Language Bloopers

I’ll be back to blogging next Friday, but until then I’m so pleased to introduce my final guest-blogger of the summer. Jessica Wakefield! As an Australian author, she’s sharing about the challenges she’s faced writing the dialogue of American characters. And she’s giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one of you! Thanks so much for contributing to our blog, Jessica. -Becky

“So? You mean it?”
“What? How do you think it’s going to happen?”

You’re wondering right now, what I’m talking about, aren’t you? Are you thinking, what’s with the dialogue above? Does it look odd to you? It doesn’t to me, but that’s because I’m Australian.

When I started writing my books, I already had a decent grasp on American terminology. I had this for three reasons. Firstly, my mum is from the Philippines and that is a very Americanised country. I grew up with some words that are American, not Australian. For example, in Australia we say lift, not elevator. I say elevator. We say footpath, not sidewalk. I say sidewalk. I get asked by students I teach if I’m American. All the time.

Secondly, I have American friends that lived and live here in my home city. The more time I spend with them, the more I pick up their words and phrases. Thirdly, I’ve had so many zoom sessions with my mentor, editors, agents, and other writers that I’ve picked up words and phrases along the way.

Back to the first set of dialogue at the beginning of this post. What’s wrong with it? Well, I’ve been informed that it’s not a normal American thing to start a sentence, that’s already a question, with another question. So? What does that mean? (wink, wink). It’s an Aussie thing. We do it in every day speech. My editor has lots of fun correcting this and other things.

I thought I’d list some of the word issues I’ve run into as I write my American characters, in their American settings. As you can see from the image below, these are just a few I still stumble over when I’m writing, which is why it’s so important that I have an American editor and beta readers.

Now, I think you might be asking another question. Am I ever going to write an American in Australia story, or an Australian in America story. The answer is yes! But the right story hasn’t presented itself just yet. It will.

My new release, Right in Front of You, is set in the fictional town of Trinity Lakes, Washington. This town has an unusual flavour. It’s home to lots of Australian and New Zealand characters. Now my hero and heroine, Hayden and Rachel are not from either place, but there’s a funny scene where they try and work out how to eat a meat pie. Right in Front of You is an ex-NFL player, friends-to-more story about forgiveness and moving forward, even when it’s hard and scary.

Please leave a comment to be entered to win a $10 Amazon card, courtesy of Jessica!

A winner will be randomly selected from all commenters Tuesday, August 27th.

As a kid, Australian author Jessica Wakefield penned really bad Anne of Green Gables fan fiction. Nowadays she lives in Newcastle with her husband, two daughters and a fluffy mini-groodle. Jessica has a lifelong love of Sweet Valley High books and is a recovering Gilmore girls addict. When she’s not fawning over her cuddly dog Ginny, you can find her reading, going for walks or baking. Find out more at: JessicaWakefield.com

Can he convince her that he’s not going to break her heart?

Rachel Marshall, a sports nutritionist, will do anything to save her mother’s health. Even traveling to the tiny town of Trinity Lakes to bring bad-boy NFL player, Hayden Donovan, back to Texas.

Despite turning over a new leaf, circumstances conspire against Hayden Donovan that sees his bad-boy reputation the center of viral social media outrage. His past won’t let him be the better man he’s determined to be.

When his nutritionist, Rachel, turns up to find him in Trinity Lakes, he sees an opportunity to strike a deal. He’ll help her get the medicine her mother needs if she’ll help him show the world he has truly changed.

Sparks fly between them, but will Rachel let cruel memories and scars from her past stop her from seeing the man behind the image? And will Hayden find the courage to show the world how much he’s truly changed?

Check out Right in Front of You on Amazon HERE!