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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Lexi Blake: Writing Brit

Anyone who has read my Masters and Mercenaries series knows that I have a thing for Bond. Yes, as in Bond, James Bond. When I began the series in 2011 with The Dom Who Loved Me, I set out to marry two genres of entertainment I dearly love—romance and Bond films.

In some ways, Dungeon Royale is the absolute pinnacle of what I set out to do. The main character, Damon Knight, is an actual MI6 (or SIS as he would call himself) 00 agent. I’ve previously set other Masters and Mercenaries books in exotic locales like London and Russia and India, but Dungeon Royale is the first time I have two British leads. Liam O’Donnell from A Dom is Forever is Irish, but he’s spent the majority of his adult life in the states, so he doesn’t count. I wanted to bring Damon Knight and his heroine, Penelope Cash, to life in a realistic way when it came to their language.

That proved to be a challenge because Brits might speak English, but not the way we do.

I’ve spent a bit of time in England, but I rapidly discovered that writing like a Brit is harder than it sounds. Cursing is very different and requires intent as well as proper words. Brits use words differently than we do and figuring out the differences between arse, ass and bum was a spectacular challenge. I won’t even go into what happened when I tried to use the word fanny pack. Fanny doesn’t even enter into the aforementioned backside challenge of words. Fanny apparently means girl parts and I was told not to put a pack over those.

It got even worse when I brought in an Aussie. I found a book of Aussie slang and thought I had it made. My favorite Aussie phrase? Go put hot cocky cack in your eye. No idea what it meant, but it sounded so fun to me. It did not sound fun to my Aussie writer friend who stared at me and asked where I’d dredged up something like that. She also vetoed “You’ve got a few loose ‘roos in your upper chamber, mate.” Again, the Fiona stare and then the question. “You do know that Crocodile Dundee was back in the eighties, luv? Right?”

So it was back to the drawing board.

All in all I deeply enjoyed my foray into Brit speak. I hope I captured the flavor, the precise sexiness a James Bond character should have. I have to thank all my friends from across the pond and down under.

Dungeon Royale releases on February 18th.

Please comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of any of Lexi’s books – either e-book or paperback. Two winners will be chosen at random.

Lexi Blake writes contemporary romantic suspense and her latest novel, Dungeon Royale, releases today at Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Kobo, All Romance eBooks, and Smashwords.


30 comments:

Allie said...

I LOVE this series. I would love it in paperback along with the rest of the series. I only have it on my ereader, but I need it for my bookshelf. You are such a talented writer. Thank you

Reading by the Book said...

I am a TRUE fan of this series and now that you mentioned it, I see the Bond reference. I can't wait to dive into Damon book this afternoon. Happy Release Day

pansypetal said...

Lexi - I had figured out the Bond angle from the titles in this series. Therefore, I have been so very excited waiting for this particular chapter to come out! I loved Damon Knight in other chapters, and The Garden sounded fantastic! I am so very glad to finally get to read his story. Thank you! I must go read now!

Dar Gee reads said...

Your books are always good for a smile and a laugh as well as some extremely sexy and romantic scenes, there is nothing better!

Unknown said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series!! It's one of those "MUST BUY" that I click on as soon as the preorder option is available!! This is such a fun series and as intense as things can get for this group, they always make me laugh too. I especially LOVE Ian who I see as the "glue" that holds them all together. CONGRATULATIONS to Lexi on yet another GREAT job!

Unknown said...

Loved this book. I love all the books you have written.

Marianne said...

This is a GREAT series! Thank you so much for giving us the hours of escape while reading!

Unknown said...

I couldn't put the book down. I loved Damon's and Penny's story. Can't wait for the others.

Lisa W said...

Amazing series. ..Thank you so much for all you put into it Lexi

Kyrulz said...

Fabulous series. Can't wait to read it

sassytdw said...

Although I am guessing that while your friends were helpful that laughed hysterically right after they gave you that stare!! I am looking forward to what you came up with. (and being pure American I probably won't know what the slang means or if it is used incorrectly ;) )

Unknown said...

Half way through the book and can't seem to put it down. Thank you for another wonderful story!!!!

Unknown said...

great series can't wait until Chelsea and Simon book comes out

Unknown said...

I love this series. I cannot wait to read this. It is next on my list.

Unknown said...

I absolutely love this series!!! Lexington Blake's writing is amazing...it's an emotional roller coaster; in a great way!

Misty said...

I love me some heroes with accents! I'm glad you have writer friends from other countries that help guide you to the "better" phrases. I too was caught up in the "fanny" mess. Unfortunately, people kept forcing me to say it so they could hear it in my funny American accent.

Unknown said...

Looking forward to reading it!

Alina P said...

I just finished it and it was amazing! Lexi you made me love Damon even more :O I can't wait to read Simon's book :D

Unknown said...

It was fanfuckingtastic!! I loved Damon and Penelope!!

ashleyd said...

This series gets more exciting with each book. Lexi is amazeballs and knows how to surprise you in each book. Mission Impossible with steamy romance and sex that is just so damn hot. Love to see this series continue on for many many years.

sillie said...

Yummy yummy
on the edge
totally in book mentally emotionally if only physically

Lil said...

Had to chuckle while reading your post. Was in England and had complimented a businessman on his suspenders. The people around us stopped and stared at me, jaws dropped. Men's suspenders are called braces there and what I had named are, apparently, what we know as garter belt.

little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

Mary Preston said...

I must say that getting the language just right for another English speaking country would be a mine field.

Laurie G said...

I'm new to your writing. I do like romances and James Bond movies so it sounds like a winning combination!

I'm sure they were a challenge to write. Congrats on your latest release.

erin said...

Congrats to Lexi on the new release! I"m new to this series and I'm definitely going to have to go check them out :)

Unknown said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series!! Congrats to Lexi on the new release!

Di said...

I watch a lot of British TV & movies and it's so true that they have a different way to phrase things and different words - I can imagine that that took the extra time to get right.

Unknown said...

Congrats on release, great cover!!

Eli Yanti said...

Haven't read any book from this series, going to check it soon

Kate Seally said...

Love love love Lexi and all her series'!!