J K Rowling's story is a great example of how inspiration can be vital when the chips are down. Born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1965, Rowling had an
unremarkable childhood. Though her teen years were diffi cult, at Exeter University she was considered a "competent student doing what was necessary to get by". Then, in 1990 while sitting on a delayed train, the idea for
the Harry Potter story popped into her mind "fully formed". She continued working on this when she moved to Portugal to teach English, where she married a Portuguese television journalist. The marriage was abusive and she left him the following year, taking her newly-born daughter with her. Seven years after graduating from university, Rowling saw
herself as "the biggest failure I knew". Separated from her husband, living in a rented fl at in Edinburgh while looking after her baby, she was diagnosed with clinical depression and even contemplated suicide. Nevertheless, she continued to write in cafes while living on
social security. Once her novel was completed, she had more setbacks. "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone" was rejected by 12 publishers until it was fi nally accepted by Bloomsbury.
The rest we know. She is now worth over $1 billion, she earns over $1.6 million every 3 days, and is the 12th richest woman in the UK. Her story is a reminder to all of us to keep going when the times are tough, because you never know! Do you have a Harry Potter in You? Bernardo Moya
Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.
When she was 13 years old, Oprah Winfrey ran away from home to escape the sexual abuse she suffered from male relatives while her single mother was out at work. As a result of running away, she was sent to a juvenile detention home, only to be denied admission because the beds were full. By age 14 she was on her own, an unstable, sexually-
promiscuous and pregnant teenager. Life got worse when her baby boy died in infancy. Things began to turn around when she started living with
her father, Vernon Winfrey. A strict disciplinarian, he gave his daughter the secure home life she needed. At age 17, Oprah Winfrey won the Miss Black Tennessee
beauty pageant and was offered a job at a radio station serving the African American community in Nashville. She also won a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored in Speech Communications and Performing Arts. She rose to become one of the most wealthy and infl uential broadcasters in the US. Forbes' international rich list reveals Winfrey to be the fi rst black woman billionaire in world history. Worth $2.7 billion, she is also the richest self-made woman in America.
Getting the right supportive environment, along with a big dose of determination really can take you anywhere. Despite all her earlier difficulties, she persevered. Thanks to her strength and her dad's guidance, she overcame it all. Bernardo Moya
Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.