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RE: SILVER LINING #1
I'm not sure if you already know, but English isn't my first language. Heck, I barely use it while speaking :) I just have such a huge respect at how it was constructed. All its quirks and structures really fascinate me. I just paid very close attention to following its rules when I began using it, until it just became second nature. I can't speak for @ezzy, even though I know he puts his heart and soul in his writing, but for me, personally, I inject every fiber of my being to every word I write. That's why I don't think I can be a full-time writer, because I would just lose myself. Maybe that's why I don't write as often as I could. A part of my soul is wedged in every chapter, and I'm glad that you've noticed that :D
Um, no, I definitely did not know English wasn't your first language. Wow. That is a level of impressive I can't begin to describe. You write it so naturally!! I couldn't even begin to guess what your first language is. Usually I can tell if it's not someone's native tongue, even if they're extremely fluent, there are a lot of give-aways, small tells. Not with you. Incredible. Especially that you 'barely use it while speaking' ?? My uncle is from Germany but he's lived here since he was thirty and is now seventy-five. He only speaks English for the most part, other than when he's on the phone with some of his German relatives and maybe I wouldn't be able to tell it wasn't his native tongue if I read what he wrote. He still has a fairly strong accent and difficulty pronouncing certain letters after forty-five years!!
There is basically zero focus on foreign language in the public fool system here. (Just one of its many, many flaws) The classes they did offer were a joke, you might have come out of it knowing how to say colors and numbers in Spanish or French, but that's about it.
Thank you :D Maybe because I'm just so fascinated with languages (Linguistics was my second choice to Engineering) that learning other languages came easily. I'm almost always confused as an American when I write, which may have been detrimental at times (?) I mean, not as a slight to anyone, but it took away that "wow" factor that is elicited by the realization that I don't speak English at all on a daily basis. The confusion ends when people hear the way I speak, my native tongue rears its head that way, hence why speaking is never my strong suit haha! :D
You haven't just mastered English, you've mastered American English, seriously that's amazing, the rules of this language are ridiculous, with all of the exceptions. I once thought people just started making up words and assigned them to things and that's how it came about. Now I know that there were reasons, though none they ever intended to share with the 'commoners'. My husband's study of law is what led to a number of realizations. I don't know if it's the case in other countries, but the 'common' tongue here is truly a private joke for the elite, and the reason our courts seem to make no sense. Law books have definitions for words that are entirely different than what were taught. But that's a discussion for another time, I must attempt to sleep now :)
Really though, I just try to adapt to the 'common tongue' wherever I converse. Like a chameleon blending in to the background. It surely has its disadvantages, but it's fun looking at things where I stand. I wouldn't say I've "mastered" anything, I'm just an advanced beginner :D Have a good night's rest, my friend!