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#HistFicThursdays - Medical History (specifically thyroids!)

 This week has been a mad one. Close to the start of the Christmas period, we found out that Mum would be having a thyroidectomy on Candlemas (the final day of the Christmas season). Of course, this was not enough to spoil Christmas. As readers of this blog are no doubt aware, Christmas happens in a big way in this house. But when the day finally arrived it was nonetheless met with, if not fear, definite nervousness. I'm pleased to say that the procedure seems to have been a great success! And wouldn't it have been? Thyroid treatment has been developing for over four thousand years. You know me - somewhat obsessed with putting doctors, nurses, physicians and surgeons in my historical fiction - I made a (very brief) wander into the realms of researching the topic. I was surprised by the results. The earliest I could find a reference to treatments for thyroid issues (in this instance a goitre) came in 2697BC, when the legendary Yellow Emperor recorded the use of seaweed in treati...

#HistFicThursdays - Just a Little Thank You: You Are Awesome!

 I can't believe we are almost at the end of #HistFicMay! I have had a fabulous time and feel like I have made many new discoveries in the realm of Historical Fiction.

Finding your place as a writer can be really difficult, but when you have a great network behind you it is a hundred times easier! If you have found this blog you will know that my family - a family full of writers! - are my closest team, but I could not have achieved all I have today without the support and help of the fabulous Historical Writers Forum.

I created #HistFicMay because I wanted to give something back to my network of fellow historical writers. I hope I have done just that!

So, please have a look at the #HistFicMay tag across social media. We're on Twitter/X - Facebook - BlueSky - Instagram - Threads - and perhaps other platforms which I'm not a part of. I promise you that you will find fabulous writers with incredible books.

Writers, there is a fabulous network for historical fiction. I can't stress strongly enough how great it is to connect with your peers. We are all in this crazy world of storytelling together. It's brilliant being a writer, but it is also pretty tough - let no one tell you otherwise - which is why it's so great to find kindred spirits!

[Next year's prompts will be appearing next April 😁]

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