Biography
My Story
I was born in the beautiful Lake District, and from an early age I felt a calling to the creative industry. My passion for storytelling was ignited by watching television, where I looked up to the talented individuals who brought the characters to life. One of my earliest favourites was the soap opera Coronation Street, a show I still enjoy to this day.
I was born Emily Jane, sharing a name with the renowned writer Emily Brontë. However, as I grew into adulthood, I went through a lot of personal growth and felt the need for a name that reflected my evolution - a name that would signify my new unique identity and separate me from my past self. Thus, Emilie-Jayne was born.
This desire for reinvention resonates deeply with my connection to the mythical Phoenix. In my fantasy stories, I often incorporate this creature, as it embodies the idea of rebirth and transformation, reminding us that our past does not have to define us.
Moreover, as a Leo, I naturally feel a strong affinity and love for fire, further linking me to the symbolism of the Phoenix, the power of renewal, and the colour red (my favourite colour).
Throughout my life, I have always had a desire to write and share my own stories. This longing came to a head with the creation of my fantasy series ‘The Fearann Chronicles’, which I am currently working on. This project has given me the opportunity to give life to narratives that have long been playing in my mind. Singing has also been a lifelong passion of mine; as a child, I would have fun with karaoke sessions on YouTube, honing my skills until I pursued Performing Arts at a higher level. I feel a deep connection to music and really appreciate how it allows for deep immersion and storytelling. Currently, I am studying Music Production at Edge Hill University to further develop my knowledge and abilities in this field.
I began writing poetry while studying English Literature at A Level, and eventually decided to compile a selection of my poems into a book. This process led to the creation of my debut novel, ‘All for Love and Glory: A Poem Anthology’, which I published during my gap year, just before starting my university studies.
Initially, I intended to study History at university, but everything changed when I attended a concert by Florence + The Machine. In that moment, I realised that my true passion was to sing on stage, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music. Watching Eurovision 2023 further ignited my love for music and emphasised its power to unite people. The event made me feel a deep sense of belonging - part of something larger that all of Europe shared, and I felt great pride in being a part of it.
I feel that Eurovision provides incredible opportunities for lesser-known artists from various countries in Europe to perform together, reach new audiences, and pursue their dreams in the music industry. Therefore, it is my ultimate aspiration to perform at Eurovision one day with one of the songs I’ve written, where I can celebrate my music alongside others on that iconic stage.
Moreover, Eurovision deepened my appreciation for the diverse cultures of the world and increased my desire to travel to these beautiful places. I have set a personal goal to visit 100 countries across all continents, immersing myself in all the different cultures and experiences the world has to offer. I know it may sound cliché, but life is short, and I want to make the most of every moment!
During my gap year, I had the incredible opportunity to explore a variety of destinations, including New York, Croatia, Italy, France, Greece, and Malta, alongside some of the stunning spots right here in the UK. I feel truly fortunate to live part time in the Lake District, where breath-taking scenery, amazing walks, and loads of outdoor activities are practically at my doorstep.
Moreover, I live just a stone's throw from Scotland, which holds a special place in my heart, especially since I have Scottish ancestry. In 2024 alone, I made three trips to Glasgow to go to concerts featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Alessandra, and The Last Dinner Party.
My passion for live music has led me to countless concerts in recent years, with some of my favorites being Florence + The Machine, Baby Lasagna and ABBA Voyage. In the future, I look forward to traveling more and embarking on new adventures!
During lockdown, I began creating digital edits of historical television shows for my Art Instagram, a hobby that mixed perfectly with my love for history. This sparked a deeper interest in royal, fashion and women’s history, and is what inspired me to write my own stories set in both historical and fantastical realms. Reflecting on my childhood, I realised that I had always been a storyteller, whether through imaginary adventures with my sister or by using dolls as characters in the tales I created.
Motivated by a need to highlight women’s rights and celebrate lesser-known female figures, I focused much of my edits and historical writing on their remarkable yet often overlooked achievements. I got inspiration from figures like Empress Matilda, Queen Mary I, and Hürrem Sultan - women whose stories have been overshadowed or forgotten because of negative portrayals, largely because of male perspectives from their time. My goal is to ensure their legacies are remembered, honoring their contributions to history and bringing their remarkable stories to the forefront, as they should be.
When it comes to my fantasy writing, I draw inspiration from various fantasy narratives, including Game of Thrones, which I secretly watched at thirteen, and The Chronicles of Narnia, the first fantasy series that became a ‘special interest’ to me. As I mentioned previously, I also draw from real historical events and people. Queen Katherine, the central character of my upcoming book, ‘The Fearann Chronicles: The Memoirs of Katherine Allen’, is loosely based on iconic figures such as Queen Elizabeth I, Empress Matilda, and Isabella of France, as well as my own experiences. After all, her story originated as a creative investigation of how I would navigate her challenges if I were born into a fantasy world like hers.
I believe my passion for acting complements my writing beautifully. In my youth I was often losing myself in the lives of my characters and acting out scenes from their stories in my bedroom long before I even put pen to paper. For me, the first step in creating any story is to develop a family tree for the characters I’ve started to embody, gaining inspiration from real royal genealogies from history that I've explored for fun. This foundational work then eventually leads me to flesh out each character's story. By examining their names and the connections within the tree, I can instinctively identify which character should take centre stage and I then delve even deeper into their narrative. Before I know it, I've created an entire series of characters, with their own stories, and a rich fantasy world around them. The ideas flow effortlessly, almost instinctively, as I engage myself in this creative process.
I have also had the privilege of participating in many stage productions, including Into the Woods and Camelot, which have only strengthened my love for acting and given me further experience in this field. In the future, I hope to transition more towards acting in television shows and films.
My teenage years were marked by challenges as I navigated being neurodivergent in a traditional school environment. However, I've recently embraced my uniqueness and learned to channel it into my creative pursuits. I have always viewed the world through a different lens, questioning societal norms and seeking to understand why people often accept injustices simply because they are considered the 'norm'.
My free-spirited nature thrives outside, where I find peace in nature and with animals. I often felt stifled by the rigid structure of school, racing against the clock to pursue my passions for writing and singing. I recall moments after school when I was literally running around trying to do everything I wanted to and feeling almost panicked like I didn’t have enough hours in the day to get it all done. After leaving school, I learnt to slow down and enjoy life more, resulting in improved mental health.
I cherish my connections with animals and nature, and I love traveling with my close friend Lizzie, my family, and my sister, Molly. My rabbit, Luna, has been a faithful companion over the years and is the inspiration behind ‘The Adventures of Luna the Rabbit’, a series of poetic stories I plan on writing that are crafted to teach historical knowledge to children.
Horse riding has been a favourite hobby of mine since childhood, combining my love for exercise with my love for the outdoors. In addition, I have also recently developed a great love for watching and playing tennis, my favourite player being Jannik Sinner.
My relationship with religion has always been difficult. I once had deep religious beliefs that helped me through difficult times, but I was always puzzled by the amount of religions and the expectation to choose one as the ultimate truth. A character from the television show Vikings expressed a thought that resonated with me: perhaps all religions are valid and interconnected in a way we could never understand.
I also now believe that religion has often been unfortunately used as a tool for control, particularly over women’s rights and freedoms, which has made me step further from it and I would say now that I am more spiritual than anything.
I have always had a passion for learning languages. In the past, I started to learn French, Spanish, Scottish Gaelic, and German, but I have only fully committed to mastering German and studied it alongside my music course at university for a time. I find it fascinating how different countries have their own unique languages, each with distinct meanings for everyday objects. My desire to learn multiple languages is strong, but I wish I had started learning at a younger age, as this would have opened more doors for me.
This experience fuels my advocacy for introducing language education in UK schools at an earlier age. I firmly believe that knowing multiple languages is an invaluable skill, yet it is often overlooked in the UK education system. While children in many other countries are taught multiple languages from birth, our students are not given the same opportunities.
Additionally, I am passionate about combating ageism, one of the few forms of discrimination still allowed in law. I understand the necessity of laws designed to protect younger, less experienced individuals. However, I also believe it is unjust to assume that children and young adults lack the capacity to make informed decisions about their own lives or should be entirely controlled by their parents or guardians, as if they have less rights just because of their age. Empowering young people to use their voice and express their opinions is essential for creating a generation capable of critical thinking and self-determination.
Finally, I am also passionate about reading books, particularly those of the history and fantasy genre. I love getting lost in them and finding out about new people or eras that I previously didn’t know about. My most recent discovery is the story of Lady Katherine Grey, who I learned about from the book The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory.
After discovering my great-grandmother Lilly’s poems written in the 1920’s, I feel that writing is not just my passion but a powerful legacy flowing through my blood, connecting me to her and confirming that the art of storytelling is a part of who I am. Therefore, I am eager to publish my fantasy series ‘The Fearann Chronicles’ and share my music with the world, excited to see what the future holds for me.
