Blog Entries
I’m Heather Belleguelle of Behest Fiction Editing. Welcome to my blog! I hope the posts I write will give you some handy tips, information, and ideas to help you on your writing journey.
As a British editor working with authors from both sides of the pond and having spent a year living in Canada myself, I’m very aware of the differences that exist between British and North American life and culture. My hope is that if you aren’t so familiar with all things British, I’ll be able to pass on some tips to help you ensure your British characters and settings are as authentic as possible and that I’ll also be able to introduce you to beautiful Britain.
If you have any questions or subjects you’d like me to consider covering, please drop an email to heather@behest-editing.com or send me a message via the contact form on this website.
- The Giant’s Causeway
Legend has it that long ago, an Irish giant named Finn McCool built a causeway across the Irish Sea to Scotland so that he could accept the challenge of fighting Scottish giant Benandonner. This fascinating natural phenomenon welcomes thousands of visitors every year and became a World Heritage Site in 1986. Whatever the weather, grey Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - The Pier
“Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside!” goes the well-known music hall song of a century ago. Seaside holidays and days out for all, including the working class, were becoming more popular and common, and the entertainment of the pier was very much part of that. The pier as a place to promenade Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - Peacock Butterfly
Summer is in full swing here in the UK, and we’ve already passed the longest day of the year. The gardens and parks are full of colourful flowers and bushes, and the insects, particularly bees and butterflies, are busy visiting those attractive blooms. One of the most common butterflies seen in Britain is the beautiful Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - Castles
One of the many appeals to tourists who visit Britain is the abundance of beautiful and interesting old buildings scattered around the country. Not least of these are the impressive castles, some still inhabited and some ruined, which each come with their own fascinating stories and place in history. The building of castles as we Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - Buckingham Palace
This weekend, with it being the second Saturday in June, the Trooping of the Colour and the King’s Birthday Parade take place. The procession starts from the building in the picture above, Buckingham Palace, surely one of the most famous “homes” in the world. The official residence of the British monarch since the accession of Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - Herbert House, York
One of the aspects of Britain that many visitors from elsewhere in the world find fascinating is the number of old buildings that can be seen around the country. Nearly every town, city, and village has something to offer in the area of architecture from centuries past. Today’s post takes us to the historic city Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - HMS Warrior
As a fairly small island nation, Britain has a strong seafaring past and continues to have a well-respected navy, one that was established as an official entity by King Henry VIII in 1546. Fast forward just over 300 years and the “technological marvel” in today’s picture was launched. In 1860 HMS Warrior was the world’s Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - The Beach
With warm, sunny days having arrived in the UK, more people are heading to the beach as an enjoyable place to spend time outdoors and soak up the sunshine. As an island, Britain is surrounded by water, with the North Sea to the north-east and east, the English Channel to the south, the Irish sea Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - The English Countryside
William Blake’s poem “And did those feet in ancient time”, now probably best known as the hymn “Jerusalem”, refers to “England’s green and pleasant land”. Much of England is very green, and wherever you go, the countryside is pleasing to the eye. Gnarly trees, green fields, sheep and cattle, old stone farmhouses: these and more Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - Bluebells
A month ago, spring was just beginning to spring and we were admiring the primroses. Now we’re well into a favourite season of many British countryside lovers: bluebell season. These pretty little flowers pop up in woodland, often in mass carpets like the ones in today’s picture, creating a feast for the eyes. The native Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - The English Country Church
Nearly every village has one, some older than others. For hundreds of years, the stone-built church has been a feature of the rural community. It’s the place where the milestones of life are marked: christenings of new babies, marriages of both younger and older couples, and farewells to loved ones, many of whom now lie Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain - The Trent Building, University of Nottingham
Once upon a time, many years ago, I studied modern languages in this beautiful building at the University of Nottingham. University College Nottingham was founded in 1881, but it wasn’t until 1928 that it moved from its cramped facilities in the city centre to a spacious new campus in the southwest of the city. At Continue reading...Category: Beautiful Britain