Schoolwork
Below are some surviving fragments of creative work done at school, most of which was destroyed long ago.
These two (very short) stories were the only items I submitted to the Kilvington school magazine, the Kilvonian, in all my years there. They are also the only surviving creative writing I have from my earlier life.
As with art, I tend to focus exclusively on whatever I am obsessed with and not be able to do anything else (an Asperger’s Syndrome trait). An extract from one of my school reports (Form 7A, 1983) – I was obsessed with horses at that time:
[…] Her horse stories are excellent and show a high degree of originality and interesting style, but she must be prepared to exploit her imagination more fully and transfer this ability to more diverse subjects.
The Men From Outer Space (Make Believe)
This was done in 1979 at 8 years old, Year 3. I felt compelled to add in the title that this was “make-believe”, just in case someone thought it true! (Though it does sound like an alien abduction tale!)
One night when I was walking, I saw a spaceship. It landed, and people were screaming. Then the door opened, and men came out! They were green, yellow and blue. I gave a scream. They took me into the spaceship. Then they flew me to their planet. It was Mercury. They were very friendly. They said to me to stay with them for a few days. I did. When it was time for me to go, they gave me a costume. I was also allowed to take one home.
Leo the Silver Flying Horse
Completed in 1980, 9 years old, Year 4. I also did the drawing – but it was never returned to me! (Yes, that is me riding Pegasus! Mum said that when I was little I wanted a Pegasus of my own.) I have no idea what inspired this tale!
“There he is. Catch him!” cried a cowboy. The others heard him, and started chasing the silvery horse, whose name was Leo. He suddenly spread his beautiful wings and flew off into the sunset. “Phew, that was a hard chase!” Leo said later to his friend. His friend, who was called Lochness, looked very strange. She had wings like Leo, but the strangest thing about her was that she had an eagle’s head. They were both a very strange pair. One day, while they were grazing, they saw a few cowboys. They started galloping. But the cowboys were gaining on them. At last they spread their wings, and flew off into the sunset. The cowboys saw their silvery bodies for the last time, then they disappeared.
My Thoughts About Jesus
A short and somewhat unfocused essay written for Religious Education in Year 10, 1986. I don’t think my views have changed much since then! The religious teacher was Rev. Graham Neilson. (His comments are in brackets.)
I’m not a Christian so I find it a bit hard to believe in Jesus. Actually, I did become a Christian a few years back, but it didn’t satisfy me so I gave up. [– Why?]
There’s no real evidence for Jesus, apart from the Bible. [–This is not true, Suzie] This says he was the Son of God, but he could have been an ordinary human with supernatural powers, or anything.
When you read about Jesus in the Bible he comes across as a kind but firm person. He tells many interesting stories with a meaning to them, performs miracles and wins thousands of followers. He taught about loving your neighbor as you love yourself, and loving your enemies amongst many other things. I don’t really believe in loving your enemies – well, it’s almost impossible to, really. I have many people whom I hate. [– Worth thinking, why?]
Jesus taught many new ideas – mostly about love and forgiveness. He died on the Cross, as the Bible says, to free us from our sins.
There are many millions of Christians in the world today, and churches are being built everywhere.
I often think of the unimaginable vastness of the Universe, and our planet is virtually nothing compared to it, not to mention humans. You feel – how do I put it? – a bit overwhelmed and think how insignificant we are, and our religions.
I am both fearful and not scared of death. It’s my belief that we humans are not meant to know what lies after death until we do die.
I do have my personal beliefs, but I can’t say them here. [– Pity you didn’t feel free to continue, Suzy. – G.N]
The remark about “my personal beliefs” was a reference to my inner fantasy world of then, and me just trying to sound somewhat mysterious.
