[Anatidae]

As for what I do, it's really varied. I enjoy most genres. I think my last five have been fantasy, slice of life (x2), post-apocalyptic and adventure. Unless you meant a writing sample, in which case I'll put one in a spoiler (please don't be put off bu the length, in general they're not that long). C:

Ella was sitting at the kitchen table, slowly pushing porridge from one side of her bowl to the other. She knew that she ought to attempt to eat something, it was going to be a busy day. Check-in day at the school always was according to Phil. He was used to it though, so he knew the procedure. He'd been going there for years. His dad struck oil so he could afford to send Phil away. He was still welcome at home though, unlike Ella. He promised to keep an eye on her though. To help her get settled in and find her way around. For that, she was grateful. She was glad that they were going to school together. He was her only 'real' friend, someone that she always missed when he was away during term times. It was a lonely life for Ella, always the last choice. She didn't expect any different when she went to school.

"Come on, dork," Melody said as she breezed into the kitchen. "We're going to be late! The train leaves at eleven." She grabbed an apple and paused for a moment. Taking the time to give Ella a cold stare. "You better not be weird at school...I know you and what you're like. Ruin this for me and Harmony and you'll wish you were never born!"

"I already do..." Ella muttered as Melody left the room.

Ella put her bowl on the counter for Carissa to deal with later and took one last look around the kitchen. Sure, she had the option to come back for Christmas, but she doubted she'd take it. She wouldn't see this house for a whole year. In a way she was glad, in another, she wished she could stay.

She went up to her room and grabbed her suitcases. She had two, a rucksack and her school satchel. This was nothing compared to the staggering twelve cases the twins had, as well as three hold-alls and four backpacks. Ella wondered how they could amass so much, then she remembered, Carissa doted on them. Walking down to the car with her luggage, she stowed it away and then climbed in the back behind the drivers seat. Her father was taking them, he wanted it to be family only, so dismissed the usual driver, Hans. Sadly "family only" also included Carissa. She was already in the front seat, admiring herself in the mirror.

"You better behave, brat. I don't want you getting expelled and sent back to me. Do you hear? Because I won't have it. I won't take you back," she said, eyeing Ella up in her mirror.

"As if I'd do a thing like that, I'm glad of the break from you," Ella replied sarcastically.

Before an argument could start, the twins and their father got into the car. He smiled and started up the engine. Mindless chatter between everyone broke out. Well, everyone but Ella. As the car drove along the interstate to the station, she remained silent. She rested her head on the window and brought her knees up under her chin. She was imagining what the school would be like. What was in store for her. It was rather exciting. A chance to be who she always wanted to away from the tyranny of Carissa.

The car pulled into the station car park. She hugged her father goodbye and reluctantly hugged Carissa. She made up a story about going to meet Phil, so she grabbed her cases and bags and left the others to it. True, she would be meeting up with Phil outside the school after the three hour train ride, but she just wanted some space.

She set herself up in a carriage and settled down, listening to music. She brought her sketchbook with her and began to draw. Slowly the train began to fill and on a whistle, pulled away. She was drawing a castle, ignoring the people pressed against the window, crying and waving to loved ones. This castle was enchanted. Ivy and other plants growing all around, a mystical forest surrounding it. There was a princess trapped inside, locked up by a foul witch. In her head she pretended that she was the princess and that Carissa was her captor, which in a way was true. However, she had escaped. She had done what she always wanted, what ever trapped soul wants. She got out.

Phil came in to her carriage with a huge smile on his face.

"Cinders! There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere! We're almost there. Excited?"

"I've been better..."

"Well cheer up! Here, did you get your form to check in with?"

"Form? What form?" Ella asked, starting to panic.

"Didn't think you would have. Anyway, basically it just tells you where to check in. You're a new comer, so you'll be checking in with some new guy. Dunno what he looks like. His name begins with a C though. It was on the noticeboard last term. I'll point out who he is when we get there, he's the one no-one knows."

The train pulled into the station. Right next to the station was a large old building which was obviously the school. As this was a private train, it was clearly prestigious. Ella grabbed her cases and Phil disappeared off to get his. She waited patiently as others milled on and off, and she hopped off after them. She saw Phil's flaming red hair and walked up to him.

Together, they started into the school. This was the start of her new life.

I class literacy as being able to spell and use correct grammar rather than length. I'd rather have one paragraph of readable English than six full of errors.