Cara-Leigh Ashton O'Shea was born on 20 December 2001, the youngest of four siblings.

 

Cara-Leigh is one of South Africa's youngest published authors and was first published at the age of 12 and choreographed the dance routines for Karien Beyleveld Modelling and Drama course 2011 at age 9.

 

When Cara-Leigh was very little, she liked to make up her own stories. The first book that she ever wrote was titled 'The Thing Under My Bed' which she wrote when she was just 8 years of age. This was when the girls' mother realized that Cara-Leigh had the potential to become an author. The book has not yet been published because the author wants to change the ending.

Cara-Leigh quoted at the book launch of 'Cammy the Witch' that "I like to change the endings of other people's stories if I don't like them."

This has created a lot of inspiration for her writing, the author replied.

"I take a story that I have read and decide what I would rather have done to make my reader enjoy it more."

From a young age, Cara-Leigh loved reading. Her mother, Linda, often took her to the libraray, even before Cara-Leigh could read and she would read the stories to her. Cara-Leigh has always been a bit of a dreamer, which sometimes causes problems for her sister. 
When Cara-Leigh could read, she entered every reading competition the City Library held, placing first in her third year. 
"I love to let my imagination fly" was what Cara-Leigh had to say about her wild imagination.

 

Cara-Leigh explained at the 'Cammy the Witch' series book launch that there is so much to get inspiration from such as other people, pictures, movies, books, music; even shapes in the clouds. 
Some her favourite books include: 'Written in the Stars' by Sarah Ball and the 'Undead' series  by Mary Janice Davidson.
When she was younger, she enjoyed the 'Goosebumps' series by R.L. Stine, 'The Naughty Fairies' by Lucy Mayflower and 'My Sister the Vampire' series by Sienna Mercer.

 

Cara-Leigh O'Shea wrote the 'Cammy the Witch' series at the age of 12.

Cara-Leigh is grateful towards her writing as this has provided her with the privilege to meet other authors such as Marita van der Vyver and Sabatha-mpho Mokae.

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In 2011, Cara-Leigh started taking ballet with the Christine Compton Dance Academy, under the Royal Academy of Dance. In the last six years, Cara-Leigh has progressed her style into a magical art form. In 2016 she started Modern Dance at the same school under the dance company, the I.R.D.T. In 2017, Cara-Leigh scored 98% in her Modern Exams, scoring the highest in her class.

 

In 2017, Cara-Leigh expanded her talents into the acting field. She had lead roles as well as extras in her older sister, Ashleigh's, films. She hopes to pursue a career in musical theatre as well as become a Prima Ballerina.

 

While her love for reading and writing grew, Cara-Leigh began to develop a keen interest in drawing, which she has now developed into a sucessful art form in just three years. She has won awards for several of her art pieces, and some have even gone international. She has illustrated her own books as well as other authors which include 'Dimpho and the Crocodile' which she co-wrote with her older sister, Ashleigh, and 'Snowlanta' by Linda O'Shea.