Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Okay... this is probably gonna sound really, really... I mean really dumb. But, as a newbie I'm feelin like it's one that falls into the "no question is stupid" category. So feel free to give it to me straight:
How do you define fiction?
I'm submitting a work in a 'fiction' competition that is based on an historical event. The specific event is referred to and detailed throughout, however, the main character as well as the crucial storyline are both entirely fictionalized. Would such a submission fit the description of "fiction?"

probably. i mean, if that wasn't fiction, historical fiction would be something else. something not fiction.

How do you define fiction?

Fiction is truth wrapped in a lie.

Fiction is an imitation of reality subtlely contrived so as to reach maximum dramatic effect, not much different from creative nonfiction either, per se. Story is an imitation of reality subtely contrived so as to reach maximum dramatic effect. History records an imitation of reality subtlely contrived so as to reach maximum propoganda effect.