Arriving in Malta at age eight without knowing a word of English, Annie’s resilience soon led her to master multiple languages and craft her own compelling narratives. Today, her literary passion is propelling her to Scotland to pursue a prestigious degree at the University of Edinburgh.
by Luna Erica
Meet Annie, a talented writer and student who relocated from China to Malta as a young child. Immersed in books, she quickly evolved from an avid reader into a prolific storyteller. She is now dedicated to honing her craft, eager to explore the imaginative worlds she creates.
Annie adapted to her new environment with impressive speed, swiftly overcoming the language barrier she faced upon her family’s arrival in Malta.
“The first book I read was an Enid Blyton book. I loved reading the words and then realizing they actually made sense. That was one of the most significant moments – from then onwards, I wouldn’t stop reading books.”
Turning her passion for reading into a writing journey
Annie’s passion for reading was so intense that her parents eventually limited her daily reading hours. Undeterred, Annie found a clever loophole: “They said I wasn’t allowed to read, but they hadn’t said anything about writing!” This pivot sparked a new and enduring love for creative writing.
As she excelled in her studies, Annie also became a skilled polyglot. She admits that moving to Malta initially presented a significant cultural shock.
“The food tasted different, the people looked different, and I could not understand anything they said at all!” Through persistence and support, she eventually embraced the local culture. Today, she speaks English, French, German, and Maltese fluently.
Annie’s academic success is a direct result of her unwavering work ethic. She recalls spending up to ten hours a day studying to achieve perfection, joking that the intense schedule almost drove her "a little bit bonkers."
Writing her way to Edinburgh and a future in storytelling
Ultimately, Annie stood out as a scholarship winner because of her compelling storytelling, beautiful prose, and genuine enthusiasm. While she began her interview with a touch of shyness, she truly came alive whenever she spoke about her writing.
Covering genres from horror to fairytale, Annie captivated our team with her eloquence and depth. Her passion was so infectious that our transcriber was left spellbound, putting down her notes to listen to the budding writer’s narrative unfold.
Annie’s talent and vision made her an undeniable choice for this scholarship. With her prize, she will now pursue a Master’s in Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh, where she will continue to transport readers into her imaginative worlds.