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| Source: Mudgee Guardian |
I've a question to ask of my international (particularly US) blog readers... Do you know what touch football is?
The characters in my current ms play mixed (as in guys and gals) touch football. I know it's an Aussie game that developed from rugby league, and I know it's now played around the world, including the US. But will readers know what it is?
I don't explain the game in my story, and my critique partners are worried overseas readers won't understand, that readers will associate it with lingerie football or gridiron, or even soccer.
It's something I always struggle with - what do international readers know? I don't want to treat my future readers like idiots and spell everything out, but at the same time I don't want them scratching their heads, or misinterpreting something, because I didn't explain.
A lot of the time I use context, or actions to demonstrate meaning. But in this instance, there are references made to touch footy a number of times before anyone is actually on the field. And it's a bit hard to use context or action to show meaning if they aren't actually playing.
This is a tricky one and I really need to know what *you* know before I worry about how to explain it in my ms.
I'd love to hear your answers. Remember to tell me the country you're from in your comment. Thank you!