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, Modernism, tea, roses, and unrealistic romance. NHS midwife in a former life.
Tag Archives: historical novel
Writing history: getting it right
The Prime Directive applies to writers of historical fiction as well as starship captains. We both have the power to change the face of history. Continue reading
Posted in Research
Tagged characters, historical novel, planning, soldiers, suffragettes, WW1 or FWW
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What readers want from historical fiction
My job is to tell a bloody good story set in a world that conveys “a sense of historical truth”. Continue reading
Hilary Mantel on the “deception” of empowering female characters in history
Characters should operate within the ethical framework of their day – even if this shocks readers. Continue reading
The problem with historical fiction
The challenges of portraying the “strangeness” of a different era. Continue reading
15 minutes
I need to go back to basics. What does my heroine want? What is the “hook”? What is my USP? Continue reading
Posted in Getting published
Tagged elevator pitch, historical novel, literary agent, publisher, synopsis, writers' problems
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The beginning of the end
The private, special, potent months of pregnancy are over and the kid’s arrived and it’s time to man up. Continue reading
Inspiration strikes (but how? and why?)
This time last week, I was in Spain, staying in a small hotel in Grenada. The room was tiny, the floor space almost filled with bed, miniature chair, spindly bedside table, and odd piece of furniture made up of many tiny drawers … Continue reading
Tinker’s shuffle
The importance of being open to surprise and being ready to learn from the unexpected. Continue reading
Portrait of an unknown woman
It took me a long time to really see my heroine in my mind. Continue reading
A sense of duty
One of the first things I had to sort out when I started writing was what really motivates my heroine. Continue reading
