Levity & Betta: The Two Faces of My Fictional Soul

Let’s talk about how writing a dystopian novel turned into an accidental self-therapy session. When I embarked on this journey, I swore up and down that my characters would be pure fiction—pure escape from my own reality. But here’s the kicker: as soon as I started typing, my subconscious hijacked the story and decided it was time for a little self-exploration. Cue the dramatic music, because now I’ve got two characters who are, in no uncertain terms, different facets of my own psyche.

First up is Levity. Oh, Levity—bless her heart, she’s the poster child for “Why Is Adulting So Hard?” She’s like the friend who shows up with Chick-Fil-A chicken noodle soup when you’re sick, except she’s also shouldering the world’s problems like a bag of bricks. Her confidence is like a Wi-Fi signal—sometimes strong, sometimes spotty. She’s battling responsibilities that would make Dwayne Johnson sweat, all while trying to keep her sanity intact. Sound like anyone you know? Cough, moms, cough. Levity is me on those days when I’m running on caffeine and optimism, trying to juggle life’s circus act while pretending I’ve got it all under control. She’s the part of me that’s constantly constructing and reconstructing herself, figuring out how to blend strength with insecurity, and occasionally letting others pick up a piece or two.

Enter Betta—the sass queen with enough attitude to make a cactus seem cuddly. She’s sharp, no-nonsense, and can probably set you on fire with a single withering glance (or a perfectly timed sarcastic quip). Her trust issues are rooted in a childhood where security was as elusive as a mirage. Growing up with a father who was less than a pillar of support, Betta found solace only in her close bond with her mother. Her mother was her rock, the one person she could rely on in a world that often felt unstable. But the scars left by a father who failed to provide a sense of security left deep marks on her trust. Underneath Betta’s tough exterior, she’s fiercely protective of the emotional safety she’s fought so hard to maintain, and she guards it with a vigilance born from necessity. Betta’s learned to keep her emotional walls high, not just out of defiance, but out of a deep-seated need to protect herself from being let down again.

As I wade through the mire of developmental edits coming my way, one thing is crystal clear: Levity and Betta aren’t going anywhere. They may have snuck in through the back door of my subconscious, but they’re here to stay. I know these characters as well as I know the creases in my own palms because, in a bizarre twist, they are me. Levity’s the part of me that’s earnestly puzzling over life’s conundrums, while Betta’s the one rolling her eyes and muttering, “Seriously?”

So, despite my best efforts to craft a story with a bit of distance from my own reality, Levity and Betta stand as proof that no matter how hard we try to keep our inner truths hidden, our stories have a way of exposing them.

And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Want to learn more about Levity and Betta - Click Here for full character descriptions.