The Creative Journey of Deborah Fletcher Mello
Deborah Fletcher Mello discusses her writing process, the importance of family in her stories, and how her characters reflect resilience, trust, and the challenges of navigating relationships and professional dynamics.
Deborah Fletcher Mello is a literary force whose storytelling prowess has captivated readers for over two decades. With a career that spans poetry, technical writing, and award-winning fiction, Deborah has established herself as a master of weaving tales that resonate deeply with the human experience. Her works, including the celebrated Stallion Family series, are a testament to her ability to craft compelling narratives that explore themes of love, family, and resilience. From her debut novel Take Me To Heart to the critically acclaimed Craving Temptation and Playing for Keeps, Deborah’s stories are rich with emotion, authenticity, and characters who leap off the page. Her accolades, including multiple Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards and recognition from Publisher’s Weekly, are a reflection of her dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with readers on a profound level.
In this interview, Deborah shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her unforgettable characters, and the themes that drive her storytelling. With a focus on family, trust, and the complexities of relationships, Deborah’s novels not only entertain but also encourage readers to reflect on their own lives. Join us as we delve into the mind of this extraordinary author and explore the stories that have made her a beloved voice in contemporary romance.
What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your novels, and how do they reflect your personal experiences or beliefs?
Most of my stories revolve around the importance of familial connections. It’s always about family support, family discord, family dysfunction and most importantly, the love for family. Generationally, family has lifted me above my circumstances and insured I am able to accomplish whatever I aspire to. I hope readers are encouraged to reflect on the importance of family in their own lives.
Can you share some insights into your writing process and how you develop your characters and storylines?
I am what’s known as a PANTSTER. I write by the seat of my pants! I rarely plot or plan any of my books. Although I have an inkling of how the story will flow and end, I allow the characters to lead me. My stories are very character driven. I know them intimately and have often said that I am only a conduit for the spirits of each character as they share what they want us to know. I write mostly at night, when the house has grown quiet and music is always playing in the background.
In To Love A Stallion, how did you balance the elements of romance and business conflict in John and Marah’s relationship?
I often say that TO LOVE A STALLION was a learning experience for me. I discovered with my first books what diehard romance readers are very particular about their stories and I was determined to get it right! Balancing the elements comes naturally with the story telling. I write, read, reread and instinctively feel what’s needed or not.
What inspired you to create the character of Marah Briscoe, and how does her journey reflect the challenges women face in a male-dominated business world?
In my Stallion Family series, the brothers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were the catalyst for the stories. I knew John needed a woman who was independent and fierce. A woman who fought hard for her family and believed in the family structure. She embodied the women I grew up with, the women who raised me, and the women we encounter on a daily basis. She is a woman who believes in doing right, by any means necessary, and no one, and nothing will ever keep her from it. Most definitely not some man!
In Tame A Wild Stallion, how did you develop the contrasting personalities of Mark and Mitch, and what do you think this dynamic adds to their romance?
Actually, I think Mark and Mitch were very similar personalities. Again, it was about their family structures and the dynamics of those interactions. Like his big brother John, Mark needed a woman who would gladly go toe to toe with him for what she believed. Mitch was unapologetic and a dynamic spirit that would not be harnessed. Mark enjoyed the chase and knowing that the woman he was attracted to wouldn’t be a woman who played games with his heart.
What themes of trust and vulnerability did you aim to explore through Mitch’s reluctance to open up to Mark, and how do those themes resonate in today’s relationships?
Working in a male-dominated profession, Mitch had run into her fair share of men who refused to trust her skills because she had a pretty face and a modelesque figure. They were more impressed with her being able to apply makeup and wear high heels, than her ability to rebuild a car engine. She’d been hurt in previous relationships, those men never giving her credit for her skills and downplaying her accomplishments. From their first meeting Mark was open and honest and didn’t pull any punches. They both knew what they were getting from jump. Successful relationships make it, because there are never any surprises. There’s no pretense and the smoke and mirrors don’t exist. There needs to be a level of confidence with both parties and Mark and Mitch both embodied that confidence.
