So, are my English writings readable, of tolerable style?

[MonsterMash]

Thanks for all your comments. Now I don't anymore have the excuse of doubt doubt excuse for not beginning actual writing. In France, fantasy and science-fiction are viewed as junk literacy only good for retarded teenagers. Plus the literacy / publishing world is a closed one, full of snobbery. I figured I would get a larger audience in English, even if only to make available for free on the Internet.

Don't be so sure it isn't regarded as a bit naff in the English speaking world. The best way to get better at writing is by practice, so try and produce some stuff and get it looked at and critiqued to improve the next attempt.

 

[barsoomcore]

GASP! My inflating ego is on the verge of explosion!

Well, you ARE French.



Seriously, Tur -- your written English is better than many native speakers. I don't see any reason why you couldn't write a perfectly good story in English. I would look forward greatly to reading it.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Turanil,

Your English is fine. The only way I know you aren't a native writer is:

1) You tell us that you're French.
2) You don't use slang.

Your command of English should be a point of pride with you.

 

[Henry]

Despite your command of the French OR English language, you will need an editor -- then again, so do all writers. As for your command of the language, I've always been impressed. However, the reason I can tell you are not a native speaker of English is BECAUSE you're so good at it; most of us in the U.S. and the U.K. just mangle it any old way when we speak or write.

 

[tarchon]

So my question is: for all of you who have read many of my posts at one time or another, what do you think of my writing style? Is it poor, just tolerable, or does it look like written by an English native? Do you think my knowledge of English is enough to write a novel?

It's intelligible and good enough for professional contexts where the writing isn't the main point, but it'll take more work to reach the level where you could sell a novel. You're capable of getting there but your diction needs a lot of refinement. It's always immediately obvious to me that you're not native, mainly from word choice.

 

[the Jester]

Hmm, I've always been able to tell that you're a non-native speaker, but a very good one. I think writing a novel in English will prolly really polish you up.

 

[The_Universe]

By and large, I can't tell you're not a native speaker. Every now and then, you'll drop an sentence with a slightly odd phrasing, but it's very, very rare.

And as my French pretty much stops at "oui", I'm very impressed by your English. It's better than most of the native speakers in my part of the U.S.

That's my impression, as well. You write very well with only the occaisonal odd turn of phrase.

And you're a decent guy 'round here for the most part. Best of luck!

 

[TracerBullet42]

It's better than most of the native speakers in my part of the U.S.

Agreed.

(And thanks again for the photoshopping job you did for me way back in January...we're getting ready for our new "american" fantasy football season and the guy who won last year will be bringing his framed 80 dollar bill to this year's draft. Thanks!)

 

[wingsandsword]

Turanil, I'll agree with everybody else here, your English is excellent, the only way I normally know that it's not your native language is the location you have listed on your profile.

On careful inspection, you don't use slang terms, and occasionally your exact choice of word or phrasing is awkward (but you have to be looking carefully to see that). For amateur fiction your command of the language is already better than a lot of net-published and fan written things I've read from native speakers. For professionally published fiction, you have a long way to go (but are on the way), but the professional line is a very high standard, as it is very competitive. Many people want to be professional authors.

Of course, good fiction writing is difficult in any language, even native speakers write junk, so become a good writer first. Practice, practice practice.

 

[Desdichado]

Many people want to be professional authors.

Most professional authors will tell you that the folks who want to be but aren't usually aren't limited by their ability; rather they mostly don't have the drive.

As I can confirm from personal experience.