Youād think with German precision and Spanish passion, Iād be writing in one of those languagesābut nope, here I am, typing away in English!
I was born in Germany to very Spanish parents. My mother, a Spanish teacher with a big love for cooking, whips up everything from elegant dinners to ābasicā Spanish staples like her famous paella, cocido, and tortillas. Letās just say her food is legendary in our house. My dad, before he retired, was a skilled chemical workerāa teddy bear of a man with the heart of a proud toreador. Growing up, our home was loud, intense, warm, and always filled with the delicious smells of Spanish cuisine. It was a constant balancing act, being Spanish at home while growing up in Germany. If I had to describe myself, Iād say Iām a perfect mix of both cultures.
So, why donāt I write in my native languages? Good question.
The Year That Changed Everything (and My Accent)
At 19, fresh out of school, I decided it was time to leave my bi-cultural home and throw a third culture into the mix. So, I packed my bags and headed to America to work as an Au Pair. I ended up in Massachusetts with a wonderful family that quickly became my own. My host mom, Linda, was a schoolteacher with a brilliant way of correcting my Englishāsheād simply repeat my sentences back to me the right way, without ever making me feel self-conscious.
āSo, you went to the movies yesterday?ā sheād ask, her tone both warm and encouraging, turning every conversation into a mini English lesson.
Living with a schoolteacher, a mostly silent host dad, and two very outgoing boys was like being in a daily language boot camp. If you donāt learn the language there, where on earth will you?
Reading and Watching My Way to (Almost) Native
As a child, I was always a bit of a bookworm (but thatās another story for another day). My love for reading grew exponentially when I lived in America. Linda was an avid reader and loved sharing her books with me. Her passion rubbed off, and before I knew it, I was hooked. This was the beginning of my book collectionāa collection thatās now grown into a small library of over a thousand books (90 percent are in English).
I became obsessed with yard sales, thrift shops, and any place that had a stack of books for sale. If they had books, I bought them. My luggage went back to Germany heavier by a few poundsā¦okay, maybe a hundred.
After a year, it was time to leaveāI had a spot waiting for me at university, where I studied Drama, American Studies, and German. By then, my accent was nearly perfect; you could hardly tell I wasnāt from around. People were always surprised when I told them I was from Germany. But when I got back home, the hardest part was the language.
I couldnāt bear to watch movies or TV shows in German anymore. Back then, I had to buy VHS tapes from the UK just to watch Friends in English. When DVDs with language options came, they were a godsend! I know, I know, itās hard to imagine now with streaming services at our fingertips, but back then it was a struggle! Over the last 30 years, Iāve read hundreds of books in English and watched all my movies and shows in English. So, my mind and soul pretty much feel native. But letās face it: if you donāt speak English every day, youāll hear it. And of course, thereās an accent nowātrust me, I hear it too. Sometimes Iām searching for words, mixing in a little German or Spanish. But hey, speaking three languages fluently isnāt too shabby, right?
The Decision to Write in English (And Yes, Blame It on Hollywood)
Honestly, writing in English feels like a no-brainer. English is my spirit animal.
And even though Iām still far from it, when I think about self-publishing my books, letās be real: the English-speaking world is like the cool kidās table of literature. English just makes sense for accessibility and market reach. And I canāt deny itāI dream of seeing my books sold in New York Cityās Strand Bookstore someday. Probably on the bargain table. But hey, Iāll take it!
Embracing the Accent and the English Word Count
So here I am, writing away in English, fueled by a lifetime of multicultural experiences, countless books, and a passion that transcends language. My journey with English isnāt just about grammar or accentāitās about finding a voice that feels true to me, no matter how many languages swirl in my head.
Sure, when I speak my accent might give away my roots, and sometimes I mix up words or phrases, but thatās part of the charm, isnāt it? Writing in English allows me to connect with a wider audience, share my stories, and, letās be honest, itās also a little rebellion against my inner critic who still whispers, āStick to what you know.ā Well, I know this: stories donāt need perfect grammar, just a little heart, some courage, and maybe a hint of an accent.
So, whether you hear a bit of German, a dash of Spanish, or just my passion for English in my words, I hope youāll find a story worth reading. After all, the real magic happens when you dare to write in the language that speaks to your soulāeven if itās not the one you were born with.
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