The Omnivorous Geek

spnroundtable has a workshop on writing like a US citizen as a non-native, and I commented with the raw information in this. benitle asked me if I had these under a tag, because apparently they're kinda useful? So that sounds like a good idea. I was trying to save up enough to have a reasonable-sized blog post instead of just random mutterings, but putting this up now and then posting more under an "americanisms" tag makes sense. I hope this is helpful to someone, somewhere.

This is going to be sooooo picky. OMG, don't read this if you're non-American and sensitive, please. I don't want to step on anyone's toes. (Haha, I typed "toys" at first and then went back and fixed it. Anyway. ::clears throat::) I don't want to harsh anyone's squee or make anyone stop writing or interrupt their creative flow. These are just WEE LITTLE BITTY things that can leap out of a fic and hit me between the eyes with their non-Americanness. But then, I've been a professional editor and proofreader for far too long. IGNORE THIS POST IF IT WILL BOTHER YOU.

But if you're non-American and curious about what WEE TINY ITSY things in your otherwise wonderful fic might jump out as subtle Britishisms, and you wish to improve your Yank-speak, please do read on.

(Keep in mind also that there are lots of regional dialects in America. OUR COUNTRY IS SO HOOOOJJJJ OMG THAT WAS SCARY. I've lived all my life in the Midwest, Indiana to be precise, and it could very well be that some of these things are as American as apple pie down in some weird place like, I dunno, Florida or something.)

( IN WHICH MAYCHORIAN IS VERY VERY PICKY AND KINDA MEAN. )