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Andrea's avatar

Looking forward to read your book. I'm also curious about your process in writing fiction as well as non fiction in English as a non native English writer, which I am too myself :-). Are you talking about that somewhere? Would love to hear more about that, issues such as for example whether you feel you need to be immersed in the English language full on (like being abroad) regularly or not. Thank you for this post and greetings from Stockholm!

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Lidija Hilje's avatar

Thank you so much, Andrea!

Actually, I was waiting to respond to your message so that I could include the link in my answer –– I actually talked about my experience writing in English as my second language on the CHOSEN TONGUE podcast (link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BWh4Lg7tqSx5ds3IdNSBl?si=37cb785b63a14c71)

The host also interviewed other exophonic writers, including Yael van der Wouden and Andre Aciman, so you might want to check her other episodes too.

I also write about some *challenges* of writing in my second language here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-149704151?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

My friend and fellow book coach @karmenspiljak wrote about exophonic writing in her article for Jane Friedman blog: https://janefriedman.com/exophonic-writing-crafting-fiction-in-a-foreign-language/

Glad to have you here, Andrea! The struggle is real but you're not alone!

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Andrea's avatar

Thank you so much Lidija! Looking forward to this! 😍

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Dustye Muse's avatar

Hooray! I just ordered your book.

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Lidija Hilje's avatar

That truly means the world to me! Thank you!

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Thao Thai's avatar

We’re so close to Slanting Towards the Sea month!! I’m excited to watch the world embrace your novel, friend. ❤️ (and I put Hot Milk on my TBR ASAP!)

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Lidija Hilje's avatar

Thank you so much, Thao! Yes, less than three weeks until pub day, it’s terrifying! Btw, I honestly cannot wait for your next book! Do you know the pub day?

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Jo Bratt's avatar

This is such a compelling summer reading list!

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Chandi Wyant's avatar

Great list Lidija! Glad to learn about Sea Wife, which I hadn't heard of. Can't wait to get your book that I pre-ordered!

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