Now, I'm not saying to learn another language.
Actually, yes I am.
Naturally, you don't have to—it's not as if I can force you to—but I strongly suggest it. I'm speaking from personal experience when I tell you how beneficial it is. Knowing French makes it easy to infer the etymology of words. Even my severely limited knowledge of Greek does the same. During my short endeavor of learning German, I would see many names and relate them to a word of that origin. And before learning Japanese, I couldn't have told you what an object or a subject was, nor the difference who and whom, nor good and well.
I also speak with many people whose native tongues are French, Japanese, Greek, Polish, etc.. It's interesting to see what they struggle with, whether it be articles, pronunciation, or spelling. It makes one notice peculiar aspects of the English language. For example, the phrase "to make sense." How does something make sense? It doesn't; it has sense to it. That's why, in French, one says, "ça a du sense," which translates to "it has sense."
Not only that, but when you learn a language, you also learn its culture. And frankly, I love characters of a specific origin. No, it's not necessary, but it's nice. Then, you can chart the typical behaviour, foods, accents of a person of that origin, and use them. It can only improve your writing and make it even more memorable.
YOU ARE READING
Helpful Procrastination
Non-FictionPerhaps writing this book is procrastination in itself. But, at least, in doing so, I can help you. In this book, I'll be giving writing advice. No 5-page entries, just my advice in its most concise, blunt form. Enjoy.
