\'The Importance of Words\'

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Author William Fiennes will visit Dundee next week to discuss his award-winning books and First Story, the groundbreaking scheme he founded to get young people interested in writing.

Fiennes, whose latest book, The Music Room, has received critical acclaim, will discuss 'The Importance of Words', the latest installment in the University of Dundee?s Saturday Evening Lecture Series.

The Music Room is the story of his childhood, a tribute to his late brother Richard, and an enquiry into the nature of the brain. It has been described as ?beautifully written, and by turns lyrical, nostalgic and surprising?. His previous book, The Snow Geese, won several awards, and he has written for several newspapers and magazines.

Fiennes? passion for writing, creating and reading lead to him set up First Story, alongside teacher Katie Waldergave. This pioneering project sees Fiennes and other authors placed within challenging secondary schools, working with pupils to develop their writing skills and creativity, and publishing anthologies of their stories.

They also arrange events where the students, aged between 14 and 18, read their work aloud. Fiennes explained that his talk will alternate between his book and his experiences of First Story.

'I?ll be talking about my approach to writing, and the experience of writing these two books,' he said. 'I?ll be trying to weave this in with the story of First Story, and the challenges of working within secondary schools.'

'It has been one of the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I started First Story four years ago, and it?s been constantly surprising and moving. As soon as you start engaging with young writers, you begin to see the full scope of their imaginations. The boost to their confidence is amazing and it?s really exciting to see their writing skills develop.'

'I always go away from these workshops feeling excited and uplifted by the experiences and more enthusiastic about writing, and the power of storytelling, than ever before.'

'There?s often a sense, among the kids, that somehow the world of books doesn?t belong to them. Often they are embarrassed to say they enjoy reading and writing because these are solitary activities that aren?t seen as being cool. We want to get kids involved in writing and show how much fun it can be.

'Fourteen writers are now involved in the scheme, working at schools in London and Oxford, and they all say the same - that this is a really rewarding project to be involved in, and that you can see how much the kids get out of it, and how their writing improves.'

'I would absolutely love to see the scheme expanded north of the border, and I?ve some writer friends up in Scotland who would be keen to get involved.'

The popular Saturday Evening Lecture Series - now in its 86th year - is Scotland's oldest continuous free public lecture series, and attracts thousands of people each year to hear from prestigious, world-class speakers.

William Fiennes will be discussing The Importance of Words at the Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Saturday, February 13th. A drinks reception and book signing will follow.

Free tickets can be accessed through the University?s online store or by contacting the Events office on 01382 385564.

For media enquiries contact:

Grant Hill Press Officer University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN

TEL: 01382 384768 E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk MOBILE: 07854 953277