Email From Macmillan New Writing
I took a deep breath before I opened the email, but there was quick relief.
It was just a note from the people at Macmillan New Writing - five weeks after I sent them my manuscript - to ask me to send another copy; apparently the original Word document that I sent couldn't be opened. I suppose they're busy over there, with all the words that must be raining down into their system. How to make sure that your Word files are not corrupted?
Anyway, whew! D-day is put off. It also means I won't have to worry about those infuriating errors that crept into the previous version of the manuscript (see previous posting). It's almost like I get another lucky chance. Of course, I will let you know what happens.
Meanwhile, I'm hunting down the name of a garden bird and a cheap, common beer for my latest novel, which is set in Dublin. I just love the challenge of tracking down all the little bits and pieces that help make the pages come to life!
The hardest part will be the dialogue, which is why I'll take every chance to go there this year. My relatives will be called on to keep me on track and let me know what's genuine and what is not. The way my father spoke - he was born in Dublin - is also coming back to me.
6 comments:
Good luck!!!
Ah, having those families ties can be a big help with things such as that. My mum, for example, is from London, but me father - LOL - is from America. :)
Thanks for the message lynne. On the dialogue thing, basically I want to avoid my characters saying the likes of "Jesus, Mary and Joseph", which is the easy road to go down. I'm debating whether the sound of the accent should deform the words that I write, or whether the text should be neutral, leaving it up to the reader to imgaine an Irish lilt. Text written in the accent can be hard going for a reader.
That's interesting!
It depends where and when in Dublin you're setting your novel; there a couple of different dialects in the city, and more in the surrounding county! I know what you mean about writing in the accent; it can be next to impossible to read through. Believe me, I know - my favourite book is Wuthering Heights (remember Joseph?)
I'd imagine the best thing to do is note the words Dubliners use and the way they compose their sentences, and write that as opposed to writing a Roddy Doyle-athon. I found The Commitments et al easy going, as I'm Irish, but I can imagine the constant "Wha'?" and "Jaysus" to be a problem for other readers.
Have you looked at Irish site Overheard In Dublin? It might prove a handy resource.
Overheard In Dublin
The best of luck to you, shameless (you may consider changing that to Sèamus for the time being, it'll help you get in character!!!) :)
Hey arrogantcow,
Thanks for that link; it may come in handy. I think I agree with you about writing in the way natives compose their phrases, as opposed to trying to capture the accent. In my first novel (which I'm hoping will be published) there is a French character who speaks clumsy English. I have been faithful to the way this would sound, but tried not to go overboard. Hopefully it turns out to be cute as opposed to annoying.
The website, Overheard in Dublin, is a real hoot, by the way. Thanks for the tip.
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