Recently I was back at Taitung University, to talk to students about my work in writing and social change, and to explore how writing can effect both both large and small changes in the world.

I really enjoyed introducing my books, writing and the work I do at Wind&Bones. Alongside Wind&Bones co-director I then led students in a workshop exploring the power of words to bring about transformation. Starting from the simple question — “When have other people’s words led to changes in your perspective or in your life?” — we told, wrote and shared stories about the power of stories.

This was my second visit to the university. As before, the students were incredibly engaged. The writing they produced was powerful and moving, and they asked a lot of thought-provoking questions. It was also wonderful to catch up with Dr. Ching-Yueh Hsieh, from the Department of Cultural Resources & Leisure Industries, and to be made to feel so welcome in Taitung.

If you haven’t visited yet, you really should. I’m a big fan of the city, so we also took the time to enjoy the incredibly beautiful scenery on Taiwan’s eastern coast, to stroll around Taitung by night, and to eat some extremely tasty food. I’m looking forward to being back again in the future.