Rebecca Glenn
asked
Steve Robinson:
Steve, I really enjoyed the entire JT series! I especially like how suspenseful/unpredictable the plot can be. My only criticism is that it's obviously a Brits pov. Sorry, but since JT is American, shouldn't the vernacular be? Torch should be flashlight. Hire car should be rental. Boot=trunk, and so on... It was a little off-putting at first, but I got over it. I pictured a tall Jack Black as JT. Make a movie!!!
Steve Robinson
Hi Rebecca, and thanks for the question. I'm glad you're enjoying the series so far. Do look out for book 7 later this year.
Regarding the use of British-English words, as a Brit living in England, where most of the books are set, I have to write in British-English for my home market. This doesn't apply to any American character's dialogue, such as Jefferson Tayte's, of course, which should be true to character. You won't actually hear JT saying British-English words where there's an American variant. I try very hard, along with my editors, to make sure he sounds like an American when he's actually speaking. So, while the narrative might say 'Tayte flicked on his torch' for example, which is perfectly correct for a book written by a Brit in British-English, in his dialogue he'd say things like, 'Hand me that flashlight, would you?'' A foreign translation into American-English would change things, but that rarely happens as the languages are already so similar. I hope that helps to clarify things.
I'd love to see this series on the big screen. Jack Black could make a great JT, and I think Ben Affleck would also be a good choice. Hang on, he produces his own movies, doesn't he? Now where did I put my contact list? :)
Regarding the use of British-English words, as a Brit living in England, where most of the books are set, I have to write in British-English for my home market. This doesn't apply to any American character's dialogue, such as Jefferson Tayte's, of course, which should be true to character. You won't actually hear JT saying British-English words where there's an American variant. I try very hard, along with my editors, to make sure he sounds like an American when he's actually speaking. So, while the narrative might say 'Tayte flicked on his torch' for example, which is perfectly correct for a book written by a Brit in British-English, in his dialogue he'd say things like, 'Hand me that flashlight, would you?'' A foreign translation into American-English would change things, but that rarely happens as the languages are already so similar. I hope that helps to clarify things.
I'd love to see this series on the big screen. Jack Black could make a great JT, and I think Ben Affleck would also be a good choice. Hang on, he produces his own movies, doesn't he? Now where did I put my contact list? :)
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Jan 23, 2018 12:33PM · flag
Jan 23, 2018 01:58PM · flag