“Education has changed my life”
Mark began his journey with the OU whilst serving a life-sentence in prison. Through his studies he discovered a passion for learning and since his release…
Browsing: Arts
‘It’s the reason I’m a novelist’ – award-winning children’s author talks about studying with the OU
M. G. Leonard, award-winning author of bestselling children’s book series, Beetle Boy achieved a BA Degree in English Literature nearly 12 years ago. After not enjoying…
How to write a novel – four fiction writers on Danielle Steel’s insane working day
Sarah Corbett, Lancaster University; David Bishop, Edinburgh Napier University; Edward Hogan, The Open University, and Liam Murray Bell, University of Stirling writing for The Conversation. She…
Globalisation was rife in the 16th century – clues from Renaissance paintings
Leah Clark, The Open University,writing for The Conversation. For many, the Renaissance was the revival or “rebirth” of Western classical antiquity, associated with great artists painting…
Shakespeare: research blows away stereotypes and reveals teenagers actually love the Bard
When you think of inner-city teenagers, what springs to mind? For many, it’s hoodies, video games – and probably hating Shakespeare. But my research proves that…
Imperfect and absurd, the modern literary heroine is a woman of our times
Sally O’Reilly, Lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University discusses how the female characters in the books that we read are changing. The way women…
Books are delightful as they are – don’t fall in the trap of competitive reading
“My happiest times in childhood were spent reading the books of E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis and Joan Aiken. Preferring to read in hidden corners where nobody…
50 words for 50 years
As we commence a year of celebrating our 50th anniversary, we’re hooking into National Storytelling Week with a literary competition for all the wordsmiths out there.…
Silent Night: the story of the carol that put a war on pause
Dr Martin Clarke, Lecturer in Music at The Open University discusses the history of one of the most famous Christmas carols of our time – Silent…
Bibliotherapy: how reading and writing have been healing trauma since World War I
Bibliotherapy – the idea that reading can have a beneficial effect on mental health – has undergone a resurgence. There is mounting clinical evidence that reading…
