When I was growing up, one of the things I wanted most was to be like the fantasy heroes in the books I read. Daring, funny, clever, noble, MAGICAL. But something was always missing when I looked for those things, black girls like me.
I would search for myself in literature and always find it lacking. Meaning, I was lacking.
Naomi, the main protagonist in this book, is the character I wish I'd had as a kid. She's not the perfect heroine, but at least, she EXISTS.
I'm posting her story on Wattpad, because I feel like maybe other people need a Naomi. Someone that looks like them, or even if she doesn't, they connect and identify with her spirit as a character.
I'm not trying to preach about needing diversity in literature. We ALL already know that.
All I'm saying is: a big part of why I wrote Naomi's journey is so that other people can see black girls really CAN be magic.
Especially in a time and place, where people are still fucking arguing on Twitter, if people of color can even BE in fantasy novels. Where people are erasing the color of characters writers--myself included--have created.
So here is to black magic girls. And to ALL girls who just want to be seen...
I see you.
I hope Naomi's story will speak to you too.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
YOU ARE READING
The Last Dragon Shifter
Teen FictionNaomi Cliffton believed she would go her whole life hiding her true identity. To the people of Tyrra, she is someone barren of magic and a social pariah. In reality, she is the last dragon shifter: a lone survivor of a race that was killed off for b...
