Rayfire

 I'm 12, and am English. My D.O.B. is 1st October, 1996. I don't know how long I have loved to read and write, but ever since I learnt I don't think I have stopped!

I am always engrossed in a good book, and my favourites are the Redwall  Series by Brain Jacques. I am reading them for the sixth time. It was my love for books that helped me get into writing. When I read, I always went, 'What if I could do this?'

The possibilities are endless, but the more I thought about it I realised how much I wanted to become an author, and make people laugh or cry with words. You have the complete power to make up whatever you fancied. No one could stop you and say, 'But trolls aren't real'. Because, in your writing, they are real, vivid, and they are the way you imagine them, and no one has the power to stop your imagination, or seeing trolls the way you see them. Most people see trolls as big, ugly green giant things, but me? I like to see trolls as a being of beauty, which may sound weird, but you can get tall, pretty trolls in my view - who said that trolls had  to be enemies, or orges, for that matter? Who said they had to be ugly, big, smelly, green, or ugly? No one! You have complete power to express what you think, and if you do think that they're tall, ugly green things, then fine - write what you think. Don't let other stories or books stand in your way.

So I started to write, mostly silly little stories about fairies and ogres, but hey, I was only 6. I then steadily progressed, spreading my vocabuary and punctuation. I started to write wonky poetry. I loved to make things rhyme even though half the lines didn't work!

It was then in Year 5, when I was 10, I started to write Rayfire, expecting it to be 4, 5-ish pages. It turned out to become a 67 paged novel. I edited it through so many times, changed the plot and the storyline, which really helped, believe me. Now it is at it's best plot-wise. But there are so many typos!!

Please read it and tell me what you think. I worked so hard on it, and please don't be afraid to say what you think I could do to improve it. I won't be offended! And God, it's SO MUCH LONGER! 200 pages!

If you're asking for other writings I've done, most are handwritten and all my naffo 7-year-old twaddle was wiped off the computer when a virus came. Rayfire is on two other computers, my e-mail account and also my memory stick, so luckily it was saved. However, I have rigged up a Poems page - for similar things. Plus an 'Other Works', stuff that wasn't poetry. =]

My personality? This is when you think me as a self-obsessed person, but I'm getting this from all of the compliments I have ever received. If you're going to try horoscopes to see if this is correct, I'm a Libra. =P

I am generally a very creative person, and I am VERY determined. I like to keep the peace, hate attention and am quite shy... I can be quite persistant when I want something and don't normally give up. Like I said, I am a VERY determined person. I can be lazy, and am very loyal. I keep any secrets my friends tell me, and can't pick sides in an arguement, no matter what. I tend to be a hard-worker. I am kind, honest and open with the people around me. I wouldn't say I'm clever, but that HAS been a compliment, so, I s'spose I'll have to write it down. And, last of all, I love to play music really loud, even when I'm writing! Though, for your conveinience, I have added NO music to the pages with writing on - a.k.a the 'Sneak Preview' and Rayfire. And I also loooooooove emo/rock-y/punky sort of music, so Fall Out Boy is a definate fave.

ADDED BY ME - THESE HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLIMENTS (and if they weren they'd insults, peeps): I am not a brave person, but I don't mind mud, spiders or water, and it takes a lot of persistance for me to jump from a height because I hate imagining what COULD happen. Lastly, I always have my head in the clouds. =] =D =P

 My hobbies, or just things I enjoy: Writing, reading, cooking, climbing, zipwire, fencing, basketball, netball, kingball, search and rescue, first aid, archery, bridge building, swimming, highropes, ice-skating, abseiling and daydreaming. Most of the activities I did with my classmates at The Pioneer Centre, a weekly residental. I don't think I'll forget the time I had with all of my pals. We all got even friendlier there with each other and the experience is unforgettable. Even our teacher, who had been at least twice before, enjoyed it!

The Things I Hate The Most: School uniform, dresses, yellow, songs I  being played on the radio over and over three squillion times, being cold, Sex Education Lessons, snobs, people who are childish and immature, waiting. It sucks. x(

But, back to the present. If you want to be an author, too, a good start is to read. According to my Mum I have a deep mind. Maybe that's because I tend to daydream, think and imagine. This is nothing to be ashamed of! In fact, I think it's fab having a good imagination - even if your teacher tells you to come back down to earth. It makes writing a lot easier, whether your trolls are blue, pretty and short.

So, before I finish this mini autobiography, I have a few people to thank for their un-dying patience and support through a worthwhile year of writing. First off, to my teacher, who couldn't wait for the first draft, and even now is still a fantastic source of support; and lastly, all of my friends and family - my twin brother, Mum, Dad and elder sister, for a constant stream of advice and support, and all of my classmates, who wish me luck with my ambition. I just want them to know how much it really means to me! I am so thankful for their support, and hope that one day they can read Rayfire as a published novel... one day. That day would be the happiest day of my life. =]. And also to Sasha and Kylie for being so supportive and helpful with the site. =D

So, now for a last line of advice. It is something rather like all of the Rayfires would say: 'Never, ever give up.' No matter how long it took to write, the whole year's wait for Rayfire was worth it. Also, don't rush yourself, keep dreaming, keep reading, and keep writing... and who cares if your trolls are multi-coloured, fat and miniscule?

~ Jorja

If I have a girl, I'd name her Persephone (Per-seph-pho-nee) or Kai.

If I have a boy, I'd name him... Oscar or Omar (Alitteration!)

My favourite food is... Sausage Casserole. I also adore treacle tart and GUs. They're lush. =P

My favourite artists are...

Fall Out Boy, Basshunter, My Chemical Romace, Duffy, Avril Lavigne, The Script, Rihanna, The Ting Tings, and lots of little songs and tunes.

My best friend is... Corinne

My other friends are... Polly, Georgina, Henry, Alice D.

I am... 160cm-ish tall.

I weigh... 7.5 stone.

My feet are size... 6/7/8.

My favourite actor is... David Tennant.

My favourite actress is... Kiera Khightley

My favourite TV Shows are... Doctor Who and Top Gear.

My favourite colour is... GREEN

My life qoutes are...

 "I'm the author of my life. Unfortunately, I happen to be writing in pen so I can't erase my mistakes."

         "Don't wait for tomorrow when you'll NEVER get today back."