Most of my stories start with a character—and then I build the world around them.

But Talee was different.

With Talee, the world came first.

I started imagining a planet made of floating landmasses—drifting islands in the sky. From there, everything else unfolded. I needed a character who could travel and explore that kind of world—so Talee was born. A curious, adventurous girl with a flying companion named Nola, and a best friend named Cora who keeps her grounded.

Planet Gala became the first world I built from the outside in.

And Talee? She brings that world to life, one adventure at a time.

The image below shows a glimpse of Gala. That little purple house... that’s Talee’s home.