Thursday 12 April 2018

History and Fiction – Finding the Balance with Richard Buxton

Richard Buxton web

Where does an author draw the line between accurately representing history and writing compelling fiction? It’s an issue peculiar to historical fiction writers. Richard will involve the audience in exploring the differing approaches of published authors, as well as draw on his own experience of using real events, people and places to inspire imagination.
Richard will also examine the use and misuse of believable detail in a historical setting. How much is just enough? How to research? Finally, there will be an exercise designed to invoke the feel of a period without employing cliché.

Richard Buxton writes historical fiction in both the short and long form. His short stories have won the Exeter Story Prize, the Bedford Writing Competition and the Nivalis Award. His self-published novel, Whirligig, was shortlisted for the Rubery International Book Award. He is a graduate of the Chichester Creative Writing Masters’ programme.