My name is Claira Jo, but most people call me CJ. I was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. To this day, I'm still honoured, proud and delighted to still call it my home. From an early age, I've always enjoyed making up stories and games. Now being able to read and share them with children of all ages, just adds to the joy I get when rewarded with their innocent, honest smiles. On advice given to me, I decided to write my stories down. Luckily, the stories I write, Magical Realism/Science Faction, I love, so writing this type of story for children, is just bliss for me.
Right now, I'm having a blast creating new characters as well as taking my existing ones on different adventures. My readership range of 8-12, I believe, is when one's imagination is at its best.
I, personally, recall my younger years with great fondess and is my benchmark for all my stories. Since I've started reading my own stories to children, their perception and what they get out of it, is priceless to me. There's nothing sweeter than a child laughing and to know I've written something that can stir their emotions like that, just makes me want to write even more.
So far, 2008 has been such a great turning point in my writing career. I've written my first novel, a selection of poems and a handful of short stories. I'm also refining my storytelling craft as "Auntie Claira" with good old fashioned hard work and dedication. Although sometimes, still referred to locally by my birthname, Anne, when I'm not in "CJ" mode, it helps me keep my feet on the ground. Saying that, since becoming Regional Advisor for SCBWI Scotland, I've been taken places I could only ever dream of before now. Hence, I can only look forward to the forthcoming months with much delight and aspiration. When I'm relaxing, and I've not got "CJ's hat" on, I like nothing better than separating her life from mine by enjoying life with my son and our ever growing family of pets. All of which, we love spending time with. Being a children's author takes up a lot of my time, but I'll endevour to keep posting any updates here. After all, if you've taken the time to visit my site, it's the least I can do!
Please feel free to look around and contact me if there's anything you want to ask. Thank you for all your support so far and I look forward to meeting all of you some day to thank you in person.
Enjoy your visit and come back soon. Keep smiling
CJ x
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This page was last modified on Saturday, 14 June 2008