writing query

[tigriswolf]

If a character is talking about the various royal families in Europe, is it okay to call them all 'European royalty' or should he name out countries?  And is it okay to say 'a book about European history'? 

For some reason, I just hit a total snag and don't know what's right anymore. *sigh* I fucking hate sinus infections.

Also: would Kurt&Blaine have keys to each others' houses?

Comments

[averzierlia.livejournal.com]

on the also: I totally think so!

[tigriswolf]

It makes part of the story far more convenient.

[lazaria91.livejournal.com]

If he's being general about it, like offhand, 'European royalty' is fine. If it's a plot point to be called back upon, or you actually meet the royal person, no.

Yes. It's a continent, thus encompasses a whole.

Probably.

[tigriswolf]

See, that's where I got confused. He's flipping through a history book about European royalty and finds his own family. How would I phrase that correctly?

[lazaria91.livejournal.com]

it really depends on what you're actually saying, I think.

Since it's important, you'd say 'insert-country-here' royalty, or something like "there's a royal family in INSERT named Hummel (I'm assuming). Since the Glee kids are teens, they'd probably stick to 'European' when referencing back to the knowledge until it gets close to home and they know more about it, then they'd switch to the country name.

[tigriswolf]

Thanks! That's pretty much how I have it.

[mynorthwind.livejournal.com]

Yes, to both. European history/royalty is PC enough.

[tigriswolf]

Thanks!

[ratherbe4gotten.livejournal.com]

Just to be contrary, I guess it depends what you're going for. No one from the UK (or probably the rest of Europe) would lump European royalty in together (although some parts or Europe are more related/integrated than others). On the other hand, if it was a passing comment, coming from someone from outside of Europe, then it would probably be understandable.

I guess, it's like saying 'I have a cousin in North America' when what you mean is 'I have a cousin in Canada'... having links to Canada doesn't necessarily mean that you have links to the US. They're the same continent, but they're not the same thing.

[tigriswolf]

'I have a cousin in North America' when what you mean is 'I have a cousin in Canada'... having links to Canada doesn't necessarily mean that you have links to the US. They're the same continent, but they're not the same thing.

That's a good point, but there are only three countries in North America.

The pov is from someone who just found out he's the heir of a tiny little nation called Genovia, who's never really noticed or cared about Europe on the whole before.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Yes especially to the former, because they're all related to each other.

There are books about the history of Europe in general and events that shaped multiple European countries, as well as books about the histories of specific ones.

[tigriswolf]

Thanks!