Young Writers Society

Welcome to Squills, the official news bulletin of the Young Writers Society!

What will you find here? Tons of interesting news about YWS, including but not limited to: articles about writing, art, and the world of humanities; interviews with YWS members; shameless plugs; link round-ups; and opinionated columns.

And where will all of this come from? Take a look at our fantastic creative staff!





Of course, our content can’t come only from our staff. We also depend on you to help keep Squills successful. You’re all a part of a writing community, after all. If you’re interested in submitting to Squills, pop on over to the Reader’s Corner to find out how you can get involved by contributing an article or participating in other Squills activities.

Well, that’s all I have for now. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy!

1. A NOTE FROM THE STAFF
2. ADVENTURES IN WRITING
3. LIBRARY LOVES
4. STORYBOOK UPDATE
5. NEW ARRIVALS
6. LINK ROUND-UP
7. SHAMELESS PLUGS
8. SUBSCRIBERS

A NOTE FROM THE STAFF

The Squillians will be vanishing for the next two weeks as some of us graduate and the rest of us kick off summer.

We'll be back posting the week of June 1st.

See you then!

ADVENTURES IN WRITINGwritten by BlueAfrica < PM: >

Around the site lately, I’ve noticed a lot of stories taking place in Russia, France, Germany, India, and other countries where English is not most of the population’s first language. That’s got me thinking about how to write non-English-speaking or English-second-language characters in a book that’s written in, well, standard English.

On the one hand, you have Gone with the Wind, which spells out the dialect of the slaves phonetically:






Have fun with that for a thousand pages.

And then you’ve got The Rogue Blades, a book self-published by a friend of mine. It’s a good read, with romance, duels, and pirates—but there’s an Irish character whose dialogue alternates between Standard American-English (SAE) and bizarrely spelled SAE punctuated by phrases like “top o’ the morning to ya!”

So how do you write characters who have “non-standard” accents or dialects, or whose first language is not English—in a standard English book? Here are some suggestions to start with.

Writing accents. Let’s use the example above of an Irish character. Say you’ve got one in your novel: a character whose thick brogue stands out in your head as a defining characteristic. Naturally, you want your reader to understand and remember throughout the reading that he has a brogue.

But for the love of God, don’t write his brogue out phonetically.

You might be tempted to spell out words the way you imagine an Irish person would say them (“foiter” instead of “fighter,” for example). Aside from the fact that you’ll have real Irish people rolling on the floor with laughter, writing things out this way is irritating for readers. When a book spells dialogue out the way it would sound instead of using traditional spellings, the audience has to work harder to understand it. This can result in a less-than-full understanding of what’s happening as readers skim the dialogue to get through it faster, or even a loss of audience members as people who would’ve otherwise read the book put it down in favor of something easier to understand.

You have some leeway if you want to drop a few letters or slur your words—cutting the h off the front of “headache” to hint at an accent, for example—but don’t go Gone with the Wind on your dialogue. Not unless you want to give readers an ‘eadache. It’s a better idea to simply tell your audience, “He spoke with a thick Irish brogue.” However, even this is unnecessary if your Irish character lives in Ireland, surrounded by other Irish characters. You only need to tell us that a character has an accent if he lives in a setting where the accent is out of place.

This doesn’t mean readers will actively read the character as sounding Irish. Most readers read dialogue in their own dialect, even if they’re aware that the character speaking actually sounds very different. But forcing your audience to remember how characters sound by writing dialogue phonetically is a pain in the butt for everyone involved. Don’t do it.

Using slang. Slang is your friend. (Pay close attention, because this is likely the only time you’ll ever hear that sentiment uttered by an English teacher.) Slang changes so often and varies so widely that using it in your dialogue can instantly place your characters in a time period or determine their age. It also provides characterization in other ways: the slang your characters use or don’t use can point to their level of education, their relationship with the characters around them, and their familiarity with pop culture. For example, a character in her mid-twenties might use a lot of slang while hanging out with her friends but no slang when interviewing for a job or internship.

Using dialects. A dialect is like a subspecies of language. People who speak different dialects of the same language may have difficulty understanding each other—not because they have different accents (although they often do), but because their use of the language in question is so different in terms of grammar and vocabulary.

For instance, different terms can create confusion between native speakers of Inland Northern American-English and Lower Southern American-English. One example is “pop” or “soda” versus “coke.” My father once ordered a Coke in a diner down South, only to have his waitress ask, “What kind?” She thought he meant “coke” as in “ a carbonated beverage, in general,” when what he actually meant was a Coca-Cola, specifically.

Grammatical differences are more complicated but also exist, although it depends on the context. The average person working in a hyper-professional setting in the U.S. will default to Standard American-English, “clean up” his language and structure his sentences “properly.”

The nice thing about dialects is that you can use them the same way you use slang—to set characters in a place and time or give clues as to their age, education, and relationships. The difference is, while slang is driven by young adults and changes rapidly, dialects are shared by people belonging to the same social group or region (or both). Because of this, dialects span the generations and are more constant. While use of current slang can point to a person who is most likely between the ages of thirteen and twenty-five, use of a dialect can place a character in a setting and social group as well.

The rules that apply to writing dialects can also apply to writing characters who don’t speak English. A fantastic example is Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance. The novel takes place in 1980s India and features Hindi and Muslim characters. Rather than writing out accents or having entire conversations written in one of India’s many languages, Mistry shows cultural differences in language by dropping Hindi ejaculations, expressions, and habits into the story and dialogue. He doesn’t spend time explaining what “Hai Ram!” means or what chapatis are, yet readers understand the story and character interactions through context and well-built settings.

Don’t fall prey to the temptation of writing accents into character dialogue. Instead, use slang, vocabulary, and grammar where you can for characterization and to get the sound of your dialogue across. If you aren’t a native speaker of a dialect you choose, try to find someone who is to give you a read-through and tell you if your dialogue comes across as authentic or as someone who’s trying too hard.

And the best advice I can give you (for any matter on writing): read! Read widely. Read fiction and non-fiction, fantasy and romance. Read about all genders, races, and sexualities. Read books that take place in foreign countries and feature main characters native to those countries. See how professionally published authors—both authors you like and authors you don’t like—write non-English characters. What can you learn from them? What do they do well? What do they do that you don’t like?

Adventures in Writing will be on haitus for a bit as our Adventurer goes off to have the real-life adventures of moving and marriage. Our regularly scheduled column will return shortly!

LIBRARY LOVESwritten by OliveDreams < PM: >

@CesareBorgia has dropped in to share all things books! Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Let’s get down to it.

Something New:

The Messenger by Markus Zusak

CesareBorgia: One of my favorite novels is The Messenger by Markus Zusak, it's really good, but it hasn't had a lot of attention. Which is surprising, seeing as The Book Thief is now becoming a movie.

Something Familiar:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

CB: A book that I would recommend that is mainstream, is called The Book Thief… xD…I would recommend it because it delves deep into the Holocaust. Also it tells writers that they don't have to go crazy in describing characters.

Something Loved:

The Giver by Lois Lowry

CB: The Giver. I love that book because it's so good. It's touching and sad, and it doesn't die out. No matter how many times I read it, it's still a very good book

Thanks CesareBorgia! I’m reading The Book Thief myself at the moment, and I know how much @StellaThomas loves it also

STORYBOOK UPDATE written by AfterTheStorm < PM: >

Fresh from the Press

Storybooks! Get yer hot-off-the-press Storybooks here! And I’ve got a heaping pile of great new additions just for you. Check it out!

Both Ouran High School Host Club and Adventures: The Draconian Gambit hit the forums on May 3rd, still warm from their creator’s computers.

If you’re a fan of the anime Ouran High School Host Club, head on over to @Fade’s brand new SB which is still accepting!

Then if you’re feeling quite adventurous and particularly wibbly-wobbly, join @Griffinkeeper and SPEW on another adventure through YWS, working with Knights, AI, ray guns, stun guns, guns that we’re not sure what they do, guns that Grif won’t let you touch, guns that turn @Rydia pink, and other fun and dangerous gadgets to use against anti-creative regimes. Here’s what Grif wrote:





*starts playing the SPEW theme song, even though there probably isn’t one in existence*

More recently, @AfterTheStorm (hm, she seems familiar) posted The Seven Masks of Fate: A Monster’s Masquerade this Wednesday. It reads,






When seven men and women sail to the fabled Isles of Dravak-ile, beauty and splendor await them. However, behind that haunting majesty lurks Dul’edai, a puppeteer and toy master, genius and monster. And he just so happens to be the host to these seven oblivious travelers. Broken men stand no chance against his games. Join in, and try to survive.



Are you new to Storybooks or need a refresher? @elinor20%brynn has you covered. On May 18th, this SB 101 workshop will go over:

- What a storybook is/how it compares and contrasts from other creative writing
- How to join/create a storybook
- How to create strong characters/posts
- How to get along with your fellow storybookers
- Why it's rewarding

Head on over with this link to RSVP for this great event or to find out more! Elinor said,






I highly suggest taking a few minutes out of your day to chat with awesome Storybookers for tricks of the trade. Check it out!



This week, @Alvarin stole the seat in the limelight. We sat down for a bit so I could get the backstory on this Swedish cat’s SB experience.



Alvarin: Well, it was the first thing I did when I joined YWS.. Which I think was in September 2012 (probably). I roleplayed a lot as a kid, and I was feeling nostalgic, so I Googled for some place where I could RP a bit, and when I found the SB section here I was stuck xD

*whispers:* (#prostatus)



A: Hmm.. Maybe. I mean, it had been almost ten years, and I only used to RP with one person, that I talked directly to (we were friends in RL). It was more like playing for lazy kids, rather than SBing.. So yeah, maybe a little bit, but not much.



A: Well, as always I'm in more SBs than I can handle. Brythilon and The Bound are the ones that are the most active right now, so you might want to check those out. . . .

I'm also hoping to get Wonderland Rift 2 pulled out of the archives soon.

Alvarin, when asked about why she thinks users should Storybook, replied,

A: One gets to cooperate with people, and play around with characters and events and plots and… All kinds of things. And also, I feel like my characters and my plotting have gotten so much better since I started with the SBs, and it's a great way to get to know characters that I want to eventually put in a novel. But really, I mostly do it just because it's fun.

Well, you heard the lady! There’s plenty of amazing opportunities for you to jump in and have fun Storybooking, so head on over to the SB forums (right after you read a few more Squills articles, that is). Plug into a new Storybook group today, and as always: Write on!

NEW ARRIVALS
by KnightTeen < PM: >

OH MYYY GOD
OH MI GOD YOU GUUUYS!
GUESS WHAT,
I'VE GOT A BIG SURPRISE!

WE'VE REACHED OVER 30 THOUSAND USERS!!!!!!!!!!!

And the person who can figure out my reference to a certain musical gets extra brownie points for awesomeness.

@FoodNerd • @DeathRa • @justinkalaveras • @Zhia • @Chelseacheyenne • @Izhur • @tyrauje • @Vanillica • @totypeawriter • @libbyloulovesyou • @vagahbond • @Storyandwriter678 • @PercyJacksonObsessor • @NightCreature • @TheAppleSolution • @BellaComy • @ThatWriterGuy • @Pixelshock • @Warlord • @jas199814 • @urve • @Sakets • @asalash • @BakuAppetizer • @thecheeseobsession • @crysteldreams321 • @Esthon • @1Weirdsituation • @Chekuri9 • @JamieBecker • @MicahTheCreator • @Nole • @JasperCollins • @LeaRye • @Emmy51 • @luv4horses • @whereveryouare • @morningowl200 • @GUY99 • @fender • @RookMoonHammer • @aruncruise • @GummyBearClaire20 • @smartfolk280 • @SetAFire • @kymorhens • @ContestPointPool • @MFLOVE • @luxshana • @TashHill • @KyleSucka • @Crosa • @Henox • @harshsaral • @Athulk123 • @GiddyUnicorn • @astutedude • @angellove • @RandomActsofKindness • @nikkisummers • @GStunning • @CelloMonroe • @TheWeeklyWriter • @RayaAslan • @soumya • @ImWolf • @Nishi196 • @emporiumblues • @BrilliantMustaches • @mkdionne • @EricFraser • @Kamelot09 • @HeWhoExpresses • @lilyblossom101 • @PenguinPK • @KLK99 • @happysmilers • @didi • @AlteringCreation • @akash333 • @Rajini • @Zermeen • @zardychess • @nikaquack17 • @angelQH • @nycto • @bunbunbun • @maulanadamar • @julietrose • @FiguringOutLife • @LuxWinchester • @yeupyuep • @emilygatesx • @+IsaMoore • @Felisca • @everjohnson • @BcRep • @artangel • @Profanisaurus • @Sherri • @Rosetta • @Paintedsky • @MyraPrim • @lovatic • @RexVerba • @blubunniesglitter • @SamSamtheGeek • @Aeri • @david653 • @Crazynessislife • @Yashdeep • @Shivika • @VergilthePoet • @hitxuanni • @Qrow • @sonofskyrim • @thebrightestfell • @sweetyami101 • @NotBobbywalker • @AlphaBaillie • @csl24899 • @MaxM • @KidChabbagePatch • @Drue • @Taneeya • @EmmaMoon • @IWantedToBeAWriter • @Ehtaniel • @muscleman • @Neversaynever • @SatansAngel • @alexiaparisien • @Mediuss • @Gilgurt • @Alchemist • @TUSDarryl • @heavynthebum •

THIS WEEK'S ROUNDUP – 5/11written by megsug < PM: >

You're our 1000th visitor! Choose from four BRAND NEW LINKS!!!!


@JohnLocke1 believes in a definite right and wrong. @Karzkin voices his differing opinion:







JohnLocke wants to know what you think about right and wrong and the gray area in between and how you determine what's right and what's wrong.


@HighTop @TashHill and @dragonlily all have similar dilemmas. They can't seem to decide on which novel idea to write about, so they've decided to ask you! I'm digging one of DragonLily's ideas:








All of the ideas this trio is trying to pick from are really interesting. Help them choose today!


You may have noticed a new user on YWS recently. @RandomActsofKindness explains their presence and advises you to check out this club. The club's mission is to:







Go join the club and be a kind person today!


If you need a little push to review, I've found the contest for you! Write a review a day, and if you don't you pay @ContestPointPool at least 50 points. When the contest end at the end of the year, the top three reviewers will get some serious pointage:






Sign up and get to reviewing!

SHAMELESS PLUGS

written by SquillsBot < PM: >

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SUBSCRIBERS

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