Meet C.J.Parnell

Hi, I’m Chris—also known as C.J. Parnell. I’m 41, I live in County Durham (and have done for the past 16 years), and I work full-time in the pet retail world—a job I genuinely love. But my dream, for as long as I can remember, has always been to become a writer.

I have dyslexia and struggled through school as a child. It wasn’t easy, but I never gave up. I worked hard every single day to better myself. If I could go back and speak to my 13-year-old self, I’d say this: Don’t let things get you down. You’re stronger and far greater than you can imagine. Believe in yourself. And that’s what I’d say to anyone who’s struggling too—you are stronger than you know.

A few years ago, after losing my grandmother and facing pressure at work, my mental health took a hit. I turned to writing as a way to cope—little pockets of inspiration and hope. It helped. It gave me a place to breathe. And before I knew it, I had the beginning of Evelyn’s incredible journey.

At first, I never planned to share my story with anyone. But thanks to the encouragement of my wife, my family, and close friends, Evelyn Thorne was brought to life—and I’m so proud of how far she’s come.

When I’m not writing, I love walking in the countryside with my wife, rebuilding my classic MG, and watching the wildlife in our garden.

Thanks for stopping by—and if you’re curious about Evelyn’s world, I’d love to take you on the adventure with me.