Ann Romanenko

Writing a book has been my dream, particularly during my teenage years. I started to scribble down my romantic thoughts on paper while at school, where a writing competition more or less changed my life. My entry was an essay on the book Little Zaches Called Cinnabar, a German novel written by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It is a very deep novel with many hidden layers that are not evident on first reading. I recall that particular moment while sitting on the bench during physical exercise when it was announced that my essay had been given an accolade. I could hardly believe what I was hearing, but this honour sparked something within my romantic soul and has never left it.