(Spoiler Alert: I’m going to try not to, but be warned.)  Senta got her last name from turn of the century (the one before last) girl-reporter Nellie Bly.  So when I created this particular character for The Young Sorceress, I used the other half of Nellie Bly’s name as sort of an in joke, or hint.  It works perfectly, because Nellie Swenson is a girl-reporter.  The second half of her name is just pulled out of the air.  There is a major street near here named Swenson, and also a chain of ice-cream parlor’s called Swenson’s.  I used to take my kids there.  Anyway, I don’t know if I used the character to her full potential, but I had fun with her.  Here is her first appearance in The Young Sorceress.

“Excuse me,” said a voice from behind them. 

Graham and Senta turned to look into the freckled face of a young woman.  She had evidently just come off one of the ships in port.  She wore a long traveling coat over a white blouse and brown dress.  A brown bonnet held back bright red hair, a few strands of which escaped to hang down on the side of their face.  In her right hand she grasped the handle of a small carpet bag.

“Do either of you know your way around town,” asked the girl.

“Sure,” replied Graham.  “What are you looking for?”

“I don’t really know.  I’m new here.  I don’t have a place to stay yet and I’m not sure where I should go to find one.”

“I’ll help you.  I’m Graham Dokkins.”

“I’m Nellie Swenson, girl reporter.”

“Are you supposed to be famous or something?” asked Senta.

“I’m pretty well known back in Brech.  The Herald Sun is the most widely read news broadsheet, and I have a weekly column.”

“Who’s writing it now then?”

“Oh, I wrote enough extra columns to fill out a whole year, though I’m kind of sorry I’m not going to get to see the reaction to my story on orphanage abuses or the one detailing the stunt of my jumping from a dirigible.  I’m here to see Birmisia Colony and I’m keeping a journal of my adventure.  It should provide at least a year of new columns.”

“Come on, I’ll take you to the new arrivals bureau,” offered Graham.

“That would be lovely, but aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

“Oh, that’s just Senta.”  Then to Senta he said, “I’m going to help Nellie get situated.  I’ll see you later.”

The boy offered the new arrival his arm, which she took, and the two of them started up Seventh and One Half Avenue.  Senta’s eyes bored holes in their backs, and she absentmindedly punched her left palm with her right fist.