Teenager Erin has created a sci-fi fantasy world

As Erin Wyllie studies for her final exams to achieve her dream of becoming a vet, it would be fair to say she has enough to keep her busy.

However, the 16-year-old Aberdeenshire schoolgirl is spending what little spare time she has by making her name on the literary scene. The budding author has written and had published her first novel, which has received rave reviews from her family and friends.

Now it has gone on sale officially, she hopes the sci-fi fantasy will become a huge success.

The teenager, from Alford, has been writing short stories since she was a little girl. Her father, David, said she loved devouring the Harry Potter and Twilight series, and would read the stories countless times to break down the intricate plots.

When it came to writing her own stories, Mr Wyllie would catch her going back to them again and again, making them bigger and better.

“I would see her go back and forth to her laptop, putting more detail and ideas in,” he said.

“She always loved reading. She would choose writing short stories over watching TV any day.”

Erin’s hobby turned into a more serious project last year, however, when she decided to share her work with the world.

In fact, it was during a prelim exam in her fourth year of school that the idea for her first novel popped into her head.

“I finished the exam 45 minutes early, and I just started thinking about different ideas,” she said, “It all just happened.”

Erin contacted a self-publishing agent who agreed to read her manuscript and publish it for real.

Now, her first book – Making Waves – is available to purchase on Amazon for the Kindle, and can also be bought in paperback.

It is the first in a trilogy of books, the second of which she has completed already.

Erin describes the trilogy as a sci-fi fantasy for teenagers, based on a colony of merpeople. The plot focuses on the lead character, Mima, who is a servant in the king’s palace and is best friends with the prince.

Erin had been jotting down rough sketches of what the characters looked like in her head, but she needed a professional to bring them to life. Family friend and artist Amy Telford offered to help, and drew up the perfect front cover.

“It came back exactly how I had imagined,” said Erin.

“I was amazed at how well she drew them.”

Erin’s family and friends have so far read her book, and have loved the fantasy world she has created.

Her father says he is “incredibly proud” of what his talented daughter has managed to achieve at such a young age.

“I think it’s just great,” he said.

Erin is studying for advanced higher exams in biology and chemistry at Alford Academy to get the grades she needs to become a vet.

She is applying for university places, and hopes to get into The Bristol School of Veterinary Science. She said that, for now, the focus is on animals.

“But who knows what will happen in the future,” she said.

Erin Wyllie is making a name for herself on the literary scene with her first novel