(Fair warning: Posts may be short or non-existent the next couple of weeks. Just saying.)
If you think this means I won't be careful with my Thai, you should know that 6 of those 8 people are my wife and in-laws.
Also, this is not to scale (unless you're a prospective agent/publisher, in which case this is totally to scale).
Yes, but 6 of those 8 people will let you know if you mess up the Thai so you can change it before all the other Thai speakers notice.
ReplyDeleteBright sides, sir. Bright sides.
I had the same with the Hungarian in my last novel. I sought advice from two Hungarian academics, who were very helpful - but I know there will be some glaring inaccuracies. The point is, I want to be as thorough and authentic as I can - but I'm writing fiction for teenage girls in the UK and US. I remember a great interview with Mark Billingham where he talked about getting facts right. "For God's sake I'm writing a story" I believe he said. There comes a stage when you've just got to get the story out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt. Though I think you mean "before both the other Thai speakers notice."
ReplyDeleteDan: Indeed. When I started this novel I thought, "This will be easy. I know Thai so I won't have to do much research." As it turns out, my knowledge makes me even more anal about getting it perfect.
That's exactly the reason why it's never worked when I've tried writing autobiographical stuff - I'm too busy wondering whether I'd do something to remember it's about my character! In a way it's much easier to write about something you're learning from scratch - your imagination has so much less hemming it in
ReplyDeleteAt least if your Thai is incorrect, they'll be at fault too, as I presume that your wife, at least, will be helping you with that part.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, writtenwyrdd!
ReplyDeleteWhat is The Cunning?
ReplyDelete