People sometimes ask where Brin and Melly’s personalities came from. The answer is close to home.
Brin’s personality mirrors my son, Bing. It was easy to write Brin’s character while thinking about my son and the kindhearted, protective qualities I see in my sons. Brin is strong, but his greatest strength comes from caring deeply for his friends and family.
Melly’s curiosity takes me back to my daughters, Tehya and Inara, when they were little girls. They were curious, full of questions, funny, and ready to explore. Those memories made it easy to hear Melly’s voice and imagine what she might say next.
Now my granddaughter Melody, whom we call Melly, is growing into that same spirit. She is so much like her mom and her aunt. Watching her reminds me that curiosity, courage, and kindness can pass from one generation to the next.
A piece of my family lives in every Brin and Melly adventure.
When I write about Brin and Melly, I am not simply inventing characters. I am drawing from the people I love, the qualities I admire in them, and the memories that still make me smile.
That is why Brin and Melly’s friendship feels real to me. Their story began in a log, but its heart came from my family.