Richard Williams was bought up in Rhosgoch in the north of Anglesey, but has lived in Llangefni for the past 50 years. Richard is an author and likes to write history books.
Richard has written about Welsh heroes in 'Mwy o Arwyr Cymru', an Advanced-level book in the Amdani series for Welsh learners.
Here's a little more about Richard...
When did your interest in history begin?
My father was a historian, and he was a huge influence on me. He taught me that people's history is important. I didn't really enjoy the subject at secondary school but when I moved to Llangefni, I joined a History evening class. Gwilym Trefor Jones, a lecturer at Bangor University, led the class and I really enjoyed it. Gwilym specialised in the history and geography of Anglesey.
Who or what encouraged you to publish your first book?
I read about a girl from Anglesey who moved to Australia in 1842, and I managed to contact her descendants in Tasmania. Not many people in Wales knew about her, so I wrote her story. The work was published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch and since then, I have published several history books.
What’s your advice to someone who wants to start writing history / educational books?
My advice would be to go for it and keep an eye out for potential subjects. Welsh history and Welsh culture are full of possibilities and a good place to start. You need to undertake thorough research.
You must be careful with spelling and always have a dictionary and J. Elwyn Hughes’s language guidelines to hand. I also find it important to talk to other writers and read their work.
Don't be discouraged if the first publisher isn’t interested - try another. The most important thing is to enjoy the work, and everything that stems from it.
Are there any books in the pipeline?
No, nothing definite, but I would like to publish a book about Oradour-sur-Glane, France during the Second World War.
