How to choose the RIGHT language to write a novel.

Let's keep things simple. You want to write and you want to be published. So what language will you write in? It sounds like a dumb question and I can see some of you rolling your eyes and fidgeting in your seat; ready to flame my blog. But hear me out.

Language choice is a BIG decision, primarily because it can determine whether you would actually finish your novel/short story/article or love letter. Anyone can write, thats why we go to school. We learn to spell words and articulate our minds onto a medium called paper.

Yet, language will determine the feel of the story, the life of the story lies not in the writing itself (per say) but rather in the language used. Language determines the way the words are spoken by that invisible story teller, who sits in reading room of our mind and language moves us to think, to dream and to imagine.

Write in the language you think in.


If you think in Chinese, try writing in Chinese and so on so forth. Writing in the language you think creates flair in your stories. It just means, you have mastery over the language. By being a master of the language you can play with words and sentences and allow yourself to speak your mind. Remember, creative writing is about painting your mind onto a printed medium for people to read. Paint using the colors that you are sure of. Write in the language that you think in.

Now, there will come a time when you choose to write in a language you learnt..

Write in a foreign language if you want to reinvent yourself.


When I write in Bahasa Malaysia, my style changes. It becomes dead formal. My sentencing becomes rigid and it takes on an air of formality. Yet, when I do attempt to write in Bahasa Malaysia, I am not govern by the rules of the language because I don't know them. My writing takes on a flair akin to a mad-man ranting away nonsenses. So, if I ever want to write in Bahasa Malaysia, it'll probably be poetry or a compilation of short stories by inmates of the local asylum.

Write in the language you read in.


Writers are in part hugely influenced by what they read. We pick up a writer we love and in time our style matches them to a certain degree. We take on some of the way they sentence their words or speak their minds. My own style is (ironically) greatly influenced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the writer of the Sherlock Holmes series, and lately by Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Nicholas Sparks. These are the writers I read and they all write in English.

Write in the language you vocalize your stories in.


Writers need to be good story tellers. For example, imagine sitting in a coffee shop with your friends and it's your turn to tell them your story. You need to grab their attention, keep them hooked, allow them to follow the story, allow them to experience the characters. This imagery is the one I keep in my mind when I write my short stories. I imagine I'm telling the story to a friend. This is what I deem the Voice of the Writer. Every writer has their own unique voice. It's their fingerprint in the literacy world. We recognize each other by the way we speak on paper. So make it a point to try to translate how you vocalize your stories to people onto paper. Try to mimic the phrasing and sentencing onto paper and you'll find that your writing has taken on a new dimension.

So why are you still reading this? Go write something.

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The 2 factors that affect genre choice

Let's be honest with ourselves. When it comes to writing, we put the choice of genre quite low on our to-do list. It probably comes in after attending that Write a Novel in 30 days course you sign-up for. Ditch the course (they just do it to take your money) and choose you genre first.

Genre is key to your success as a writer. It determines where you are headed and generally keeps you focus on your writing. But how do you make the choice?

Let me propose two (2) factors you can take into consideration when making your choice for which genre you want to write in.

What Do You Read?


Look at your personal library of books (you should have one) and see what type of book stands out the most. You see, your style of writing would closely reflect your choice of reading. You tend to imitate the author you love most, you would actually phrase yourself base on the model you see in his/her novels. And in most cases that particular style is suited for the genre he/she writes in.

Check out what you read the most. The one that connects with you on an emotional level and try your hand in writing in that genre.

How You Say It?


Invite a friend over and tell them a story. Did it make them cry? Laugh? Or irritated? Did it make them think?

How you say it refers to your voice in writing. Writers are story tellers and each has a distinct voice, distinct way of phrasing their words and a distinct tone to the mood in the story. Angry tones are suited for a murder-mystery or horror. Soft gentle tones - romance, general fiction. Quiet reflective tones - self help manuals or general fiction. The tone of your writers voice should fit the genre.

A mismatch of voice to genre would only make it a comedy to read but then that in itself may be a good thing.

Another thing to consider when choosing genre. Don't choose it for the money. Yes, some genre sell more that others and it is tempting to want to fish in the pond where the fish is plenty but remember there are other anglers vying for the same fish. Instead, choose a genre that you are passionate about and see if you can create a niche for yourself. If that niche is already populated check out the other writers and see how you can create your own unique identity away from them.

There you have it. If you can think of any other factors that contribute to choosing a genre, just drop me a comment.

Cheers!

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