Hi, everyone! Today I write here because I've got an dilemma with respect which English I should use for writing my novels – a seven-book nonsense series. Probably are you asking what I mean with respect ‘which English I should use for writing my novels’ and the thing is I can't decide if write my novels in Modern English or in Elizabethan English (Early Modern English). Why? It's for two reason: Firstly, my story is related with Elizabeth I; secondly, it just becuase is a nonsense story so I think that would be good for nonsense effect. So I want to know what are you thinking about and your opinion or if you've got some piece of advice.
Thanks everyone for your opinions, I really appreciate them! Especially Lorraine Swoboda and Jimmy Hollis I Dickson – you were very honest. Well, you're right, I suppose. I think I'll improve my Modern English first and then practice my Early Modern English. Yet, I like to know where do I made mistakes in my question? Don't get me wrong – it just is for improve my English and don't do them again.
Be very careful about deciding to use Elizabethan English. Many writers have tried it and fallen flat on their faces. Speaking personally, it really bothers me to read a botched attempt at it. So many people can't even handle the use of "thou, thee, thine". I've read a young people's book by an established historical-novel writer, where she had a Quaker saying "Thee are right," (she ALWAYS used "thee" for the subject of a verb) and using "thee" for the plural. (Even back then, it was "you".)
On the other hand, you write: "it just because is a nonsense story so I think that would be good for nonsense effect". If you're going for a nonsense effect, you should make it OBVIOUS that you're going for laughs, Even here, you should know the rules, so that you know how to break them to effect. Here's the start of a poem that I wrote in secondary school:
Thou art wondrous, thou art groovy,
Wouldst thou like, perchance, a movie?
Wouldst thou honour me by going
With me to the latest showing?
[That word "groovy" dates that poem itself as "ancient English".]
But, Jeferson, as Lorraine Swoboda points out, English isn't your first language. That's clear from the mistakes you made in composing your question. If I were you, I'd work on improving my modern English before I made the great leap into historical forms. Or make sure that you have a very good proofreader to correct your mistakes.
Jeferson, English isn't your first language. You would be setting yourself a huge challenge if you were to try to write the whole in Elizabethan English - it would be hard for anyone, no matter how much Shakespeare and Spenser we had read.
Write the whole in modern English, just to get the story down on paper. Then see how much (if any) you want to render in Early Modern English.