Where in the World is Magnolia Falls?

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        In the world of Make-Believe, Magnolia Falls is a small city located in southeastern North Carolina. From there, it's only a couple of hours to the coast, an hour to Raleigh, the state's capital, and about four hours to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yeah, okay, Magnolia Falls looks suspiciously close to the town where I grew up. But there's good reason for that.

        After reading an early draft of my first novel, my parents told me if I used our hometown for the setting, they felt strongly they'd have to move. Bummer! I really wanted to feature my hometown.

        But I didn't. I created a place called Magnolia Falls. I filled it with positivity and problems, hearsay and heart. I added conflicted characters making big, fat mistakes and small, sometimes sneaky improprieties. None of which are based on people I've met anywhere but inside my head. I placed my fictional town near my real hometown because I know the neighbors. Plus, I don't live there anymore, and I miss everybody.

        Along the way, I decided I was happier with the make-believe. Setting stories in the 'hood could've come with complications--like accuracy or unintended slights. Making stuff up offers the freedom to change and rearrange. Way more fun.

        All these years later, I find it hilarious that my parents actually believed people in our town might read my work and think I'd written about them. I also find it incredibly sweet that my parents assumed my stories would be published. I miss them.