Dorothy McFalls on Crafting Compelling Narratives Across Genres
Dorothy McFalls draws on her urban planning background to create rich settings and relatable characters, balancing storytelling across genres. Her works explore themes of love, courage, and personal growth.
Dorothy McFalls’ experiences in government and urban planning have significantly influenced her writing style and the themes she explores in her fiction. Her work as an urban planner in South Carolina exposed her to the unique histories and personalities of small towns, which she incorporates into her stories. This is evident in her Beloved Bookroom Mystery series, where the setting of Cypress in the Lowcountry plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their choices.
When writing in different genres, Dorothy focuses on storytelling and ensuring that the narrative meets readers’ expectations for that genre. Whether it’s a romance, adventure, or mystery, she aims to keep readers engaged and entertained by her characters.
In “The Marriage List,” the character of Viscount Radford Evers was inspired by Dorothy’s own appreciation for order and lists. His journey from a man with strict requirements to someone who falls for May Sheffers reflects the unpredictability and excitement that love can bring, challenging him to step outside his comfort zone.
Dorothy crafts characters and emotions that resonate with readers by drawing on personal experiences and relatable challenges. In “The Marriage List,” May’s journey from being overlooked to finding courage and acceptance is a theme many readers can connect with.
In “The Last Moonlight Dragon,” Dorothy balances romance and fantasy by focusing on the relationship between the slave and general as the core plot, appealing to romance readers who enjoy epic storylines. The dynamics between Celestina and General Soren Kitmun are developed through their contrasting experiences and personalities, with Celestina’s innocence and Soren’s battle-hardened nature creating a compelling relationship that evolves throughout the series.
“Dorothy McFalls masterfully blends diverse genres, creating captivating stories with rich characters and settings that resonate deeply with readers.“
– EDITOR, READER’S HOUSE
What specific experiences from your time in government and urban planning have influenced your writing style and the themes you explore in your fiction?
While working as an urban planner for a regional planning organization in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, I worked closely with small towns along the coast. Even though we are a small region, I discovered that each town had a unique and rich history that shaped the type of place that it is today. Every place has its own personality and inserts itself quite firmly into the story of the people living there. I bring this experience to all the books I write. In the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series, for example, I created the small town of Cypress in the swamps of the Lowcountry. All the characters’ choices, from the intrepid librarian turned sleuth to her kooky friends, arise from their experiences with living on the edge of the swamp.
“Every place has its own personality and inserts itself quite firmly into the story of the people living there.” – Dorothy McFalls
You write in several different genres. How do you approach writing in different genres, and do you find that your storytelling process changes depending on the genre?
No matter what genre I’m writing, whether it’s a spicy romance, an adventurous romp, or a cozy mystery, story is essential. I want the reader to be turning the pages and worried about what will happen next while being entertained by my quirky characters. The only difference that I bring to the page when switching genres is making sure that the story satisfies readers’ expectations. If there’s a mystery to be solved—it’ll be solved. If there’s a romance—the hero and heroine will work their way through their troubles. I want the reader to have enjoyed their time within the pages of my books.
In The Marriage List, what inspired you to create the character of Viscount Radford Evers, and how did you develop his journey from a man of strict requirements to someone who falls for May Sheffers?
Radford is like me. He values order and lists because they’re safe. Marriage frightens him. He’ll have to share his life with someone who might throw his life into disorder. But because he is a member of the nobility, he must marry. That’s why he creates his infamous list of requirements. May is nothing like what he expects a wife should be (quiet, biddable, graceful). And yet, he can’t stay away from her. When he’s with her, life feels more colorful, more exciting. She’s unpredictable. She challenges him to step outside his comfort zone. I think we all deserve to have someone like that in our lives.
The emotional depth in The Marriage List has been praised by many reviewers. How do you approach crafting characters and emotions to ensure they resonate strongly with readers?
In all my books, I try to create characters who are working through challenges that are like challenges I face in my own life. I hope others can relate to these struggles too. In The Marriage List, May has been overlooked all her life. That’s something I know many people have experienced in their own lives. I know I sure have! When she finally finds the courage to step out of the shadows, readers are given the chance to cheer along when others start to notice and accept her.
“I want the reader to be turning the pages and worried about what will happen next.” – Dorothy McFalls
In The Last Moonlight Dragon, how did you balance the elements of romance and fantasy to create a compelling story that appeals to fans of both genres?
Balancing the romance and fantasy elements in a book is tricky. Reader expectations for each of those genres are very specific. The Last Moonlight Dragon features royal intrigue, magical creatures, and good versus evil plot elements that should please fantasy readers. But having said that, the book tilts more toward romance than fantasy on purpose. I feature the relationship between the slave and general as it blooms into a love story as the core plot. If someone is strictly a hard-core fantasy reader, this book isn’t for them. This book is for romance readers looking for epic storylines that span across an entire series.
The character dynamics between the Queen’s Lady and General Soren Kitmun are intriguing. What inspired you to develop their relationship in the way that you did, and how do you envision it evolving throughout the series?
Both Celestina, the Queen’s Lady turned slave, and General Kitmun both find themselves in situations beyond their control. Celestina is innocent and has never left the safety of the castle, while Soren is battle-hardened and has seen the worst in the world. She’s the light to his darkness. As they travel together, they witness magic and begin to see the world in an entirely different way. As the series progresses, they will continue to face challenges as they confront the light and the darkness in their personalities.
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