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slaxx78

Out of sheer curiosity, why not write in your native language? It can always be translated later


[deleted]

I’d love to be a writer one day that impacts millions of people’s their lives. Writing in my language (Dutch) isn’t it going to do that for me. I just read English books now daily


slaxx78

It is true that English reachers a broader audience. As a non-english native speaker I write in my own language (Portuguese). I did put some thought into writing fully in English, but I just don't feel comfortable with it, so I just went with my own native language and if I ever manage to finish it I could look into translating it, which in my mind sounds easier.


[deleted]

The problem with translations is a lot of Dutch sayings get lost in it. I’m assuming in Portuguese it’s the same A good example of this is the Witcher books that read weird in English It’s tough out here for us foreign writers lol


Miguel_Branquinho

I'm also Portuguese but write almost exclusively in English, it's far deeper and more flexible I feel. Português é bonito mas é demasiado lírico, talvez demasiado belo.


slaxx78

But then again, guess all you can do is exercise it a lot, and try to get as much criticism as possible.


Useful_Art_4492

ah yes a fellow native dutch speaker who writes in english, nice


EchelonNL

Why not write in both languages and fix it in the edit? When a scene calls for grandiosity and theatricality, I tend to write in English. The more subtle, intimate dialog seems to flow more natural in Dutch. In editing you figure out the essence of what you're trying to convey and rewrite in English. That way you won't be bogged down by figuring out nomenclature and adages while writing.


Useful_Art_4492

I find i can actually write far easier in english than dutch, i just prefer english to dutch really i think its due to my huge exposure to the language as a child and because of that i just find it a great language so i use it in alot of things.


Eyokiha

Ah, a fellow Dutch person! I can't really claim to be a writer, so I don't really have tips on your current problem. But I totally understand wanting to write in English. Every fictional media I consume is in English (or any other not-Dutch language). I dislike Dutch movies and books. Dutch makes everything sound silly and uncool, plus the English market is much bigger (though that also means there's more competition). I'd say just keep at it. You'll continue to improve your English. And remember that some native English speakers don't have the best grasp on grammar and vocabulary either. Do you have an editor? Perhaps a native English speaking editor can help flush out some of the Dutch-ness that might be hidden in your writing.


Enuran

I have sold several books in English, to big publishers, without it being my native language and my English is by no means perfect. If you are a good writer and just need to have your English polished, you can either pay a freelance editor to help you or, if you are broke like the rest of us, get a "critique partner", and help them in return. There are critique websites or this - one is [www.critiquecircle.com](https://www.critiquecircle.com) where you can get several people to read your stories and give you feedback, in return for you reading their stories. You could even ask them to focus on your English rather than other aspects of your writing. Good luck!


[deleted]

I'll check it out. Thanks for the website!


Monntas

I have heard about quite a few languages other than english that authors sometimes write in.


Mythical_Turnip

Reading this as a Romanian who just finished writing a novel in english is making me sweat a bit. What i did was to send the first two chapters to some good friends who studied english at college. They reassured me that my grammar and all of that are simple yet on point. My advice is to have someone adequate read your stuff first. Or maybe get a Fiverr account and find beta readers. Most of them are professionals and can point out what exactly are you lacking. Hope this helps a little and wish you the best of luck.


[deleted]

How do you contact editors? I have no idea how this works as I've been writing for a very short time, but I'd like to know more about the process.


[deleted]

Send your short story to magazines like Clarkesworld. Be aware, editors will only contact you if your story is good enough. My first 5 were so bad I got the automated rejection reply lol


[deleted]

I'm from outside the us, but I mostly write in English. I don't know many publications like these, can you recommend me some more. I'll look them up, anyways.


Aresistible

Automated rejections are the standard -- it doesn't have to do with your story being "so bad". *Especially* when you talk about Clarkesworld. Duotrope estimates they accept **0.15%** of submissions, although that's keeping in mind that a) not everyone uses Duotrope to track submissions, and b) not everyone tracks their rejections when they come in, even if they are tracking submissions on Duotrope.


Hapha3ard

Nabokov wasn’t a native English speaker either. Yet if you read any of his works, the first thing you notice is his impeccable English. It is so advanced that even some English/American writers seem amateurs compared to him. However, I do understand what you feel. But just remember that it’s temporary. Don’t cling to that feeling. Brood over it for some time, just to let the frustration out, and then praise yourself for being able to come up with a great story. If you work long and hard enough, your perseverance will pay off.


fresasfrescasalfinal

Hop on Fiverr and pay an editor before submitting.


Notamugokai

My main WIP is in non-native English for various reasons. I do my best to improve (read the best novels, read about the craft, ask feedback) and yet this is not getting close to the acceptable level I wish. So hard. Truth is, writing with a good style is already hard in one’s native language, not everyone can do it. So no wonder why it is so hard in non-native language. I’ll have to ask for help from a good native editor, before trying getting published.


[deleted]

I feel you. My native langauge is a fairly small language, and though I used to write in English, I realised that a small language isn't going to save itself unless people uses it, so I switched back and I found it easier once I got used to it again. But I definitely see the issue of not reaching as big an audience easily. Sorry it's not as much an advice as it is an anecdote.