I always love to find the stories I wrote when I was younger. Sometimes, I can remember the exact circumstances under which I created them, and other times I can’t recall a single thing, and am looking at it with fresh eyes. Either way, I can look at them and instantly know when they were written – based on the references I make and any evident influences I have.
Many of the earliest things I wrote were simply me rephrasing some scenes of my favourite books, only tweaking the characters and the settings they were in. I believe that is the single best way to find joy in writing (although you cannot imitate forever).
Reading an old story of mine is like having a look into my brain from back then. Is it optimistic, cynical, creepy or absurd?
Kids are known for being extremely imaginative, and that is something I can see in my own work from back then, as well as in my relatives now.
It’s always very exciting and nostalgic to unearth something that was made when the world was a different place, regardless of whether it was nine years ago or 900. It can emphasise growth and show you what you have learnt from it. In a way, going through your old things is sort of like archaeology of the self!
Daya, 12, loves books, languages, music and animals. She is passionate about climate issues and human/animal rights. She would like to go to Hogwarts someday (and she would have if not for some very dedicated house elf)!