JULY'S edition of
Writing Magazine carried my usual
Beginners page, this one headed
'Tomayto, Tomahto' and covers the question of language.
This is not a reminder not to swear (although a book is never enhanced much by excessive bad language) but a reminder that you might be aiming at an audience not entirely familiar with your version of terminology. This is especially applicable to the US market.
With our ebooks selling around the globe, and reaching parts never available in the age of paper books only, we have to remember that terminology doesn't always travel well. While in the UK we are exposed to much US terminology through books, films and TV, the same doesn't always hold true going the other way.
The short answer is to check with your publisher if you have one, to see what their approach is, and whether they will have their editor make appropriate amendments to language.
If you do it all yourself, however, it's pretty much down to you. You might decide to use an American editor (or one versed in that market) to check your manuscript before publishing. If not, try to work on the basis that your characters should 'speak' in their own language. Nothing grates to a reader quite like a character using words that simply don't travel that easily.
As an example, I heard a British TV reporter recently use the word 'gotten', which sounded wrong on a number of counts, and took my attention entirely away from what they were saying.
And that;s something you don't want happening to one of your readers...
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LOCK-DOWN REMINDER
Just a word of caution to those writers stuck in lock-down with time on your hands. This opportunity will, if we're very fortunate, NEVER happen again. Take the chance while it's there to get on with your writing.
- It's what you've always dreamed of doing.
- You have ideas for a book, article, short story, play or poem.
- You might have projects in the bottom drawer or the bowels of your computer.
- The thought of ditching the day job is probably more attractive than it ever was.
- The day full lock-down ends, you'll wish you'd done something constructive.
So why wait? Pull out those ideas, projects and dreams and use the free time to build, finish or enhance something you can submit.
Remember, publishing may have had a hiccup, but it hasn't stopped. Publishers and agents need to find new voices to hit the ground running, and readers are eager for new authors.
One of them could be you.
Good luck!
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