“Jane Finds a Friend” is a story I wrote when I was only 7 years old. At the time, my family and I were living smack bang in the middle of the Australian bush in the heart of Queensland. The closest small town was a 4-5 hour drive away. 
  

I had a wonderful childhood and a supportive family, and living in the outback as a child is always full of adventures. But I didn’t have any friends except for my chickens, pigs, frogs, birds and all manner of creepy crawlies.  
 
As a result, I always yearned to have these wonderful people I read about in books - friends. 
  

However, when I did meet with other children, I always felt different. I felt awkward, or like my games and my imagination were a little too wild for them. I didn’t always feel accepted. For a child of 7 with a lot to talk about and share, it was hard.
  

Hence, Jane the Snake was born. 
 
 I feel like Jane echoes the question all children ask: Will you be my friend? I feel she even echoes adults in a way. We are less direct with our question but it is still the same one. Will you be my friend? Will you accept me? Will you help me? Will you be there for me through thick and thin?
 
I intend for Jane to have many adventures and to learn many lessons, but the first and perhaps most important lesson is the adventure of finding a friend. 
  

I hope you enjoy!
  

-          C. Jay Loren