Jane Elson
Published Author and Mentor
Jane Elson
Published Author and Mentor
As being Neurodiverse was not understood when I was a child I was labeled stupid and I was not expected to achieve anything. This gave me glorious freedom. All my high-flying academic cousins were expected and pressured to follow careers like accountants, teachers and lecturers, ‘so called normal, sensible jobs.’ I was left to dream and my dreams became a reality. I became an actor and then a published children’s author.
My life isn’t easy as my dyslexia and my dyspraxia make our digital world of pin numbers and pass words a logistical nightmare. However, because of the way my brain is wired It really helps with my story telling and my randomness enables me to put unexpected things together which feeds my writers voice.
I am really proud of my journey of being written off at school to winning Peters Book of The Year two years running and a host of other literary awards and been nominated for the Carnegie Medal twice.
I work as a mentor with Neurodivergent young people. I hope they in turn will help other young people. Having a mentor is vital.
