AKA Why do I write like a Brit?
Well, the simple answer is because I'm British.
The question of whether to use British vs. American English is one that comes up often on writers' forums again and again, and it's also something I've received messages about from readers. The issue also pops up in reviews from time to time, where US readers think spelling errors have been made when it's actually the (correct) British form of a word that's been used.
When I first began writing, I made the decision to stick with British English rather than Americanise (or even Americanize) my novels. Although my biggest sales market is the US, the UK runs second, and I have readers from all over the world – India, Switzerland, Germany, Nigeria, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands to name but a few countries. Plus because I naturally spell the British way, I'd probably make more mistakes trying to switch over!
Having said that, I do try to have my American characters speak with American slang wherever I can.
So while tyre stays as tyre rather than tire, bonnet becomes trunk, bumper becomes fender, and indicator becomes turn signal. Then there's the food. First we've got the fun debate of crisps vs. chips vs. french fries, we start our meals logically with a starter rather than an appetizer, and over on this side of the pond we dunk our biscuits in tea rather than gravy.
And clothing? Well, that causes much entertainment too. If you tell a Brit you love their pants, we'll immediately check to see whether we've tucked our skirt into our knickers by accident. We wear tights rather than pantyhose underneath those skirts, and jumpers rather than sweaters on the top half. And over here, a fanny is actually something quite rude.
Brits also have a small issue with the fact that Americans don't know how to measure properly 😉 Only the USA, Liberia, and Burma still insist on using the imperial system, which makes maths (with an ‘s') super confusing for the rest of us. Farenheit vs. Celcius, ounces vs. grams, feet vs metres. Are we having fun yet? And while we're on the subject, buildings in the UK go ground-floor, first-floor, second-floor. And storey has an ‘e' in it.
So, while I make every effort to make my characters sound authentic (I also have two American editors and a Canadian proof reader who help loads with that!), every so often, I'll make a mistake because I'm only human. Writing about other cultures is hard, but I love to do that because it helps me to learn more about the world I live in. Sometimes, I even visit!
I always love to hear from readers, so if you spot one of my oh-so-British cock-ups, please do drop me a line to let me know and I'll get it fixed 🙂
Its all good. Keep writing, Elise!
I have the same issue, but different situation. Britain introduced English to my country, and I grew up reading American Literature. Exposed to both, I write American for my works while using British for my freelancing projects, because I think the British English is the standard business way.
I enjoy reading some stories written in the British English but it takes awhile longer since I have to stop and think what is really being said.
I love your writing no matter what you do. Besides, I’m guessing it’s easier to write as you’re used to.
I agree with everything that’s been said. I love your work. and I have no problem with the British, quite opposite. I love it.
You do a much better job with both versions of the English language than most people I know do with just one 🙂
I will read books with both American and British words. As long as it is a good story why not.
I was born and raised in the U.K but having lived and worked in the U.S.A for over half my life now I pretty much had to go by the American spelling otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to hold down a Job. You will never hear me complaining about the spelling when I’m reading. Sometimes I even get confused. I was taught the British way of spelling and when I arrived here at 19 years old everything I had been taught went out the window, lol.
I’m good with both ways of spelling too 🙂 But some people report British spellings to Amazon as typos which gets mildly annoying.
Yes I have read some of those and although I’m not a writer I get frustrated also especially as most of your readers must know where you are from so it’s only natural to write in the manner in which you have been taught. Btw thank you so much for responding to my post. 😄😁😆
Elise I love your stories written any way you prefer! Being Canadian, I’m quite used to both ways of spelling and the meanings of words from both countries. I am confused by one thing you wrote. You wrote that the US uses the metric system. I’m pretty sure they don’t use the metric system. I am always converting kilometers to miles and meters to yards when I travel to the United States. Regardless, I love your stories and am always looking forward to the next one.
Lol, had a brain fade moment! I meant imperial system! Glad you’re enjoying the books 🙂
The “maths” are significantly easier!
In America every measurement has a different breakdown. In UK you all wisely many years ago, went away from a King’s foot. Instead we have inches to a foot, of which there are 12. Then feet to yards, let’s confuse people again, 3 ft to 1yd, and it gets worse. Liguid measurement is an absolute nightmare.
Crisps make sense, crisp fried potatoes, the slightly dehydrated to a thin shell. Fries versus chips, is easy because.my grandfather emigrated from Wales. However, I want ketchup (shudder, very rarely) but having grown up with malt vinegar on them…everyone ate as Daddy did, and it was how he was raised, I am not fond. Simply salt, and more salt.
However…
The biggest reason your British writing makes total sense, Emmy! You started this series, all parts, with an English “waif” . This woman is British. Many of her contemporaries now are.as well.
The stories uplift and make my day. I wait, and am thrilled when my pre-ordered newest novel appears.
Regardless, of British English or American English, it’s your ability to completely immerse a reader in a novel with total enjoyment .
I really love this post, especially the part about measure as it drives me nuts to use Google for help when explaining recipes and stuff to US friends. It’s so much easier with people from other countries 🙂 Sunny greetings from Germany, Sandra
LOVE the British English to American English exchanges, the differences between the Countries make your books even more interesting 🙂 The measurements for recipes drive me nuts too, I could go for 1 standard measurement system.
I am american but I love reading British Authors. I love how the contexts sound. I think in my own opinion the british language just flows so much better and is more elegant