Every great story starts with a spark—and sometimes, that spark comes wrapped in a witch’s hat on Halloween night. For me, the seed of Defenders of the Five Realms didn’t begin with a map or a magical system. It began with my daughter.
One crisp October evening, she stepped out in her Halloween costume, a simple but striking witch outfit. The way she walked—confident, playful, full of imagination—stopped me in my tracks. In that moment, I saw not just a child playing dress-up, but the beginning of a story. What if that costume wasn’t pretend? What if a girl dressed as a witch was unknowingly destined for something far bigger? That question lodged itself in my brain, and Amanda Tyler was born.
More Than Just a Character
Amanda started as an idea—a regular girl, smart and kind, with a spark of bravery she doesn’t quite recognize in herself. But as I wrote, she became so much more. I didn’t want her to be a chosen one just because of prophecy or lineage. I wanted her to grow into her power—not through magic, but through choice. Through fear and courage. Through the kind of challenges that test who we are and who we want to become.
Like many kids, Amanda is caught between childhood and something greater. She’s imaginative, sometimes impulsive, and fiercely loyal to the people she loves. She’s not fearless—but she doesn’t let fear stop her. That, to me, is what makes a real hero.
Built from Real Moments
Amanda’s voice is inspired in part by the way my own daughter thinks and speaks—curious, clever, and a little sarcastic. Her friendship with Jimmy is rooted in the kind of lifelong bond kids can form in an instant. And her journey through grief, confusion, and responsibility echoes the real growing pains all of us experience as we start to understand the world—and our place in it.
In many ways, Amanda represents a fusion of imagination and emotion. She’s the kind of kid who asks questions adults might not. Who sees magic where others see routine. Who holds on to hope, even when the odds are stacked against her.
Why Amanda Had to Be the Hero
From the beginning, I knew this wasn’t going to be a story about someone being rescued. It was about someone discovering they had the power to rise—and making the terrifying choice to use it. Amanda doesn’t wait for permission to act. When everything falls apart, she chooses to stand up. She chooses to protect. To question. To trust. And eventually, to lead.
That’s the heart of the series. Amanda’s story isn’t just about wizards or dragons or portals. It’s about becoming who you were always meant to be—even if you don’t know what that looks like yet.
A Story for Dreamers
Young readers need characters who reflect their fears and their strength, their doubt and their dreams. Amanda is messy, brave, unsure, and determined. She’s a mirror for any reader who’s ever felt lost, or like they didn’t quite belong—only to discover that they had a role to play all along.
Writing Amanda has been one of the most rewarding parts of creating Defenders of the Five Realms. She reminds me every day that the smallest sparks—like a Halloween costume—can grow into something powerful enough to light up entire worlds.
So, if you’ve ever worn a costume and imagined you were someone else… maybe, just maybe, that was your beginning too.