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.
- 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 - Accessory
With the arrival of June – and some warmer weather – the season of weddings, garden parties, and events like Royal Ascot has arrived. Time to get dressed up, maybe shop for some new outfits. And don’t forget that you’ll need today’s word to match or coordinate with your finery: an accessory or two. The Continue reading...Category: Time Travel Tuesday - 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 - Spend a PennyRecently I was reading a fascinating blog post from author Deb Marlowe about The Great Exhibition of 1851. It was at the Exhibition that the world’s first pay-to-use toilets were introduced, with visitors parting with a penny to use the facilities. This little nugget of knowledge got me wondering if this was when the euphemistic Continue reading...Category: Time Travel Tuesday
- 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 - Dance FloorI’m currently indulging in a Regency Romance where the scene of the hero and heroine’s first meeting is at a ball, as is not unusual in a book of that genre. He invites her to dance, and they make their way to the area in the centre of the ballroom, which the author refers to Continue reading...Category: Time Travel Tuesday
- Clothing: British vs. North American Terms
“I want you all to walk down the staircase in your pants and suspenders.” This instruction from the female photographer rather shocked our very British friend and his groomsmen during the pre-wedding photoshoot on the day he and his Canadian wife married in her hometown. “Pants” and “suspenders” have rather different meanings in the UK Continue reading...Category: All Things British - 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 - Mum’s the Word“You won’t tell anyone, will you?”“Of course not. Mum’s the word.” Have you, like me, ever wondered where this strange little expression comes from? For most of us Brits, “mum” is what we call our mothers, so is this idiom related to the fact that mothers are supposed to be good at keeping secrets? Some Continue reading...Category: Time Travel Tuesday
- 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 - HeistAs I edit a lot of crime fiction, today’s word is one that I come across regularly. The villains commit an armed robbery, make off with huge sums of money or valuable objects, maybe leave behind a dead body or two. It’s up to the sleuth or detectives to follow the clues and bring those Continue reading...Category: Time Travel Tuesday
- 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