Allow me to introduce Betsy Lyons. She is the hero of our story. That’s Betsy on the left.
On the right is my granddaughter Lucy—sort of. This photo is an AI illustrative rendering of her at the age of eight. In reality she has just turned five.
The summer before she turned three, she told me a story. “I’m a superhero. Superheros save the world.” That September, I started a fiction writing course. I hadn’t a clue what to write about until I remembered Lucy’s story. “What if Lucy really was a superhero?” Chills ran down my back. I had found my story.
I was pretty sure that a three-year-old superhero was not feasible, so Betsy is nine. “They” say to write what you know, so there are many similarities between Betsy and Lucy. They are both smart, funny, problem-solving superheroes. Granted, Lucy doesn’t have a superpower, but she is awesome without one.
Happy Birthday, Lucy! You are a great storyteller.