A yank who would appreciate some SUFC culture- and general football schooling

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Jennifer said:
Oh boy.
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To time your thread for POETS day, when UK PLC as a whole will be looking for an excuse to do anything other than fulfill their gainful employment (I.e. post crap on a message board) was perhaps a tad naïve :D
 

SouthEssexBlade said:
Using 'while' rather than 'until' still perplexes Mrs SEB. As does 'if tha starved put a cooat on!' and 'gerrus a bag o spice'

(for our American friend, starved = cold and spice = sweets or candy)
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Not forgetting, "err, errrr"

Ahm gooing darn to t' err errr, post office.

I told a mate of mine that I'd know for years that he said "err, errr" quite often. He didn't believe me :D
 
Didn't realize it was Poets Day. I should be flogged for that, I suppose, considering I am a writer. But, my specialty is prose.

Or does Poets Day not mean what I think it means?
 
BornOnShoreham said:
Not forgetting, "err, errrr"

Ahm gooing darn to t' err errr, post office.

I told a mate of mine that I'd know for years that he said "err, errr" quite often. He didn't believe me :D
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I used to do that until I went on some work related interviewing skills course which was videoed - the idea being you watched back so everyone could make suggestions for how to improve your techniques. I really didn't know I did it, quite incredible.

err, at least I think I've stopped!
 
Jennifer said:
Didn't realize it was Poets Day. I should be flogged for that, I suppose, considering I am a writer. But, my specialty is prose.
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If you ever come to Sheffield, there's a nice friendly club called Le Chambre you might consider visiting
 
Jennifer said:
As for characterization of this guy: If it helps to know this, I come from a working-class, hardscrabble background myself. I've worked since I was 13. And though my character lives a more comfortable life financially now, he's never forgotten his roots. It's why, despite his culinary chops, he refuses to do haute cuisine and believes you can have good food that satisfies at a reasonable price. So I promise not to characterize him as the villain or some story that's egregiously pro-American. He's a bit walking wounded, though, because of something that happened ten years prior to the story's beginning. Something that bonds him with my primary protagonist, despite their difference in background.
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Jenifer - Loosely speaking, does that make him/us -
a. The damaged, working class northern boor with few social graces and a chip on his shoulder who loses out to his socially superior, smooth, sophisticated protagonist (like a 1950s British film where the class system largely defined the good from the bad) - or
b. A plucky ordinary bloke who's struggled through the hard times and finds a way to cope in his own terms - and who despite the odds manages to beat the odds and put one over the "system" (Robert Carlyle and the Full Monty)

Don't want to pry into your plot - but we've had enough kickings since the 70s without being painted as losers again. I hope the fact that that you're from a similar background to us helps have some connection with us.
 
FlamingLip said:
Despite the Microsoft introducing it in icon form, no-one over here would ever say 'trash'. It's 'rubbish'.

'garbage' could be used, but not to describe actual garbage. For instance, Dean Hammond could be widely described as 'fcking garbage'. But you'd never throw your Dean Hammond pannini sticker in the garbage, it'd be thrown in the 'bin'.

Oh and as for beer, I've lived across the UK and spent a lot of time in the States and Europe. Sheffield ale is the absolute dogs bollocks (very good) compared to everywhere I've been. A cut above. Different gravy.
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https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/10/travel/2014-places-to-go.html?_r=0
Her countryfolk at the New York Times would agree, number 22 on the above link.....
 
seanbeenstattoo said:
So so unbelievably predictable.
Someone posts as a female,maybe is maybe isn't,dosen't matter and every man and his dog comes slavering all over the thread rutting and posturing in testosterone fuelled efforts to impress.
Absolute classic.
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Well, in our defence, we are somewhat starved of female company. Linz is the only other regular female poster, and I don't think testosterone fuelled efforts to impress her would go down too well...
 
SheepdipBlade said:
Jenifer - Loosely speaking, does that make him/us -
a. The damaged, working class northern boor with few social graces and a chip on his shoulder who loses out to his socially superior, smooth, sophisticated protagonist (like a 1950s British film where the class system largely defined the good from the bad) - or
b. A plucky ordinary bloke who's struggled through the hard times and finds a way to cope in his own terms - and who despite the odds manages to beat the odds and put one over the "system" (Robert Carlyle and the Full Monty)

Don't want to pry into your plot - but we've had enough kickings since the 70s without being painted as losers again. I hope the fact that that you're from a similar background to us helps have some connection with us.
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You're not prying, Sweetie. And I'll gladly tell you on no uncertain terms of I ever feel you're being otherwise. I have ZERO intentions of painting this guy as some loser. That's why I'll probably be recruiting some of you as beta readers when the time comes just to make sure his portrayal is accurate and respectful.
 
Jennifer said:
Oh, and I get along better with guys, anyway. You tend to be less dramatic than us girls, and more fun. If you get on my nerves, I'll just tell you to sod off, how's that?
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Sod off?!
Good start, if you can tell someone to go bollocks at some point then you're officially a Brit!

(Bollocks is a noun, an adjective & a verb by the way!)
 

Jennifer said:
He's a bit walking wounded, though, because of something that happened ten years prior to the story's beginning. Something that bonds him with my primary protagonist, despite their difference in background.
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..they went to Hillsborough didn't they..she's a pig.... :oops:
 
If you're looking for an equivalent story of bad luck, think Red Sox pre 2004

I'm not sure who our Babe Ruth and Harry Frazee are though for our curse
 
seanbeenstattoo said:
So so unbelievably predictable.
Someone posts as a female,maybe is maybe isn't,dosen't matter and every man and his dog comes slavering all over the thread rutting and posturing in testosterone fuelled efforts to impress.
Absolute classic.
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image.jpeg

seanbeenstattoo said:
My handle is based purely on Beanie being a long standing mate with whom I've enjoyed some interesting drinking and football. We also have the same tattoo which is the reference within the handle.
I could blather on about having visited 43 of your states and blah blah blah but I won't. I've actually forgotten what your original post asked,for which I apologise. If I can be of any help with regard to what it is you are looking to discover I'll be happy to help. If I have any worthwhile information. Which I probably don't.
Go Blades.
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image.jpeg
 
One bit of advice I would offer you, which I'm sure you've already thought of, is decide who you are wanting to buy your book.
If you are aiming at a US or general English speaking audience then be careful making your character use too much language that only people from this part of the world would understand otherwise they will quickly turn off. Make him believable and recognisably a Sheffielder but also accessible to all. As others have said if he's lived there for a while he will have had to adapt his language to allow people to understand him. That said he will no doubt at his core still reflect and talk like a man from round here.
Difficult balance but I'm sure you can do it. Good luck.
 
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Yellarbellyblade said:
Sod off?!
Good start, if you can tell someone to go bollocks at some point then you're officially a Brit!

(Bollocks is a noun, an adjective & a verb by the way!)
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But don't tell someone you want to go bollocks that they're the dogs bollocks cos that's a good thing round 'ere

As a random question Jennifer do you write a plot line or just have one in your head then run with it? Write in the first or third person?
 
Her countryfolk at the New York Times would agree, number 22 on the above link.....[/QUOTE]

But keep quiet about The Fat Cat Jennifer, starting a new job down near there on the 3rd and don't want to have to wade through thousands of Yanks to get to the bar.

[Nowt against Yanks by the way].
 
Jennifer said:
You're not prying, Sweetie. And I'll gladly tell you on no uncertain terms of I ever feel you're being otherwise. I have ZERO intentions of painting this guy as some loser. That's why I'll probably be recruiting some of you as beta readers when the time comes just to make sure his portrayal is accurate and respectful.
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You need to call him LYDON

Whatever he gets up to will not shock anyone.
 
Yellarbellyblade said:
One bit of advice I would offer you, which I'm sure you've already thought of, is decide who you are wanting to buy your book.
If you are aiming at a US or general English speaking audience then be careful making your character use too much language that only people from this part of the world would understand otherwise they will quickly turn off. Make him believable and recognisably a Sheffielder but also accessible to all. As others have said if he's lived there for a while he will have had to adapt his language to allow people to understand him. That said he will no doubt at his core still reflect and talk like a man from round here.
Difficult balance but I'm sure you can do it. Good luck.
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Totally. Writing in dialect always seems a good idea but it's a pain to write and irritating to read for the vast majority. Avoid.

You make people believable and likeable (if that's what you intend) with characterisation, action and crisp dialogue sprinkled with the odd colloquialism.

Good luck.
 

SheepdipBlade said:
Do you have any thoughts about where in Sheffield he's from? Thoughts anyone? Sharrow - the Manor - Fulwood - Totley?
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Not sure yet. Researching council estate life for a young lad growing up in the 1960's and 70's. Got some folks at Sheffield Forum helping me with that.

Esablade said:
..they went to Hillsborough didn't they..she's a pig.... :oops:
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Well, as SHE is an American from my neck of the woods, born and raised, she doesn't really have a dog in the fight, as it were. But, I am fairly certain that she will be assimilated into Blades fandom/culture as her bond with my ex-pat strengthens. Much like I was assimilated into (University of) Louisville Cardinals culture when I married my husband.

Dkc said:
On a serious note Jennifer you really need to visit Sheffield and spend some time there to write about it well.
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I ache to do just that, seriously. It will take me awhile to save up passport, airfare, and expenses funds, though. The State kinda likes it when your kid eats and has a sturdy roof over his head, clothes on his back, etc.

Yellarbellyblade said:
One bit of advice I would offer you, which I'm sure you've already thought of, is decide who you are wanting to buy your book.
If you are aiming at a US or general English speaking audience then be careful making your character use too much language that only people from this part of the world would understand otherwise they will quickly turn off. Make him believable and recognisably a Sheffielder but also accessible to all. As others have said if he's lived there for a while he will have had to adapt his language to allow people to understand him. That said he will no doubt at his core still reflect and talk like a man from round here.
Difficult balance but I'm sure you can do it. Good luck.
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Thanks for the vote of confidence and the well wishes! And I agree with everything you mentioned about language and accessibility.

ThroughThinAndThinner said:
But don't tell someone you want to go bollocks that they're the dogs bollocks cos that's a good thing round 'ere

As a random question Jennifer do you write a plot line or just have one in your head then run with it? Write in the first or third person?
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This story is being told in first person, by my primary protagonist. I guess you could say I envision what I want to happen. Where I want it to start, what I want to the end result to be, and then go at it. Sometimes, when I'm in-scene, I realize something's not right. Either it's not something the character would do, or something else would be better because it would elevate conflict or tension, or it's too early in the progression of events for THAT THING to happen. I am a planner, for sure, but I'm not so fastidious about it that I can't change things when it's called for.
 
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