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Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
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Author:  Cain [ November 6th, 2012, 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
My NaNoWriMo novel for this year is set in the United Kingdom, and most of the main characters are from the London area.

I'm having trouble deciding whether I should only use British terms in the dialogue, or whether I should also use it in the text. They've got some trucks that they're driving, and I read in my schoolwork somewhere that people from the U.K. tend to call the hoods 'bonnets'.

So, that said, should I only use British terms in the text or no?

*hopes the answer isn't totally obvious, thus making it so she had no reason to post here other than her own ignorance*
Author:  Riahjoy [ November 6th, 2012, 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
Hmmm... I'm not sure I can be of help, but I will be watching this thread for tips since my NaNoWriMo novel is set in Africa. :D
Author:  Lady Elanor [ November 6th, 2012, 12:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
We do say 'under the bonnet'. :D

I guess it would be more authentic if you wrote it in the British style, but you might be best just writing it, and changing things after if you wanted to. If you feel that you're going to miss things and have it half American and half British I'd just leave it, because it might end up being a bit messy then. :)
Author:  Cain [ November 6th, 2012, 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
Lady Elanor Mimetes wrote:
We do say 'under the bonnet'. :D

I guess it would be more authentic if you wrote it in the British style, but you might be best just writing it, and changing things after if you wanted to. If you feel that you're going to miss things and have it half American and half British I'd just leave it, because it might end up being a bit messy then. :)


Good point. I think I might try writing it all in the British style; it'll definitely make it a lot less messy.
Author:  Mistress Kidh [ November 7th, 2012, 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
I don't live in Britain, however I do live in Ireland (which shares some amount of culture with Britain), and I have found that there are a lot of phrases that are different here. I would say it would be best to try and make it British authentic, because it does really give a spice of 'you actually know what you're talking about' to the book. :) I have read American books set in Britain that even I (who lived in America most of my life) was a bit annoyed at because they were writing like an American instead of a Brit.

Some other terms are 'boot' instead of 'trunk', 'torch' instead of 'flashlight', 'biscuits' instead of 'cookies', and so on. There are a lot. :) I wouldn't be the best person to ask for a fuller list, though, because I might get Irish words and phrases mixed in. (Of course, if someone wants to know about Irish words and phrases, then I would be a good person to ask.)
Author:  BushMaid [ November 7th, 2012, 5:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
We say 'bonnet', 'boot', 'torch', and 'biscuits'. :D I have run into this problem a little when writing stories set in America, funnily enough. o.O I think you'd be best to try and write it wholly British, and then have someone with the same culture proof-read it for you so you get everything right. :D Would be a lot more authentic that way.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ November 7th, 2012, 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
Aussie, my Daddy and I were talking about you the other day, and he said he thinks you guys call a grill a barbie. Is that true?
Author:  Aratrea [ November 7th, 2012, 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
I think some of it depends on where you are marketing the novel. I think some extent of authenticity is good, but not enough so that American readers are confused, if you're primarily marketing it to that audience...
Author:  BushMaid [ November 7th, 2012, 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
Airianna Mimetes wrote:
Aussie, my Daddy and I were talking about you the other day, and he said he thinks you guys call a grill a barbie. Is that true?

Yes it is true, it's short for "barbeque", often spelled "BBQ". A grill is a tray under our oven that can toast things that I've heard you guys don't have. o.O
Author:  Mistress Kidh [ November 8th, 2012, 2:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
* raises hand * We have it, I think, it's just over the oven instead of under it. And we call it a grill too.
Author:  BushMaid [ November 8th, 2012, 5:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
*high-fives Juliet* We seem to have a fair amount of lingo and appliances in common! :D
Author:  Lady Elanor [ November 8th, 2012, 5:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Troubles With Writing A Novel Set In A Different Country
Lady Rwebhu Kidh wrote:
* raises hand * We have it, I think, it's just over the oven instead of under it. And we call it a grill too.


*Nods* That's what ours is like. We call it a grill as well. :)
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