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Iain Banks talks writing, world events and Mastermind Featuring Video
The Open University
Author Iain Banks talks to the OU's Derek Neale about the digitisation of books, his writing process, the impact of world events on his work... Read more : Iain Banks talks writing, world events and Mastermind
OU on the BBC: In Their Own Words
Evelyn Waugh being interviewed [BBC]
BBC Four opens the archive as authors discuss their works - in their own words. Read more : OU on the BBC: In Their Own Words
20th century authors: making the connections Featuring Activity
In this interactive, discover the connections between authors as we join the dots of the literary landscape of 20th century Britain. Read more : 20th century authors: making the connections
In Their Own Words: British Novelists - free booklet
The Open University
BBC Four opens the archive as authors discuss their works - in their own words. Order your free guide. Read more : In Their Own Words: British Novelists - free booklet
BBC Four in their own words
Discover more about In Their Own Words: British Novelists on BBC Four. Read more : BBC Four in their own words
The rise of the minority voice
BBC
The Open University's Nicholas Foxton explores the story of how minority voices came to enrich and save British fiction from 1970 onwards Read more : The rise of the minority voice
Age of anxiety
BBC
The OU's Dr Stephenie Forward looks at 20th century literature from 1946 to 1969 as In Their Own Words: British Novelists explores the 'age of... Read more : Age of anxiety
The brave new world of modernism
By annethelibrarian via Flickr under Creative Commons licence
Dr Peter Lawson explores modernism in preparation for the first episode of In Their Own Words: British Novelists which will cover the ruins of war Read more : The brave new world of modernism
Hanif Kuerishi on... narrative Featuring Audio
BBC
In programme two, we heard from Hanif Kureishi about the process of narrative. You can hear more of the interview here. He started by talking... Read more : Hanif Kuerishi on... narrative
Sarah Dunant on... writing a thriller Featuring Audio
BBC
In the last of our series of more in-depth interviews with some of the guests from Ian McMillan's Writing Lab, Sarah Dunant talks about the... Read more : Sarah Dunant on... writing a thriller
Howard Jacobson on... creating characters Featuring Audio
Jenny Jacobson
Howard Jacobson explains why your strongest inspiration for character is probably wearing your trousers, in this exclusive extended interview for Writing Lab. Read more : Howard Jacobson on... creating characters
Writing tips: Write what you want to read
Jupiter Images
Advice on becoming a writer: write what you want to read, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab Read more : Writing tips: Write what you want to read
BBC Archives
BBC
This collection of interviews reveals the imaginations and personalities which lie behind some of the greatest modern novels. Read more : BBC Archives
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C. S. Lewis
Well, I have learnt something today. I had imagined the Chronicles of Narnia were written in the order they are now presented in. Kathy