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.
Tag Archives: plot
The Hidden Machinery (research review)
View this post on Instagram The Hidden Machinery: Essays on Writing by Margot Livesey (2017) makes me feel like a writer. Why? Because when I read it I am filled with a sense of recognition: I recognise the peculiar writery … Continue reading
Posted in Becoming a writer, The Writing Process
Tagged characters, fiction, planning, plot, point of view, style
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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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The Joy of Writing Sex (research review)
View this post on Instagram I read The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide for Fiction Writers by Elizabeth Benedict (revised edition 2001) on Kindle, which may accounts for the boring cover image. Sorry about that – and apologies also … Continue reading
Posted in Research, The Writing Process
Tagged characters, plot, romance, style, women, writing problems, writing techniques
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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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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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On writing only what you know
The best way to end up with something dead on the page? Write only what you know. Continue reading
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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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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In praise of … iThoughts
iThoughts: intuitive, adaptable – and the pleasing graphics, colours and gentle sound effects give a nice little dopamine hit 😉 Continue reading
