I Need Some Literary Advice

[lolitasteward]

I intend to write a novel set in a Greek island (probably one of the Ionian islands) during the Venetian rule. Some of the characters are Greek and some of them are Venetian (Italian) priests, nuns and rulers. Do you think I should write it in English (for a larger audience), Greek or Italian? And yes, I do speak all the three languages plus two other languages.

[10ClarionSt]

I'm no expert, absolutely not, but would it not be best in the language of the country that you think it would be most popular?

[lolitasteward]

10clarionSt/

I think both Italians and Greeks would appreciate it because it's a common part of history between them. But I'm not sure.

[Atheist]

English might be the best language, as it would have a wider audience.

[bookbinder]

Atheist is right. Write it in English, because that's a universal language. Greek and Italian readers will buy the book, I'm sure, and, you never know, it might get taken up by readers in the USA.

[jourdain2]

I also think that you should write it in English.  I am, however, minded of  'Vilette' (Charlotte Bronte) where quite a lot of pertinent passages (often several pages long) are written in French.

When I read it as a teenager, my French was quite inadequate to cope with it (I've read it since becoming more fluent and it does add a lot to understanding the text).  She wrote it, however, to minimise the incomprehensibility to those who could not speak French and later references to the passages gave insights into their content.

Pdrhaps this could be your way forward?  Another way would be to provide translations as footnotes - or larger addendums.

Hope this helps. :)

[sandyRoe]

How about writing it in your mother tongue?

If it was published it could then be translated.