New here and have a burning question

[Aussie_grits]

Hey y'all new to the site
May say some amazing talent in here!!!
I have a question, I write mostly of what I know. Being an Australian countrygirl I tend to write stories based on this (cowboys ect) I've read a lot of "cowboy" stories on here and whilst I love love love them I'm yet to see a real Australian based one. My question, long story short, is... Would it be frowned upon to write an australian story and post it here? Involving utes, bns balls ect... Or would nobody have any idea what I'm talking about in my story?

Cheers in advance

 

[soflabbwlvr]

There are Australian authors on the site, and there must be Australian readers, as well. However--and this holds for the use of any regional idioms--the more obscure your expressions, the less likely a broad audience will understand what you are saying.

Regional idioms are a great way to give a story color and authenticity, but you need to be careful in how you use them. My suggestion would be to introduce the more obscure terms in a conversation, and then use more commonly known terms immediately afterward in the narrative. That way you can explain the term without interrupting the story, and create an association between the term and its more commonly known meaning for the readers.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm sure that at least the Australian readers will love to see it.

 

[Aussie_grits]

Thanks great advice. I'll give it a go

 

[BONNIEBREA]

Hey y'all new to the site
May say some amazing talent in here!!!
I have a question, I write mostly of what I know. Being an Australian countrygirl I tend to write stories based on this (cowboys ect) I've read a lot of "cowboy" stories on here and whilst I love love love them I'm yet to see a real Australian based one. My question, long story short, is... Would it be frowned upon to write an australian story and post it here? Involving utes, bns balls ect... Or would nobody have any idea what I'm talking about in my story?

Cheers in advance

I'd give you just the opposite advice. Write your story the way you want to write it, and as far as I'm concerned the more 'Australian' the better. If people are too dumb or incurious to want to follow the story then that's their choice and their loss. If someone likes a story for its content they'll read it, and if they don't know what vegemite is they can google it and find out.

Just to pick a story off the top of my head, Atonement by Ian McEwan is a marvelous and rewarding read. But it's set in pre-WWII England, and being from the States I had to work in some places to figure out what he was talking about, as many of his references were not things an American reader in the early 21st century would know. But I was able to get my questions answered with little trouble, and it contributed to my understanding and enjoyment of a very impressive work of fiction.

My advice is: Write for readers who are able and willing to understand your stories, rather than dumbing your stories down or writing to the lowest common denominator. It's what I do. The audience is smaller, but very appreciative for deep, interesting, and challenging work.

 

[sr71plt]

My Australian publisher and I occasionally have a good laugh when he tells me he went out in his jumper, and I get this vision of a schoolgirl's corduroy overdress.

 

[Aussie_grits]

Will do bonniebrea!! Cheers for the help

 

[R_Masters]

Write what feels most comfortable, it will flow much easier. As Bonniebrea pointed out, those who are interested and open minded will take the time to look into it to gain a better understanding.

Looking forward to reading it =)

 

[lovecraftsworld]

I would go for it. There's a lot of readers from Australia who I'm sure would get a kick out of a story with a lot of "local flavor"

I would however, post something in an introductory authors note that you are featuring some Aussie slang in there.

I know occasionally someone gripes if a UK author uses some different spelling so it won't hurt to cover your ass a bit.

If you post it, there is a story feedback forum where you can put the link and get some feedback from authors and readers.

Good luck.