Hi There,

First, I’d like to say that I adore your writing and you’re the reason that I now read historical fiction profusely. I’m starting to attempt it myself within my undergrad writing degree in an English university and I’m working on a short story that I hope to expand about the invasion of Lindisfarne. However, I’m writing an accompanying critical piece concerning the nature of research within historical fiction as a genre. I would like to explore the ideas that you have to do far more research than you include, that it ultimately needs to feel real and believable, even if you forsake some of the truth and that with a subject like Lindisfarne, there is only so much fact to uncover and most of the historical sources were written by the English and not the Norsemen.

Gosh, this question became long. Sorry about that, I just wanted to know if there is anything small you could say regarding these topics that I would be able to quote you on in my essay. A direct source would be wonderful!

Thank you,
Emma