The Fire Inside Us: Ava Miles on Love, Resilience, and Finding Your Soulmate

Ava Miles, international bestselling author, shares her journey of love, resilience, and storytelling brilliance with Novelist Post.

From Life Coach to International Bestselling Author

Ava Miles discusses reinvention, resilience, and human connection, illuminating how her diverse life experiences shape her unforgettable characters, inclusive storytelling, and transformative books that inspire readers around the globe.

A va Miles is much more than an International Bestselling Author; she is a beacon of inspiration. Known for her transformative works in both fiction and non-fiction, Ava has captivated millions of readers across the globe with her stories of love, resilience, and personal growth. With accolades from prestigious outlets like USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and People Magazine, her work has been celebrated as some of the finest in contemporary literature. But perhaps the most poignant praise comes directly from her readers, who cherish her unforgettable characters and deeply moving narratives.

Ava’s impressive career spans far beyond the pages of her books. From her beginnings as a chef to her impactful work as a conflict expert in warzones, her life has been a testament to reinvention and hope. Her diverse journey—blending the roles of a life coach, energy healer, artist, and now author—has shaped her unique storytelling, where deep emotional truths and undeniable joy meet. Recently, her time living in Ireland and France has brought a rich tapestry of settings and cultures to her literary world.

In this exclusive interview, Ava shares a glimpse into her creative process, her exploration of universal themes like transformation and resilience, and the wisdom she’s gained from life’s challenges. Get ready to be inspired by an author whose stories are not just told but lived—an artist who nurtures both readers and characters with profound care, much like tending a thriving garden. Ava Miles’ words promise to stay with you long after you finish reading—just like her unforgettable books.

Highlights

• How Ava Miles’ global life experiences shape her unique storytelling
• The transformative power of love, resilience, and personal growth in her books
• Behind-the-scenes of The Paris Roommates and her unexpected inspiration from Ireland
• Gardening as a metaphor for character growth in fiction
• Ava’s heartfelt advice to aspiring writers: “Follow your heart and believe in your journey.”
• The role of setting, trauma, and found families in shaping unforgettable characters

Ava Miles elegantly crafts stories of love, resilience, and joy, captivating readers with her authentic, heartfelt, and transformative narratives.

Your stories often center on reinvention and personal transformation. If you were to compare character growth in your books to a biological process—like metamorphosis or cellular regeneration—what would it be and why?

I’ve always loved the chrysalis of a butterfly metaphor. Being suspended in silk to transform sounds comforting and elevated. I also love that depending on which butterfly species, the cocoon might be visible, hidden, or buried, which really speaks to the setting and circumstances where characters thrive in their growth.

“Follow your heart.
Believe in yourself and your books,
and enjoy the journey.”
– Miles

In biology, ecosystems rely on balance and interconnection. Do you think your characters and found families form a kind of living “ecosystem,” and how do you nurture that balance when writing?

When I was doing my Masters in Conflict Resolution and Peace studies, I was the only American in the house. Everyone came with a different language and set of norms. Living with people creates mutual understanding, but it also shows us where we differ with others. I really explore this balance in The Paris Roommates series where everyone is so radically different. Shared values, communication, respect, and caring create the balance and make for wonderful found family plotlines.

“Learning how to manage
your past is a key to pursuing dreams.”
– Miles

Biology teaches us about adaptation in challenging environments. How do your characters—such as Madison in The Paris Roommates—adapt to emotional adversity, and what does that reveal about human resilience?

In my old career of rebuilding war zones, we talked a lot about resilience from tragedy. Poverty. Abuse. Danger even. They create a lens for a person; for how one sees the world as much as what to expect and how to overcome the norm. Growing up in difficult circumstances such as Madison in a tough Miami neighborhood where she had to work for every opportunity gave her a hunger and determination for change. She has a dream of becoming a Michelin-starred chef. She knows how to work hard and pursue it. Learning how to manage “your past” is a key to pursuing dreams, and one that shows the resilience of human beings as much as fictional characters.

“Love may be a spark,
but it’s the deeper understanding
that creates a happily ever after.”
– Miles

Some scientists describe love as a “chemical reaction.” In your romance novels, how do you strike a balance between portraying love as both magical and grounded in real human emotion?

Chemistry might not be a choice—something I loved exploring with my recent scientist heroine in THE HOCKEY EXPERIMENT—but a happily ever after certainly is. I have a lot of fated mates’ stories because I believe a spark has to be there alongside a deeper understanding of the heart. Maybe it’s having lived in Ireland, but when someone ignites the fire inside of us, we need to pay attention. That might be your soulmate; plus, it makes great romance.

Given your background as a conflict expert and healer, how do you approach writing about trauma or heartache in a way that allows characters not just to survive but to grow stronger, much like organisms recovering after stress?

Since I was a child, I was exposed to things that really can wound you and break your heart. I’ve had PTSD from war zones; worked in hospice and had more than one deathbed confession; and I listen when people tell me their life stories. Having healed myself and now helping others, I have a firsthand sense of the struggles and the triumphs. I’m also not scared to delve in deep, and it’s something my readers love. My characters feel relatable because they are like all of us. I know real life stories of people who overcome, and that feeds into any character I create.

As someone who loves gardening, do you see parallels between tending plants and “growing” fictional characters from seed into their fullest selves?

I loved exploring this metaphor in THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN about an abused wife staring over, and it’s a great launching point for any story. When I have that first spark of a character, I know I’m going on a journey to fully understand them, watch them grow, and go after what they want. I need to discover the conditions that will best serve their growth. On the flip side, I love exploring what makes them wilt or drop their proverbial leaves. Some even need to be denied something in order to flourish, like an amaryllis going into the dark in order to bloom. Every good character has those elements, and finding the right mix is what makes for great character arcs.

If you could weave a biological metaphor or theme into one of your upcoming novels (perhaps related to love, resilience, or healing), what might it look like?

I’d use the dandelion. Many people see it as a troublesome weed, but it’s actually one of the most nutrient-rich plants out there. All parts are excellent for promoting liver health, fighting inflammation, and managing blood sugar levels. It’s an incredibly resilient and healing plant, a perfect metaphor for not judging something without deeper examination and perhaps even seeing it in a new light and letting it give to us.

Neuroscience tells us humans are wired for story. Do you consciously think about the “biology of storytelling” when you write—how narrative impacts a reader’s brain and emotions?

Absolutely. There is a reason people love to gather around the proverbial fire to hear a story. They like to be tantalized by far-off settings or intriguing plots. They want to believe in the journey and the people involved. Since I write feel good stories, it’s critical to include humor and relatable moments with honesty as much as triumph. When the characters fall in love, I want people to be cheering. When they get hurt, I want them to reach for that tissue. And I want them so excited for these unforgettable characters that they can’t wait to tell their friends or discuss the story.

Having lived in the U.S., Ireland, and now France, do you feel that different landscapes—like natural habitats—shape your characters differently, much like environments influence species in evolution?

Different landscapes highlight our wants, tendencies, and sometimes our fragility. I love the fish out of water theme, having experienced it myself living and working overseas. But not everyone feels hapless. Some characters bend the settings to them while others change or assimilate; that’s the awesome thing about picking a setting. It’s a deeply intentional choice for me, and I’m happy to say I’ve had readers want to move to Ireland or visit France. Even better, I’ve had people reexamine what they thought they knew. That’s the best compliment of all.

Advice to Aspiring Writers
“Follow your heart. Believe in yourself and your books,
write the next one, and enjoy the journey!”
– Miles

Reflecting on your journey—from chef, conflict expert, healer, to internationally bestselling author—what advice would you give to new authors trying to find their authentic voice, and how can they balance vulnerability, craft, and courage in their storytelling?

Follow your heart. I was just asked this question this morning actually, and that’s what I told her. I added believe in yourself and your books, share it with others, and then write the next one. Enjoy the journey! You have everything you need to be all you can be.

Editor’s Note

Ava Miles’ The Paris Roommates is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and hope. Thea’s journey from a mundane life to rediscovering her dreams in the magical streets of Paris is both inspiring and charming. The dynamic between Thea and her found family tugs at the heartstrings, while the unexpected romance adds a delicious twist. Perfectly written, this book brims with warmth and self-discovery. A captivating start to a promising series!