I need a little help...
- Thread starter Skibum
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Weird Harold
Opinionated Old Fart
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2000
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- 23,768
I wouldn't.
If the regional flavor is important to the tone of your story, then use the term, and then describe what it is from another character's viewpoint.
Using regional dialect and idiom is a good way to establish a character. As you've noticed, it's also a good way to confuse the reader. The solution, is to work the definition into the story nearby either in the narration, or in another character's thoughts or dialogue.
i.e. "I hate street pizza," I muttered as I scraped up the dead cat.
If the regional flavor is important to the tone of your story, then use the term, and then describe what it is from another character's viewpoint.
Using regional dialect and idiom is a good way to establish a character. As you've noticed, it's also a good way to confuse the reader. The solution, is to work the definition into the story nearby either in the narration, or in another character's thoughts or dialogue.
i.e. "I hate street pizza," I muttered as I scraped up the dead cat.
Flashlight7.5
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2000
- Posts
- 201
I agree with Harold in that, if you can explain the term through dialogue or narration, then do it.
However, I don't believe in dumbing things down for your readers. Apart from being pleasurable, reading should be a learning experience as well. I, by the way, know that a Coney Island Whitefish is the same as a Jim Hat.
However, I don't believe in dumbing things down for your readers. Apart from being pleasurable, reading should be a learning experience as well. I, by the way, know that a Coney Island Whitefish is the same as a Jim Hat.
Flashlight7.5 said:
I never heard the term Jim Hat, myself.
For those of you who don't know, a Coney Island whitefish is a used condom floating in the water. During WWII, Coney Island was a popular place for GI's to take their dates, especially under the boardwalk. When the tide came in it floated the evidence of their liasons for all to see.
Skibum, us Southern "Ladies" would have no idea what it was. I wonder how many people around the world - Yes! Literally! - would know what a Cony Island Whitefish is.
I wrote "Lilly White, Virgin" and didn't put in a clue to how the story ended. I should have put a note at the bottom of Lilly for a URL that told where to look for the answer to how the Gunfight at the OK Corral came out! I goofed.
A simple aside or mental note by one of the characters would give the readers a clue!
How are they served, baked, fried, or raw like sushi?
I wrote "Lilly White, Virgin" and didn't put in a clue to how the story ended. I should have put a note at the bottom of Lilly for a URL that told where to look for the answer to how the Gunfight at the OK Corral came out! I goofed.
A simple aside or mental note by one of the characters would give the readers a clue!
How are they served, baked, fried, or raw like sushi?
Whispersecret
Clandestine Sex-pressionist
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2000
- Posts
- 3,089
Didn't know what one was. Born and bred in California.
Now that I know what it is...GROSS! I will never swim near Coney Island.
Now that I know what it is...GROSS! I will never swim near Coney Island.
