My first attempt at a novel with NaNoWriMo was last year, which ended disastrously for me! This year I have a lot more time, and I'm going to try my hand at this novel thing once again.
I wish everyone the best of luck, but I'm just curious, how many people in this group are actually Turkish, and how many are expats lounging on our beaches with their laptops!!? I don't have anything against expats (I'm an Turk living abroad myself), but it would be nice to see a lot more Turks attempting English novels.
Either way, let's talk.
----------
51,766 / 50,000
Oct 27, 2007 - 21 37
Hell, I'd like to see Turks attempting Turkish novels.
My boyfriend keeps saying he'd like to do NaNo but his original excuse was that he couldn't write perfectly in English. I keep telling him he can write in Turkish, but I think he believes that if he writes a novel in Turkish no one will ever read it. Of course the goal of writing for NaNo is not necessarily about attracting an audience, but I take his point about NaNo-loneliness if your first language is not English. Perhaps those who speak European languages have a better chance of finding a peer group, but Turks? Well, you're the first one I've encountered here so far.
I think it's great that the NaNo people are translating the web site into different languages, because up until now there was a strong implication that this thing was mostly for Americans. There are still some issues in that regard (e.g. the FAQ describes any novel not in English as "foreign,"), but they're getting better overall. I would like to see more non-English forums and forum posts, though, and maybe the conversation there will put people at ease about writing in languages other than English.
M
----------different things altogether: http://melissamaples.com/
3,797 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2007 - 03 40
I feel like Turks are sternly against writing in English. Even our Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk won simply because of brilliant translation. Personally, I prefer to read in English. Elif Safak (that rare Turkish writer who writes primarily in English) herself has said that the Turkish language is emotional whereas English is mathematical, which is why you can't really express everything in a Turkish novel. I don't know if you can read Turkish, but it's true... you can't compare any of the rubbish you find in a Turkish bookstore with a Dickens, for instance.
I went off on a tangent, but my point is... a country that strives to be accepted in the EU should make some attempt at adaptation.
BTW, thanks for adding me to your buddy list.
51,105 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2007 - 13 23
I am an American who has lived in Istanbul for 20 years. I do not consider myself an "expat." I am an immigrant. To me "expats" are the women who frequent the American Women's Association in their power suits and complain about their lives although they live in gated communities with pools and drive luxury cars. I have met Americans who have lived here for 40 years and still cannot express anything but the most basic Turkish. To be an expat you have to be ex (out of ) patria (the country), but Istanbul is my home. I have spent all of my adult life here, earned my graduate degree here, have raised my daughter here with my Turkish husband. All of my friends are Turkish. Not all foreign-origin people are tourists or short-term workers.
----------Worms, Roxanne, worms!
1,885 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2007 - 01 36
Hello Em (?)
I agree with you on the definition. I've been here since 1999 and I do get "lumped in" with the expats. I consider Turkey to be my home - I have no home in the UK, all my "stuff" is here and I plan to retire here - although not in Istanbul hopefully!
I had a taste of IWI and didn't fit in with the gated community, chauffeured cars, full staff at the villa etc. I am moving to Cihangir this month because I haven't found a niche in Turkish society and, after 8 years of being fairly alone and isolated, I need some company.
What brought you to Turkey in the first place? How's the writing going? I've got well and truly stuck!
50,809 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2007 - 02 54
1. I do not get involved in ANY foreign or Turkish women's organisations.
2. I am an African - Zimbabwean to be precise.
3. I have lived here for 11 months.
4. I don't own a power suit.
5. I drive an eight year old car I brought with me from Greece. A Citroen Saxo.
I am sorry I joined your forum. I make no apologies for stating who I am or where I come from. I did not realise I would have to explain myself in this way, and I really don't believe I have done anything to deserve this kind of comment. I would NEVER make assumptions about anyone from ONE single comment posted in a forum. Xenophobia is not something I thought I'd encounter on this site. I have withdrawn from your group. Not one of my friends online has had to face this kind of comment.
Good luck with your NaNo. I am sorry you feel I am not suited for your group.
1,885 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2007 - 04 09
Hi Sarah
You may have already gone but just thought I'd respond anyway.
Not sure why you have taken umbrage - I am "foreign" like you, living in
Turkey. The talk about expats was in response to Ozmosis's intial
posting.
All this seems rather unnecessary and we've all got better things to do.