Story-writing problems...can some writer's help?

Question

First of all I'm writing a story that takes place in Ireland. The problem is, I have never been to Ireland before. I am from the US, but I have Irish heritage, and I am very interested in IE. I have done LOTS of research on Irish slang and terminology, and have incorporated it carefully into my writing. But, the question is, do I really have a right to write something that involves real irish characters if I have never actually been to that country? I guess if the answer is no...I should start planning a trip! Any ideas or suggestions would help, and please no insults.... :P

Answer 1

Of course you have a right to set your story in Ireland! It would just be easier to go and visit the country prior to writing.
It does help to visit the place you're writing about though, as you can capture the minutiae and the details you and your characters would potentially have an eye for.
Ex. I have a scene in a short story I’m working on that’s set in an undeveloped part of my town. I had never been there but my assumptions about this place made it what I thought would be a perfect setting. I tried to capture the mood of the area but until I actually drove there and walked the place- saw it for what it was- then I was able to do it justice on the printed page.
However, you are the writer so you can invoke some level of creative license when detailing the land, the people and the dialect- it is your story after all.
Remember that your setting is almost like a character in the narration itself. And if you can’t actually visit Ireland than keep up on your research to make it as authentic as possible. Good luck!

Answer 2

I wrote a book that took place in Ireland.the trick is the public library and a lot of reasearch (this was in the early 1980s).

Nowadays The internet is fine, do all your homework and ploting --then write the book. The publisher and readership audience will tell you if you got the irish right

after you have it published, then take your trip to Ireland and promote the book

Good Luck

Answer 3

Almost every city in the country has an Irish American club or rugby club and in these clubs are usually true irishman and women who would more than likely want to give you as much information and answers as you could possibly need and all with a smile as only the irish can do.

Answer 4

Yes, you absolutely have the right. But a trip to Ireland would be lovely, too, and what better excuse can you possibly make for it? When you sell the book, write off the trip as research. Congratulations on being one of the very few here I have ever seen who actually used the word "research". I am truly proud of you.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 5

I write about life on other planets ...

Some advice - don't try to write in an Irish accent unless you are very familiar with it. Stick with English but try not to use "Americanisms", ie slang used commonly in the USA.

Answer 6

Maybe you should make some irish friends, or try to go there, cause its hard to pick up dialect that you haven't heard. You could try finding a penpal from over there
the best advice for writing is write about what you know...