I don’t want to preach or insult their intelligence,” Miles said regarding his target audience, ages 10-14.
Miles said he has written countless pieces throughout his career, but added that, as a writer, one must go through many experiences before being ready to write something worthy of publishing.
“The number one thing is that you have to actually write it. It’s hard work and it’s lonely work because you’re writing by yourself,” Miles said.
He added that, with digital media, it’s easy to get work out there, but it’s difficult to get people to actually look at it.
So Miles developed his own publishing company, Wrobel Street Books, to publish and promote his novel. His goal was to find a new publishing model in which writers can get a higher profit share. Miles said he used skills learned while getting his MBA to develop what he considers a solid marketing plan.
Miles is a fan of comic book movies such as “Spider-Man” and “The Green Lantern” when it comes to finding inspiration, but he said he wanted to create a character who could be written about in print form and be dynamic enough to help pinpoint deeper themes applicable to the real world.
Miles grew up in the Crystal and Robbinsdale area and lives in Eden Prairie. After teaching English for nine years, Miles worked as the head of drama ministry for seven years at the Praise Christian Center in Crystal, where he said he grew passionate about relating to the young adult age group.
“Hero” can be purchased online for Amazon Kindle or for the Barnes and Noble Nook.
Reporter Valory Schoenecker is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.