Helen Johnson, Yorkshire Writer

Helen Johnson Freelance Writer

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Category Archives: Fiction

Story telling

 

Writing Distinctive Dialogue

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Helen Johnson

A creative writing exercise in identifying characters by the way they speak Every individual has their own unique speech pattern. Hence, distinctive speech is a valuable way of showing characterisation, Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, writing, writing craft skills

Memorable historical novels of 2023

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Helen Johnson

Some of the more memorable books I’ve reviewed this year. A selection of memorable Historical Novel Reviews of the year As a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, and a Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews

Creative Writing exercise: Fictional settings to draw readers in

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Helen Johnson
we writers can learn from masters of the craft

When writing fiction, it’s important to set the scene, to portray the setting. But long descriptions can bore readers. Therefore, I’ve been considering how to describe setting, but writing to Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing craft skills

Writing Flash Fiction – Hints and Tips

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Helen Johnson

I’ve been writing flash fiction for seven years now, and find it a great way to hone skills. I don’t worry about publishing it, I just use it as a Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing, writing craft skills

Creative writing exercise: crafting an antagonist who readers will REALLY hate

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Helen Johnson
Creative writing, building your antagonist

Bigging up the Bad Guy– or Gal When I googled the question: how to make readers really hate my Bad Guy/Gal, antagonist, or villain, I got a range of suggestions, Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing, writing craft skills

New Novel, New Research: Viking medicine

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Helen Johnson
11th Century healing and medicine

New year, a fresh start, and, one of my favourite parts of a new historical novel: the research. My latest story features an Anglo-Scandinavian woman healer living in 11th century Continue Reading →

Posted in 11th Century, Fiction, History and Archaeology | Tagged 11th century, fiction, historical fiction, History and Archaeology, Women's history

A creative writing exercise on subtext in dialogue – because real people don’t say what they mean.

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Helen Johnson
creative writing exercises are like writerly gym

Helen Johnson gives tips and tricks for writing subtext in dialogue. Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing, writing craft skills

Historical Novels Review August 2021 issue

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Helen Johnson

Historical Novels Review is out in print and online. Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews

Creative writing exercise: surprise

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Helen Johnson

Helen Johnson shares an exercise in creative writing technique, for suprise. Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, Short Stories, writing craft skills

Genres in Genres

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Helen Johnson
A range of genres on my bookcase

I’ve always enjoyed reading widely, never sticking to one genre, as you can see from this snapshot of one of my bookcases.  And now, as a reviewer for the Historical Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction, Journalism | Tagged fiction, historical fiction, journalism, Reviews

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