I’m guest-blogging today for Cleo Coyle, who is inundated with obligations this moment… good luck with everything, Cleo!
And… Happy Thanksgiving to you all! (In a couple of days.)
But I won’t be partaking this Thursday, as I’m Canadian, and we had our Thanksgiving feast October 9th, more than a month ago. It seems so long ago now!
I sometimes wonder if Americans see any difference between citizens of the two countries? I think it’s natural that Canadians, as citizens of the smaller (in population) and more dependent (the US is by far our largest trading partner) of the two countries, think about this more, and reflect on the things that make us different and similar. We take a lot of American history in school, and I must say, I don’t often have too much trouble with American capital cities on Jeopardy. (What is Bismarck, North Dakota, Alex.)
This American Thanksgiving I will say a big ‘thank you’ that our two countries are such good friends, and despite squabbles over the years, like fractious siblings we get along much more often than we quarrel. We may not always think alike, our paths may diverge, but there will always be a powerful bond of affection, I hope, and that lingering preference one has for family over all others.
That, at least, is one Canadian’s perspective. But still, I admit to being curious… do Americans ever notice a difference, say when you’re reading fiction by or about Canadians? We are so immersed in American culture, I don’t think the differences would be readily obvious, but then again, I’m not sure of that. Also, do you ever wonder while reading if the author is American or not? I suppose the same could be asked of readers from other countries; from an external point of view, have you ever noticed anomalies that resulted from a writer being unfamiliar with the country in which the story is set?
Just a random wondering.
Oh, and the title reference for this blog entry? One thing some Canadians are also in tune with is our British roots. (or French roots for those in Quebec and many other parts of Canada; the melding of the two is what makes us unique, though not always cohesive) The title of my blog today is a play on the British farce, No Sex, Please, We’re British.
So, DO you eat turkey on Thanksgiving, or something else, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, maybe? I notice small things in my favorite comic strip, For Better of Worse, which is drawn by a Canadian and set in Canada, but I enjoy them, and I’m such an Anglophile–and have lived in Great Britain (well, why do you think I’m writing books set in England
) I find that a plus. Since I live ‘down south’ a ways, I haven’t visited Canada much, but hope to do so.
) put them in mittens and knit hats–the story took place in the summer!
I wrote a YA once where the girls visited Quebec, which I’ve always wanted to do, and was highly embarrassed when the cover artist (see my entry on covers!
Nicole
Comment by Nicole Byrd — November 21, 2006 @ 6:05 pm
Hi Nicole!
Oh yes, we have turkey for Thanksgiving… most of us anyway!
I adore For Better or Worse too. The artist has such a great way with people… she’s like a novelist in that sense, the careful observation of real people and their relationships.
I think it is hysterical that the artist put the girls on your cover in mittens.
Every Canadian has stories of meeting tourists in August with skis on the top of their car, asking ‘Where’s the snow?’
But I’ll bet southerners get their fair share of odd questions from tourists too!
Comment by Donna — November 22, 2006 @ 9:36 am
Oh, yes. When I lived in Scotland, people wouldn’t believe I could be from the South, as I lacked the ‘dumb redneck’ accent they always heard on tv, sigh. (I admit, tho born in Tenn, I grew up all over as an Army brat.)
Nicole
Comment by Nicole Byrd — November 22, 2006 @ 5:36 pm