Hiria Dunning
@hiriadunning.com
Claire Hiria Ahuriri-Dunning (she/her/they/them/ia)
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Pākehā
Author, poet, game writer, playwright
Find my work here: hiriadunning.com
Host of #pretendpanel, a weekend writing prompt
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Pākehā
Author, poet, game writer, playwright
Find my work here: hiriadunning.com
Host of #pretendpanel, a weekend writing prompt
Pinned
Happy New Year 🥳
#pretendpanel calendar for January just dropped. I'm thinking about Changes, Growth and Evolution this month. How has your relationship with writing changed over time? Looking forward to finding out ✌️
#pretendpanel calendar for January just dropped. I'm thinking about Changes, Growth and Evolution this month. How has your relationship with writing changed over time? Looking forward to finding out ✌️
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
I used to take a part of me, however small, and use that as the base for my characters, whether that be side or main. I started writing very young and I think that's pretty normal. But I'm at the stage in my life where I (cont) #pretendpanel
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I used to take a part of me, however small, and use that as the base for my characters, whether that be side or main. I started writing very young and I think that's pretty normal. But I'm at the stage in my life where I (cont) #pretendpanel
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
Finally getting to the #pretendpanel questions. My process of creating characters hasn't changed since I started writing. I don't describe them physically (except for plot reasons), but do focused on their actions. It makes for more relatable characters. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Finally getting to the #pretendpanel questions. My process of creating characters hasn't changed since I started writing. I don't describe them physically (except for plot reasons), but do focused on their actions. It makes for more relatable characters. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
This all happens a long time after a short story I wrote in the same universe where two scientists, a human and a Veridian, fall in love. Their story is nothing but sweet, and I imagine no one will suspect that, in my mind, their attempts to have a child leads to all of this mess...
January 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM
This all happens a long time after a short story I wrote in the same universe where two scientists, a human and a Veridian, fall in love. Their story is nothing but sweet, and I imagine no one will suspect that, in my mind, their attempts to have a child leads to all of this mess...
Then a subsequent experiment resulted in a pathogen that lead to a stronger genome in the next generation but wiped a lot of incompatible people out, leading to a civil war.
And then the super deep lore that I will probably never say anywhere but here...?
And then the super deep lore that I will probably never say anywhere but here...?
January 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Then a subsequent experiment resulted in a pathogen that lead to a stronger genome in the next generation but wiped a lot of incompatible people out, leading to a civil war.
And then the super deep lore that I will probably never say anywhere but here...?
And then the super deep lore that I will probably never say anywhere but here...?
Saying this out of context doesn't have the full impact of when she finds out, but her species is in fact a hybrid of humanity and a plant-based alien species. The initial experiment produced a genetic pool vunerable to certain diseases, birth defects, and long-term health conditions.
January 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Saying this out of context doesn't have the full impact of when she finds out, but her species is in fact a hybrid of humanity and a plant-based alien species. The initial experiment produced a genetic pool vunerable to certain diseases, birth defects, and long-term health conditions.
Ahahaha... spoilers in next posts 🤫
January 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Ahahaha... spoilers in next posts 🤫
#critterary
I do have aliens! In a couple places actually. Marys, star of Inheritance (link below), is a sort of half-rose hybrid creature. Having such a delicate body occasionally gets in the way of her job as a private investigator. There are other aliens on the space station where she lives too.
I do have aliens! In a couple places actually. Marys, star of Inheritance (link below), is a sort of half-rose hybrid creature. Having such a delicate body occasionally gets in the way of her job as a private investigator. There are other aliens on the space station where she lives too.
January 12, 2026 at 6:16 AM
#critterary
I do have aliens! In a couple places actually. Marys, star of Inheritance (link below), is a sort of half-rose hybrid creature. Having such a delicate body occasionally gets in the way of her job as a private investigator. There are other aliens on the space station where she lives too.
I do have aliens! In a couple places actually. Marys, star of Inheritance (link below), is a sort of half-rose hybrid creature. Having such a delicate body occasionally gets in the way of her job as a private investigator. There are other aliens on the space station where she lives too.
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
Before, I'd try to make them interesting and eye catching. Some major event that defined them. Now? I go for realism. A bunch of little fucked up things can mold a person into who they are. So can a bunch of little good things. #PretendPanel #writing
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Before, I'd try to make them interesting and eye catching. Some major event that defined them. Now? I go for realism. A bunch of little fucked up things can mold a person into who they are. So can a bunch of little good things. #PretendPanel #writing
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#WritingCommunity #pretendpanel
This has also been a slow process, but I'm trying to make more main characters into their own heroes instead of the wimpy female romcom tender characters they used to be. I'm trying to be more proactive in writing good strong female characters to be their own heroes.
This has also been a slow process, but I'm trying to make more main characters into their own heroes instead of the wimpy female romcom tender characters they used to be. I'm trying to be more proactive in writing good strong female characters to be their own heroes.
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 1:33 AM
#WritingCommunity #pretendpanel
This has also been a slow process, but I'm trying to make more main characters into their own heroes instead of the wimpy female romcom tender characters they used to be. I'm trying to be more proactive in writing good strong female characters to be their own heroes.
This has also been a slow process, but I'm trying to make more main characters into their own heroes instead of the wimpy female romcom tender characters they used to be. I'm trying to be more proactive in writing good strong female characters to be their own heroes.
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
I used to come up with every detail, every stat, before I ever started writing.
The problem I found, for me, was that it limited my freedom to write and discover. It became prescriptive.
Now I come up with the idea of a character and let my writing reveal who they truly are.
#pretendpanel
The problem I found, for me, was that it limited my freedom to write and discover. It became prescriptive.
Now I come up with the idea of a character and let my writing reveal who they truly are.
#pretendpanel
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 12, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I used to come up with every detail, every stat, before I ever started writing.
The problem I found, for me, was that it limited my freedom to write and discover. It became prescriptive.
Now I come up with the idea of a character and let my writing reveal who they truly are.
#pretendpanel
The problem I found, for me, was that it limited my freedom to write and discover. It became prescriptive.
Now I come up with the idea of a character and let my writing reveal who they truly are.
#pretendpanel
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
This is late but I really wanted to think about it some more. I still start my character creation the same way (begin with a monster. make it fuckable and a cinnamon roll on the inside) BUT in the past a lot of what else went into the character was developed during the first draft +
#pretendpanel
#pretendpanel
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 10:57 PM
This is late but I really wanted to think about it some more. I still start my character creation the same way (begin with a monster. make it fuckable and a cinnamon roll on the inside) BUT in the past a lot of what else went into the character was developed during the first draft +
#pretendpanel
#pretendpanel
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
My prose has improved & I'm more willing to try new things stylistically to keep things fresh. Not everything is going to see the light of day, but it's a great exercise. Working in different mediums is also helpful. I know when to borrow from my screenwriting training and when not to. #PretendPanel
#pretendpanel, let's get into the hard questions, shall we?
January 9th: How has your craft evolved lately? (as in, your prose, your structuring, voice and tone, etc)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 9th: How has your craft evolved lately? (as in, your prose, your structuring, voice and tone, etc)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM
My prose has improved & I'm more willing to try new things stylistically to keep things fresh. Not everything is going to see the light of day, but it's a great exercise. Working in different mediums is also helpful. I know when to borrow from my screenwriting training and when not to. #PretendPanel
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
I know more of the questions I should be answering before I dive into the writing, but I think I'm still doing a little bit of exploring while I write, to let the main character (and any character, really) surprise me with what they want, etc. #PretendPanel
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 10:46 PM
I know more of the questions I should be answering before I dive into the writing, but I think I'm still doing a little bit of exploring while I write, to let the main character (and any character, really) surprise me with what they want, etc. #PretendPanel
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#pretendpanel
I used to begin with a self-insert character before becoming more purposeful with creating a backstory and personality. I also used to write primarily in the first person. Experimenting with form and perspective helped a lot. Generating a full story in the first person is very limiting
I used to begin with a self-insert character before becoming more purposeful with creating a backstory and personality. I also used to write primarily in the first person. Experimenting with form and perspective helped a lot. Generating a full story in the first person is very limiting
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 7:57 PM
#pretendpanel
I used to begin with a self-insert character before becoming more purposeful with creating a backstory and personality. I also used to write primarily in the first person. Experimenting with form and perspective helped a lot. Generating a full story in the first person is very limiting
I used to begin with a self-insert character before becoming more purposeful with creating a backstory and personality. I also used to write primarily in the first person. Experimenting with form and perspective helped a lot. Generating a full story in the first person is very limiting
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#pretendpanel My stories always start with the MCs, with everything else being built around them. Character creation is one of my strengths, honed by years of playing ttrpgs. I want to continue branching out / writing more MCs outside my usual archetypes.
#WritingCommunity #Writers #WritingPrompts
#WritingCommunity #Writers #WritingPrompts
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 7:16 PM
#pretendpanel My stories always start with the MCs, with everything else being built around them. Character creation is one of my strengths, honed by years of playing ttrpgs. I want to continue branching out / writing more MCs outside my usual archetypes.
#WritingCommunity #Writers #WritingPrompts
#WritingCommunity #Writers #WritingPrompts
Yay progress 🙌 but also yay for you interpreting that distaste as meaning there's room to grow, rather than letting it dissuade you (as it has dissuaded me many times 😬)
January 12, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Yay progress 🙌 but also yay for you interpreting that distaste as meaning there's room to grow, rather than letting it dissuade you (as it has dissuaded me many times 😬)
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
Little late to the #pretendpanel party here, but...
As I am hunting for snips from Book 2, which I haven't really revised yet, I see how much I've grown. So many things make me wince, which is actually a good thing. It means I know better now. 🧵
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
As I am hunting for snips from Book 2, which I haven't really revised yet, I see how much I've grown. So many things make me wince, which is actually a good thing. It means I know better now. 🧵
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
#pretendpanel, let's get into the hard questions, shall we?
January 9th: How has your craft evolved lately? (as in, your prose, your structuring, voice and tone, etc)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 9th: How has your craft evolved lately? (as in, your prose, your structuring, voice and tone, etc)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Little late to the #pretendpanel party here, but...
As I am hunting for snips from Book 2, which I haven't really revised yet, I see how much I've grown. So many things make me wince, which is actually a good thing. It means I know better now. 🧵
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
As I am hunting for snips from Book 2, which I haven't really revised yet, I see how much I've grown. So many things make me wince, which is actually a good thing. It means I know better now. 🧵
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
The more you develop a character, the more enriched they become. Their actions their dialogue becomes innate. You must know them like the best friend you’ve ever had.
#pretendpanel #writingprompts
#pretendpanel #writingprompts
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 5:14 PM
The more you develop a character, the more enriched they become. Their actions their dialogue becomes innate. You must know them like the best friend you’ve ever had.
#pretendpanel #writingprompts
#pretendpanel #writingprompts
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#PretendPanel my creation of main characters used to be a bit perfunctory, particularly in my teens, me creating roles because I felt obligated to - early sci fi writing with obligatory captain, first officer, etc, even though I had nothing to say with their characters and no reason to have them.
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 6:19 AM
#PretendPanel my creation of main characters used to be a bit perfunctory, particularly in my teens, me creating roles because I felt obligated to - early sci fi writing with obligatory captain, first officer, etc, even though I had nothing to say with their characters and no reason to have them.
It can be such a tricky balance!
January 12, 2026 at 1:11 AM
It can be such a tricky balance!
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#PretendPanel I'm trying to regain a balance between verbosity and pacing; I got way too flowery and word counts per chapter skyrocketed around the end of the aforementioned spitefic, and I think until recently I overcompensated in the other direction after a while, which felt very bland.
#pretendpanel, let's get into the hard questions, shall we?
January 9th: How has your craft evolved lately? (as in, your prose, your structuring, voice and tone, etc)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 9th: How has your craft evolved lately? (as in, your prose, your structuring, voice and tone, etc)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 6:05 AM
#PretendPanel I'm trying to regain a balance between verbosity and pacing; I got way too flowery and word counts per chapter skyrocketed around the end of the aforementioned spitefic, and I think until recently I overcompensated in the other direction after a while, which felt very bland.
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#PretendPanel Well the characters actually have uh. personalities.
My teenage stuff was more focused on worldbuilding or spaceships or both, resulting in a completely absent focus on characters. Then I spent a few years writing a spitefic which let me do neither so I got fiendish about characters.
My teenage stuff was more focused on worldbuilding or spaceships or both, resulting in a completely absent focus on characters. Then I spent a few years writing a spitefic which let me do neither so I got fiendish about characters.
#pretendpanel, thanks for your answers yesterday. It's a journey, and I love to see all the different stages among us.
January 3rd: How has your work evolved in terms of subject matter (e.g. setting, premise, vibes) since your earlier writings?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 3rd: How has your work evolved in terms of subject matter (e.g. setting, premise, vibes) since your earlier writings?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 6:02 AM
#PretendPanel Well the characters actually have uh. personalities.
My teenage stuff was more focused on worldbuilding or spaceships or both, resulting in a completely absent focus on characters. Then I spent a few years writing a spitefic which let me do neither so I got fiendish about characters.
My teenage stuff was more focused on worldbuilding or spaceships or both, resulting in a completely absent focus on characters. Then I spent a few years writing a spitefic which let me do neither so I got fiendish about characters.
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
ARGH I'M LATE-
#PretendPanel I dunno if "career" is the word but its roots come from tiny school me writing crappy little notebook stories about flying snakes and drawing maps and spaceships. Had a brief obsession with amphisbaenae. All because I read The Belgariad and went 'shit, I could do this!'
#PretendPanel I dunno if "career" is the word but its roots come from tiny school me writing crappy little notebook stories about flying snakes and drawing maps and spaceships. Had a brief obsession with amphisbaenae. All because I read The Belgariad and went 'shit, I could do this!'
Welcome to January, #pretendpanel! I want to hear all about your change/growth/evolution as a writer over time. People often forget what a journey it is!
January 2nd: What do you consider to be the beginning of your writing career?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 2nd: What do you consider to be the beginning of your writing career?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 5:59 AM
ARGH I'M LATE-
#PretendPanel I dunno if "career" is the word but its roots come from tiny school me writing crappy little notebook stories about flying snakes and drawing maps and spaceships. Had a brief obsession with amphisbaenae. All because I read The Belgariad and went 'shit, I could do this!'
#PretendPanel I dunno if "career" is the word but its roots come from tiny school me writing crappy little notebook stories about flying snakes and drawing maps and spaceships. Had a brief obsession with amphisbaenae. All because I read The Belgariad and went 'shit, I could do this!'
Reposted by Hiria Dunning
#PretendPanel Creation of characters
In a lot of ways, a character comes to me almost completely formed. Or the parts of the character form so quickly based on instinct that it doesn't seem planned. But lately I take more time to meditate on motivation and things that would cause a character arc.
In a lot of ways, a character comes to me almost completely formed. Or the parts of the character form so quickly based on instinct that it doesn't seem planned. But lately I take more time to meditate on motivation and things that would cause a character arc.
#pretendpanel, maybe this has changed for you, or maybe not! But either way, I'm keen to know...
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 10th: How has your creation of main characters evolved over time?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 11, 2026 at 5:27 AM
#PretendPanel Creation of characters
In a lot of ways, a character comes to me almost completely formed. Or the parts of the character form so quickly based on instinct that it doesn't seem planned. But lately I take more time to meditate on motivation and things that would cause a character arc.
In a lot of ways, a character comes to me almost completely formed. Or the parts of the character form so quickly based on instinct that it doesn't seem planned. But lately I take more time to meditate on motivation and things that would cause a character arc.