Write path for Dornoch author
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A DORNOCH teenager has been selected to take part in this year’s What’s Your Story? programme, run by the Scottish Book Trust to help young people develop their writing skills.
Nicole Foreman (17) will join six other young Scottish writers and illustrators on the programme.
Now in its fourth year, the scheme has so far assisted more than 20 young people from across Scotland to develop writing, illustration and performance projects.
Participants were selected on the enthusiasm and dedication they expressed for teenage participation in creative and literary culture.
Nicole is a short-story writer who hopes to spend her time on the programme developing her short-story writing skills.
Nicole is inspired by classic gothic horror novellas and also more modern abstract stories. She favours the form of short stories, as it is a unique way to express important themes and build an atmosphere in a few pages.
She will be mentored by Helen McClory, author of Mayhem and Death and On the Edges of Vision.
The young people recently received an induction programme with The National Library of Scotland, where they had the opportunity to research their chosen subject and gain inspiration for their personal creative works.
They have also taken part in a wee long retreat at Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s creative writing centre, where they had dedicated time with their mentors.
As part of the What’s Your Story?, the participants will plan and host StoryCon 2019, Scotland’s biggest creative writing and illustration conference for young people. Last year, this took place in Glasgow and was attended by over 100 young people.
The young people will have the opportunity to preview their creative projects at a showcase event, wrapping up the work they have completed during the What’s Your Story? programme. Industry experts will train the young people to express their work in front of a live audience, with the use of music and images.
Nicole said: “Living in the rural Highlands, there is little opportunity to work with other young people in the creative industries, which is something I feel is very important.
“Therefore, I decided to apply for What’s Your Story? because of my love for writing, but also to be able to work with other young people with the same passion.
“I want to encourage others to become involved in writing and illustrating and I feel that it is vital that the arts are kept alive by the young people of Scotland.”
Marc Lambert, of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We are grateful to our funders, for making this programme possible, and also to our mentors for providing life-changing support and advice to the young people.”
