English – the “common” language

As we near the end our first year of blogging at Rule of Three, we have figured out that life still happens. We get sick or go on vacation (or is that on holiday, ladies) or take on a few more responsibilities. And sometimes that means we just can’t post. So we have asked for someone to come in and pinch hit for us on those days. Luckily Karen Fainges responded and is here today to post for Narelle.

When asked to describe herself, Karen Fainges says teacher, wife, mother and writer, though not necessarily in that order. The Shaytonian chronicles were born one day as a story to keep her cousin and sister from being bored. The spark grew through many retellings, some in short stories, some in role-play. All those years of games, tears and laughter are distilled into a much more adult version than that long ago tale. Still, the childlike wonder of life, the fierce need for acceptance that we all can feel and the belief that the universe really does revolve around us; all comes through in this irreverent stab at all those old B movies. What if out there, there really was a race of beautiful slave looking for a male with whom to rebuild the species? And what if he said, “Sure, why not?”
Here is what Karen has to say about a subject that comes up often here at Rule of Three: English.

When George Bernard Shaw said that, “England and America are two countries separated by a common language”, he never spoke a truer word. Even in this world of constant online communication, this is still true. One question every Australian writer has to answer for themselves is, “Will I leave the ‘u’ in flavour?”

For some, the characters are Australian or English and then it is easy to say yes, it’s part of the character. As a writer of science fiction/fantasy, I have to decide for characters that learnt their English at the turn of the century (and I’m talking 1300’s).

But there is more to it than that. It’s not just different countries. I have found differences even in other states in Australia. What do you call a roll of pressed meat made to put in sandwiches? Is it spam, luncheon, deli meat or one of a dozen other names? And if I call it spam, do I have the characters spend five or six lines explaining that it is meat for sandwiches, and not annoying unsolicited emails? Actually, now I think of it, that gives me a great idea for a scene, I should write that down.

http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/ gives some wonderful examples of the differences in English and American. Chips, are they hot or cold? Is being made redundant becoming obsolete or losing your job?

I have found more and more that I have to pass my work on to three or four different nationalities to see if it means the same thing to all of them. I am amazed how often the same words can invoke a completely different reaction.

Some of it is tone. To an Aussie, “yeah right” is often spoken sarcastically. For us, it can mean, pull the other one, it’s got bells on. For others reading those words, the tone of voice sounds a lot different, it means agreement.

So where is the line between making your writing clear and adding way too much explanation? I guess I can post this blog and see if anyone “gets” it.

Introducing Christine

These kinds of introductions are the literary equivalent of that name tag you wear to a work seminar or your kid’s PTA meeting. You know what I mean, that tiny white square where you have to write your name, your interests or questions, plus your child’s name and grade all in one tiny white space in felt tip pen. And then after you’ve made a mess of the thing in thick, black, permanent marker, they want you to wear it. Because it helps people get to know you. It’s impossible, right?

That’s what this post is. You won’t know me any better after this than you did before but I’m giving it a shot in not-so-thick, black ink. I’m Christine Duncan. I live in Colorado where I write the Kaye Berreano mystery series. The second book in the series, Safe House, just came out in e-format. It’s available at Fictionwise, Mobipocket and other fine places. The first book, Safe Beginnings is available in print at Barnes and Noble.

I’m married, my three children are grown. Okay, the third one is still working on it, but you get the drift. My time is supposed to be my own now. (Who started that myth?) And I want to talk with folks about writing, publishing, promoting (WHY did no-one tell me what a bear that would be!) and just women stuff. My slant on all this is bound to be different than Michelle’s (a young beauty from the U.K.) and Narelle’s (a gorgeous Aussie) so you might hear some disagreement here. Nothing too serious—we’re Rule of Three. Three countries, three women and three different ways of doing things. 

 

Give me an “N”, give me an “A”….

Greetings web dwellers. I’m Narelle Bitunjac (pronounced Bitoonjack). I’m a writer living in Sydney Australia. My writing interests are many and varied. At this stage, I’m in the process of landing an agent for a women’s fiction MS and a ‘little’ non-fiction survival guide that I’ve co-written. My most recent writing venture has been into writing freelance articles. In fact I recently sold an article to an Australian magazine about domestic homicide. My lack of genre specific writing offers something of an insight into my personality which could be described as lively and variable. (Although some may argue that I have adult onset ADD…I disagree of course). Given that planning anything beyond my next meal presents a cerebral challenge, it won’t surprise you to learn that my method of writing is out of the mist [read: fog].

My interests/obsessions (see MySpace page for explanation) aside from writing and to landing a book deal include: tap dancing, listening to music and spending time with loved ones, especially my beautiful, funny and very patient husband.

I’m looking forward to chatting here about all manner of things. The first order of business for me will most likely be a blog about the absurdity of the Sex and the City hysteria which has blanketed Sydney in the past 7 days.

Just a few words

My name is Michelle, and I live in London, England. I am in my mid thirties (okay, late thirties and am currently between jobs.

Some of you who read fan fiction for various sci-fi and crime shows may have read my work on fanfiction.net. I like to write short stories best, as I like to take that moment – whether it be an hour, a minute or a day – where someone’s life changes, and thoroughly explore it.

I like to write ghost stories (I’m heavily influenced by M.R. James and Dickens) as they show the moment when someone’s breaks down, and shows who they really are, and because I’m a Scorpio, and I like to scare people!

I have written books – two fantasy books, and one odd book about a very dark Victorian lady, that I’m still working on. I wrote my very first book about ten years ago, when I snapped the ligaments in my ankle, and couldn’t walk for a year. I just sat down, and wrote instead, and to my surprise, a whole fantasy book came out . I’m currently re-writing it, in the hope of getting it published. When I sit down to write, I never know what the ending will be – I like to start with a perfect line, and then let my mind and pen wander where it will.

 

Some writers like to write what they see in front of them – I like to write about what I see from the corner of my eye.