“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be…” ― Kurt Vonnegut

Milan Gotcher was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Falls Church, Virginia. He graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in English, with a concentration in Myths and Folklore, and from Louisiana State University of Shreveport with an M.Ed. in reading and literacy.

He then worked as a substitute teacher for two years before moving into administrative roles as a Government Contractor. He is currently employed as a Management Analyst for the Department of Homeland Security, CISA.

Away from his day job, Milan has been an aspiring writer for some time. He has just completed his first novel, which follows the central character, Damian Frost. The young man has always felt like a wayward soul and has been searching for purpose and a sense of belonging.

His first novel, When Fortune Knocks, debuted in late November 2024 and is now available on multiple websites, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Today, Milan lives in Front Royal, Virginia, with his wife, their two dogs, and one cat. In his free time, he enjoys writing, brewing his own beer, coaching high school football, and driving around the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

Milan fully intends to continue writing more books that people can relate to and already has several other novels in various stages of completion, one of which is a sequel to his first.

You can contact or connect with Milan Gotcher at:

Twitter: @CoachG_GotEm

Email: milangotcher @ gmail.com

Where are you from?

I was born in Washington, DC, raised in Falls Church, VA, and currently live in Front Royal, VA

Why do you write? 

Growing up, I loved writing and the arts. However, it wasn’t until college that I began taking writing seriously and joined my university’s newspaper. I stopped writing for a time, then picked it back up and published my first novel last November.

What do you write about? 

I love what I call “Small Stories”—narratives about relatable events in people’s lives that often go unnoticed because they don’t impact the world as a whole. I think people have become accustomed to reading stories where the world is at stake or where some supernatural event needs to be stopped. They overlook the average person and how their small accomplishments can be world-changing, even if no one notices.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I would say I do. I use a lot of descriptions regarding the world or areas of my stories, and I feel that my dialogue is realistic and natural flow.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

Time is a big one. I work as a government contractor, and depending on the state of the world, I can be fairly busy. I took a break from writing after graduating from college, and that was mainly to grind for money and earn references for full-time jobs.

What’s the most memorable thing a reader asked/said about your work?

Recently, Jeremy Page, a writer in the UK, wrote to me and said that he really liked the quality of my work. It was encouraging to hear that from someone who was published traditionally.

How long have you been writing?

Like I said, I’ve written on and off for some time now, but I’ve taken it more seriously in the last 5 years. Along with publishing my first novel, I’ve also participated in several short story and flash fiction contests in that time.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

I really felt like I had a story to tell shortly after deciding not to pursue a teaching role and focus on the government sphere. It was a hard decision, but how I got there was a large basis for my first novel.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I mostly write at night when my wife is asleep on the couch. It’s quiet, and for whatever reason, my mind goes crazy with story ideas.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I leave subtle humor throughout my writing, even on heavier topics.

How long does it take to write a book?

Well, my first novel took me four years to write (and rewrite), then another few years editing it myself and with the help of editors, and also shopping it around to publishers and literary agents. That being said, I’m more than halfway done with several novels I started in mid-2024, and I will be done with the first drafts by early this summer.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

Keep writing. It’s the best advice I’ve ever gotten. Also, enter short story competitions, especially free ones—a good way to tackle specific topics or different genres and flex your writing muscle.

What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

The middle is always a struggle for me. I come up with great concepts for a novel and complete beginnings and ends, but in the middle, I struggle with.

What does your family think of your writing? 

They love it. I didn’t tell them about it until I was getting ready to publish my first novel. But since learning about it they’ve been very supportive.

Do you see writing as a career?

Right now, no, it’s a hobby that brings some passive income, but who knows, one day, it might be. If I keep working at it, anything is possible.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

I just want to thank anyone who orders my novel. I hope they understand that each read and purchase isn’t about money for me; it brings me joy that others enjoy my work. Also, reviews go a long way, so please leave them (haha).

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I wrote for my high school newspaper, “The Jagwire”.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-fortune-knocks-milan-d-gotcher/1146610618?ean=9798218554460