Why do I write in another language?
If I had a penny, as the saying goes, for every time this question has been put to me, I’d be a rich woman indeed.
Of course, there are reasons, something which I’ve been writing about for a while now, ever since I published The English Heart in 2012. This novel is based on the story of how I met my Englishman and ended up moving to Britain. When later, much later, I started my writing career, I decided to write in English even though this is my third language after Finnish and Swedish.
I believe that knowing different languages enriches your life and through that your writing.
In Write in Another Language in 10 Easy Steps, I share with you a few practical tips I use to make it easier to write in another language. I will show you how to:
Strengthen your language skills
- Ensure your text is free from errors
- Use software and other online tools
- Take advantage of your ‘foreigness’
- Avoid your inner critic and let your words flow
- How other writers use a second language for inspiration
Reviews
A gem of a book
The list of exophonic (writing in a language that is not their mother tongue) authors is growing rapidly thanks to unprecedented opportunities opened by technological development. Still, all of them face challenges which are almost impossible to understand for someone who never tried to master a foreign language.
Professional writing is a life-long endeavor requiring unbelievable effort. Add to it the burden of a foreign language, and next time you see an exophonic writer, take your hat off because you’ve just met a superhero.
The market is full of books offering advice on writing but it is really difficult to find any advice for people who write or aspire to write in a foreign language. Helena Halme’s book is filling this gap with gusto.
The book is not only encouraging but offers practical, down-to-earth tips from someone who understands all those challenges. What’s even more important, her book provides the readers with the hope that with hard work, enthusiasm, and belief, everything is possible.
Thank you for the book I’ve been looking for for years. And I’m waiting for an audio version so that I could listen to it repeatedly.–5***** on Amazon
Excellent Advice
I have just begun my foray into writing in my second language and Helena’s experience and tips are excellent. She covers foreign language, language itself, and even writing as a whole. I highly recommend this book to anyone hoping to express themselves in a second language.–5***** on Amazon
Write in Another Language in 10 Easy Steps is now out in both ebook and paperback form!
Download this guide on writing in another language today. Just tap here to get your copy.