What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
What Falls to Us began as a first draft back in 2012, possibly inspired by watching The Walking Dead, although I honestly can’t remember! The manuscript sat untouched for years until I returned to it when I decided to take my writing more seriously.
The rewrite brought two major changes. I made Hale a firefighter because I liked the idea of writing someone who was used to running towards danger rather than away from it, but who suddenly found himself in a world where there was no one else coming to help. I also moved the setting to Lancaster Castle, which led to plenty of research into the castle’s history, layout, and defences. What I discovered shaped the story as well.
So, What Falls to Us doesn’t really have one moment of inspiration I can point to, but a lot of things that contributed to making it the story it is today.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
That’s a difficult one! I actually have a whole Spotify playlist that I listened to while writing.
Hale, our main male character, changes quite a bit throughout the story, so his theme song would probably change with him. At some points, “Anywhere Away from Here” by Rag’n’Bone Man and P!nk feels like a good fit. At others, it’s “Arsonist’s Lullaby” by Hozier (an ironic choice, considering Hale is a firefighter!). And then there are moments when “Survive” by Lewis Capaldi feels much more appropriate.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
When I actually have time to sit down with a physical book, fantasy is usually my first choice. With audiobooks, though, I’m much more varied. It really depends on my mood. My most recent listens include a rom-com, a thriller, and a sci-fi novel.
I think what connects the books I enjoy, regardless of genre, is that they’re character-driven. I’m drawn to ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances, and stories that explore how those experiences change them, the choices they make, and the relationships they form along the way. That’s also what I love to write.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Too many! The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, and so many more.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
I can’t tell you that without giving spoilers. But it made me cry the first time I drafted it and with every subsequent revision.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I think my quirkiest writing habit is that I work on multiple books at the same time. Rather than finishing one project before starting another, I always have several stories on the go, sometimes in completely different genres. It might sound chaotic, but it works for me. When I get stuck on one story or need a change of pace, I can switch to another and come back with fresh eyes.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Not really. I can’t say I have a particularly profound motto or philosophy I live by. But when things get tough, I do often find myself repeating, “Just keep swimming.” Dory might not be the greatest philosopher of all time, but I think she was onto something.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
That’s a really difficult question, because there are so many things I’d love readers to take away from the story.
At its heart, What Falls to Us asks some difficult questions: How do you lead when you’re still bleeding? How do you care for others when you don’t know how to care for yourself? And how do you raise the next generation without passing on the damage of the last?
I think, more than anything, I’d like readers to remember that people don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. We all carry things with us, and we don’t always get everything right. But we can still show up for one another, make better choices, and try to build something better than what came before.
