Australian author willing to help?

[BryanRichardson]

I am trying to write a story that I want to set in Australia, but I’ve never been there. Are there any Australian authors that would be willing to help me avoid writing something that would sound stupid from an Aussie point of view?

Specifically, exhibitionism near a waterfall/ swimming hole and then sex in a tent, all being recorded for possible porn release later.

Oh, and set around Christmas so I can try to include it in the Winter Holidays contest. (Although that isn’t critical since I’m not sure I can be done in time.)

 

[YmaOHyd]

If it were me, I'd write the story, then request a beta read -- unless you have a specific Aussie thing you're looking for.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I'm happy to help, but only small chunks. We're moving house soon, so most of my time is spent packing.

PM me your details and I'll see what I can do.

 

[Actingup]

I can verify sex in a swimming hole, if that helps... As @YmaOHdy suggested, it might be easier to draft it and then look beta readers to see who is available. Some pointers:

- Australians generally spell in UK English with a mix of UK/US idioms added to Australianisms. Take it easy on the 'strewths' and 'bonzas' and 'mates' - we don't really speak like that.
- Think about where in Australia it's set - it's a very large country. Summer is generally dry and warm in the south, humid and warm in the north. The monsoon generally arrives in far northern Australia around Christmas (apologies for the self-plug, but read my monsoon coming as an example). Heavy rain is possible, as are heatwaves. Bushfires are more likely into January / February, but can also be an issue for Christmas.
- Christmas meals are distinctly different and may have salads, seafood and other summer things alongside turkey, roast chicken and ham.
- Christmas is cricket season, and the Australia team will thrash the Poms again this year. Everybody watches the Boxing Day cricket.

You need to know this classic Australian song:

 

[Britva415]

set around Christmas so I can try to include it in the Winter Holidays contest

I genuinely wonder how stupid that sounds to an Australian or is it just something they roll their eyes and put up with

(I'm not saying you're stupid for saying it. I know you have no choice, that's just what the contest is called)

 

[ElectricBlue]

I genuinely wonder how stupid that sounds to an Australian or is it just something they roll their eyes and put up with

It's enough for me not to bother. Just seems wrong, given that Christmas Day very often means heat wave!.

Same with the Halloween context - meh.

 

[Actingup]

I genuinely wonder how stupid that sounds to an Australian or is it just something they roll their eyes and put up with

(I'm not saying you're stupid for saying it. I know you have no choice, that's just what the contest is called)

It feels very stupid, but we're used to the Northern Hemisphere not understanding about seasons In practice, it means that we can write summer stories twice a year!

 

[onehitwanda]

It feels very stupid, but we're used to the Northern Hemisphere not understanding about seasons In practice, it means that we can write summer stories twice a year!

What's worse about the Northern Hemisphere is the stars are wrong and they all drive upside down. It's been over ten years and both of these things still fuck with me when I'm still asleep in the mornings.

 

[Rustyoznail]

It's enough for me not to bother. Just seems wrong, given that Christmas Day very often means heat wave!.

Same with the Halloween context - meh.

I just take the Xmas holiday part and do a story. Nobody's complained so far.
And with that, here's one I prepared earlier..

https://literotica.com/s/an-aussie-christmas-layover

 

[MrStill]

I just take the Xmas holiday part and do a story. Nobody's complained so far.
And with that, here's one I prepared earlier..

Lucky you! My comments went right off when I set my Xmas contest story on a hot December night

 

[Actingup]

Lucky you! My comments went right off when I set my Xmas contest story on a hot December night

I haven't read your story, but for what it's worth, I think that it helps to have a very clear alien setting where the reader isn't trying to insert their own context but has to treat it as if they were visiting on holiday - a travelogue element so that they know it's exotic. I've written a few stories set around Christmas time (not all competition stories). One of them was set on a South Pacific island not unlike Samoa, two in Darwin, one in Hobart, one near Melbourne. I think that the most successful of those (Peace on Earth) had a bunch of cultures coming together and bringing their own versions of Christmas, although I drew the line at the Japanese character bringing KFC.

 

[BryanRichardson]

I’ve got the sex bits written, now I’m just trying to flavor it with “Christmas” and “Australia” so that it will fit the winter holiday contest.

Actingup - specifically, is there a concern with crocodiles in swimming holes? I’m assuming not since I’m making the water very clear, and in very hilly terrain so that there can be waterfalls and cliffs.

 

[Actingup]

I’ve got the sex bits written, now I’m just trying to flavor it with “Christmas” and “Australia” so that it will fit the winter holiday contest.

Actingup - specifically, is there a concern with crocodiles in swimming holes? I’m assuming not since I’m making the water very clear, and in very hilly terrain so that there can be waterfalls and cliffs.

Yes, and I can tell you that it's a distraction trying to make love in a tropical swimming hole if you're not 100% confident on the crocodiles! In the Top End, popular swimming holes (for example Litchfield Park in the Northern Territory) are protected with crocodile traps, and saltwater crocodiles are relocated whenever they are caught (they are protected and the numbers are increasing after a huge population decline when they were being hunted). There are also freshwater crocodiles but they are smaller and hunt fish rather than humans. You would never go swimming in a Top End river with crocodiles. Bear in mind that we're just talking about the tropics here - there are no crocodiles near the major Australian cities. FWIW, I've got a 'making love in a tropical waterhole scene' here (pages 3 & 4) that is realistic with wildlife on the assumption that the crocs are regularly trapped and removed.

 

[BryanRichardson]

Ok, so I’ve got a draft done and I’m looking for specific Australian details.

1) The story is set near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and I’m looking for an Australian version of “I graduated from State in 2022”. State in this case being a non-specific state college or university. What would be a good generic choice for a similar institution somewhere near Sunshine Coast?

2) What would the weather be like in Sunshine Coast around Christmas?

3) “There were, in fact, three porta potties at the tree-line.” Are portable toilets called the same thing? Or is there a better term for them?

4) The four main characters travel a couple of hours together with their camping gear in a single vehicle. What would be a good choice for that vehicle? I was going to use a Ute because I recalled that term from somewhere, but then I saw a picture and decided that it wouldn’t be comfortable for 4 people.

Separately, and here is the big ask, is anyone willing to beta read it for me to correct all my ham-handed inclusions of the few Aussie terms I could find to include?

Thanks in advance!

Bryan

 

[Bramblethorn]

Ok, so I’ve got a draft done and I’m looking for specific Australian details.

1) The story is set near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and I’m looking for an Australian version of “I graduated from State in 2022”. State in this case being a non-specific state college or university. What would be a good generic choice for a similar institution somewhere near Sunshine Coast?

2) What would the weather be like in Sunshine Coast around Christmas?

3) “There were, in fact, three porta potties at the tree-line.” Are portable toilets called the same thing? Or is there a better term for them?

I would be more likely to call it a "portaloo" but I'm a southerner and will defer to Queenslanders on this.

However, I'd question whether a portable toilet is the right choice here. If this is something like a campsite that sees regular use, a couple of hours out of town I would think it's more likely to have a long-drop toilet. (Dig a deep hole, put a toilet seat over it, build a wooden shack around it just large enough for one.) A portable will need servicing pretty often which isn't so feasible in areas with relatively low populations and long distances. With a long-drop, council just need to come by every few months with a truck and pump it out, and it blends into the landscape better.

Portables would be more likely for a big event where you need to accommodate a lot of people for a short time but don't need that capacity on an ongoing basis. Festivals, concerts, that kind of thing, but not a bush campsite.

4) The four main characters travel a couple of hours together with their camping gear in a single vehicle. What would be a good choice for that vehicle? I was going to use a Ute because I recalled that term from somewhere, but then I saw a picture and decided that it wouldn’t be comfortable for 4 people.

Good call. There are twin-cab utes around that could fit four, but more likely would be something like a Subaru Outback ("Subie", not to be confused with "subbie"). Good cargo space, probably a roof rack, maybe add a trailer if they have a lot of gear.

A ute is more likely if one of them has a job that requires it (tradies who need to cart around tools, supplies etc.) or if he's the kind of guy who defines himself by driving a Manly Car. Something like the Subie is more viable as a passenger car for people who want to go camping etc.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I’ve got the sex bits written, now I’m just trying to flavor it with “Christmas” and “Australia” so that it will fit the winter holiday contest.

Actingup - specifically, is there a concern with crocodiles in swimming holes? I’m assuming not since I’m making the water very clear, and in very hilly terrain so that there can be waterfalls and cliffs.

Only if you're in the far north of Queensland or the Northern Territory, and your characters are daft enough to swim in coastal rivers. It's the saltwater crocs that are the big man-eaters (especially tasty Germans and Japanese, judging by the warning signs).

Freshwater crocs are found in dirty rivers, not in idyllic clear waters or waterfalls. Don't go decades old American cliché though, or Oz readers will let you know which side your ass is pointing when they kick it .

 

[ElectricBlue]

Ok, so I’ve got a draft done and I’m looking for specific Australian details.

1) The story is set near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and I’m looking for an Australian version of “I graduated from State in 2022”. State in this case being a non-specific state college or university. What would be a good generic choice for a similar institution somewhere near Sunshine Coast?

Uni of Queensland, Uni of Southern Queensland, Griffith University.

In my day, we never "graduated from xxx". "I went to uni in Canberra" would be about it. It might have changed with uni students these days.

2) What would the weather be like in Sunshine Coast around Christmas?

Hot windy and wet, if there's a cyclone nearby. Otherwise hot. Google a seasonal weather map, but remember, temps are in Celsius, not Fahrenheit.

The Sunshine Coast is in southern Qld, which wouldn't cop the tail end of cyclones until later in the year. You can also forget about crocodiles completely.

3) “There were, in fact, three porta potties at the tree-line.” Are portable toilets called the same thing? Or is there a better term for them?

As Bramble says, it's going to be a 'long drop" out in the bush. You usually only find permanent portaloos at train stations and bus interchanges, in cities.

4) The four main characters travel a couple of hours together with their camping gear in a single vehicle. What would be a good choice for that vehicle? I was going to use a Ute because I recalled that term from somewhere, but then I saw a picture and decided that it wouldn’t be comfortable for 4 people.

Nissan Patrol or Pajero. If your crew are serious it's got to be a big four wheel drive, or they're going to break down somewhere.

If they're silly tourists, a rental camping van.

Separately, and here is the big ask, is anyone willing to beta read it for me to correct all my ham-handed inclusions of the few Aussie terms I could find to include?

Not me, but avoid every American cliché of Australia that you've ever heard, or you will immediately throw your story back to 1980.

 

[Actingup]

Ok, so I’ve got a draft done and I’m looking for specific Australian details.

1) The story is set near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and I’m looking for an Australian version of “I graduated from State in 2022”. State in this case being a non-specific state college or university. What would be a good generic choice for a similar institution somewhere near Sunshine Coast?

2) What would the weather be like in Sunshine Coast around Christmas?

3) “There were, in fact, three porta potties at the tree-line.” Are portable toilets called the same thing? Or is there a better term for them?

4) The four main characters travel a couple of hours together with their camping gear in a single vehicle. What would be a good choice for that vehicle? I was going to use a Ute because I recalled that term from somewhere, but then I saw a picture and decided that it wouldn’t be comfortable for 4 people.

Separately, and here is the big ask, is anyone willing to beta read it for me to correct all my ham-handed inclusions of the few Aussie terms I could find to include?

Thanks in advance!

Bryan

The weather will be hot and humid. It's tropical cyclone season (think Hurricane Season in Florida). University of the Sunshine Coast. I agree with Bramble on the toilets, unless it's something like a music festival in which case it will be port-a-loos. The four could be in a Subie, but could also be in a Toyota Landcruiser (an old one unless wealthy), or a Nissan Patrol.

Beta reading is possible once it's polished, but not in the next few days. Best of luck!

 

[nice90sguy]

Not me, but avoid every American cliché of Australia that you've ever heard, or you will immediately throw your story back to 1980.

Don't tell me Mick Dundee didn't actually exist. Please don't tell me

 

[Cacatua_Galerita]

I’m impressed by all this Australian activity in Authors’ Hangout.

Due to our timezone difference, AH on an Australian afternoon can be like walking into a sleazy nightclub in the cold light of day. The place is desolate – but the unsightly residue of the night before remains. I perceive Threads that must have had some initial appeal and vitality, but were progressively debased until all that I encounter is a puddle of vomit under the sticky cocktail table.

Usually I’ll decide; nope, I ain’t touching none of that… Maybe just ‘misquote the person above’ and be on my way.

 

[Cacatua_Galerita]

A few links for you.

Ok, so I’ve got a draft done and I’m looking for specific Australian details.

1) The story is set near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and I’m looking for an Australian version of “I graduated from State in 2022”. State in this case being a non-specific state college or university. What would be a good generic choice for a similar institution somewhere near Sunshine Coast?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_schools_in_Sunshine_Coast,_Queensland

Regarding High School (i.e. Secondary School), rather than University or TAFE (Tertiary Education)...

Australians don’t put too much emphasis on which high school they went to. Typically they’d just say “I finished Year 12 in 2022” or “I did my ATAR in 2022.” See: Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for Year 12 graduation (typically at ~18 y/o).

State High Schools have a “catchment area” meaning kids who live in that catchment are automatically eligible to attend that school. If they want a different school then they can apply - stating a reason - but placement outside of your catchment isn’t guaranteed.

Google the school you choose for any quirks worth mentioning. Some state schools can be very small. Some private schools are single-sex. I was amused by Coolum High School when I visited, because it is located on the beach and has surfboard racks provided for the kids like bike racks. (Surfing is one of the curriculum sports there.)

2) What would the weather be like in Sunshine Coast around Christmas?

If you have a particular year in mind, then historical weather can be researched here: https://weather-and-climate.com/maroochydore-December-averages

3) “There were, in fact, three porta potties at the tree-line.” Are portable toilets called the same thing? Or is there a better term for them?

As Bramblethorn noted, “portaloo” is what we’d ask for formally. “Dunny” is the common slang for any toilet, including portaloos. "Loo" is the more common female slang.

Australians have no reservations about saying the word “toilet,” so “portable toilet” is also good (e.g. for formal first-person narration).

We’re also familiar with all the usual toilet euphemisms (“W.C.”, “smallest room in the house”, and anything else commonly used on British or US television). Australians are playful with language, so mix it up a bit, e.g. “Hey cunt! Where can I powder my nose?” (i.e. contrast vulgar obscenity with delicate pommy euphemism, just for shits and giggles).

Despite what you read on Reddit, Australians don’t say “cunt” all the time. It is not uncommon between workmates (mostly with peers, not management or HR), friends, and at the pub/club, but less likely to be said in front of women/strangers, and very unlikely to be said if there are children present.

4) The four main characters travel a couple of hours together with their camping gear in a single vehicle. What would be a good choice for that vehicle? I was going to use a Ute because I recalled that term from somewhere, but then I saw a picture and decided that it wouldn’t be comfortable for 4 people.

Australian cars last longer in our drier climate (and we don’t salt our roads), so kids are commonly driving 10-20+ year old cars. Pick one that suits your story:

https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/...-cars-in-2005-is-almost-unrecognisable-today/

Bramblethorn’s recommendation is good (Subaru Forester). I’ll suggest the Ford Territory as a cheaper student’s car, if you want an Australian-specific model.

Since your characters are going camping, Rainbow Beach is the obvious Sunshine Coast camping destination. A 4WD is required to get there as it involved driving along the beach, so give them a Hilux or Rodeo dual cab ute. (Note we say “four wheel drive”, more often than “four by four”.) Access to the beach from the south (Noosa area) requires using the Tewantin Ferry.

Separately, and here is the big ask, is anyone willing to beta read it for me to correct all my ham-handed inclusions of the few Aussie terms I could find to include?

Yeah, nah.

 

[EmmAgain]

While I certainly can’t answer with the level of detail provided by the friendly native Aussies above, I might be able to offer a perspective as an American living Down Under since 2020.

I’m now near Brisbane with my Aussie husband, formerly from Houston, TX. It’s def a different country, but not a massive culture shock.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Don't tell me Mick Dundee didn't actually exist. Please don't tell me

He was based on a real person, but it's not a happy story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Ansell