How to Write British Speaking Characters

I do not think that's his intent.

 

I didn't find it offensive. I thought you were being legit.

 

... I just thought it took up a lot of the page.

Spoiler: This, for example, is very very big

Astronomy Picture of the Day – NASA (April 12, 2016)

 

Definitely make sure you get the word differences right. I read a book set in Cambridge written by an American woman who didn't do this and it annoyed me to no end. "Digging for potatoes in Fall", for example. If she'd really done her research, she'd know we say "Autumn". (Plus she'd have her Victorian characters actually act like Victorians, but that's another rant.)

 

...and she wouldn't have capitalised seasons. Someone needs a new editor!

 

For the record, I'm not sure "freely sourced on the internet" equates with "not offensive" in most people's judgement...

 

I would put it in the NSFW (Not Safe For Work) category.

 

I don't know what that thing is, but if it's from space? I don't like it. Not one bit.

 

Yes, quite.

We call those vaginas. Is that the Next catalogue, or one of the old C&A's from a collection?

 

My understanding is the 'fall' is the older name for the season, and 'autumn' is an innovation. Granted, I think the victorians would have said the latter, but if you did go back far enough, Brits would be saying 'fall'.

 

Yes, according to grammarist.com, about a hundred years.

...

We can imagine Jane Austen types - discarding their ivory and their lace fans - 'Pray, such an invigorating breeze, this l'autumn, oui...'

Tho' French usage is pauvre apparently, if I remember my U/non-U regulations, seen as very middle lower middle lower, well, like Jane Austen, s'pose.

 

I'm sure this has been mentioned many times before, but get a beta-reader, Who is British, to help you with the language and sounding authentic. You clearly understand that stereotypes are particularly to be avoided… If you're thinking a British person would react differently to how an American one would in a certain situation, again ask your beta reader! Being from the UK myself, I know there are many, many differences And someone has suggested watching Doctor Who and Sherlock is a good starting point. This is actually a really good piece of advice! Mannerisms and turn of phrase can be corrected so just write your characters as you want to in their circumstances and perhaps they can be corrected later by feedback, if need be.