H M Hulme
Writer of literary historical fiction set in the First World War. Revising my first book, writing the next, seeking representation. Rather chuffed to be long-listed for Historical Writers Association Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition 2019. Mountaineer, gardener, traveller, reader. Africa, modern history, coffee, roses, and unrealistic romance. NHS midwife in a former life.
Category Archives: Revising and Editing
The honest editor and cognitive bias
In a previous life, I facilitated training sessions on managing obstetric emergencies; clinical skills, teamwork, leadership, decision-making and so on. One of the features of effective decision-making is the awareness of cognitive biases and so we discussed the problems that … Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing, The Writing Process
Tagged characters, feedback, planning, plot, style, writers, writers' problems, writing problems
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Becoming a writer
I believe I have mentioned my bruising editorial review of The White Lady? It took me nearly three weeks to pluck up courage to read the review properly (my initial reading was a watching-from-behind-the-sofa sort of affair in which I … Continue reading
Posted in Becoming a writer, Revising and Editing, The Writing Process
Tagged characters, feedback, planning, plot, style, writers' problems
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Silver linings
A reality check – and a timely nudge to be more flexible in my thinking. Continue reading
Getting started with beta readers
If a friend offers to read your book, smile sadly and explain at length what an onerous and tedious task this would be. Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing
Tagged beta readers, feedback, plot, Revising and Editing
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Accepting the inevitable
I’ve now accepted the inevitable. I’m writing a love story. Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Revising and Editing
Tagged plot, Revising and Editing, romance, writing exercise
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In praise of … BetaBooks
Joining BetaBooks was a game-changer in my embryonic career; the moment when I came out as a writer and actually let people read my story. Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing
Tagged beta readers, feedback, readers, Revising and Editing, writing resources
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Less is more
My original aim was to write a feminist social history of early 20th century England focusing on the contribution of militant suffragists with additional modules on rural deprivation, mental illness, and temperate climate horticultural. Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing, The Writing Process
Tagged planning, plot, Revising and Editing, writing problems
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Aristotle, Cinderella, and the Three Act Structure
The Three Act Structure is one of those writery rules we should know – even if we’re going to be terrible brave and alternative and break it. Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing, The Writing Process
Tagged planning, plot, Revising and Editing, writing problems, writing techniques
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Question time
Writing your Bestseller by Bernard Cornwell, Historical Novel Society (1997!) I seem to get something new out of this article every time I come across it on Twitter. Today, I focused in on Cornwall’s advice on story-telling: Every good story … Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing
Tagged characters, plot, Revising and Editing, writing problems
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Despair and despondency
These summer months were supposed to be a time of editing and elaboration, fact-checking and polishing but with every book and blog I read I feel a growing sense of inadequacy and futility. Continue reading
Posted in Revising and Editing
Tagged characters, point of view, war, writers' problems
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