I read a thread on this topic, but it wasn't geared toward children's writers or child readers. I'm working on a chapter book set in Louisiana in modern times. It is in first person present tense with a seven year old narrator. I'm using word choice to show language/ dialect in the narration. More than that would become unwieldy for the reader.
Beta readers have suggested I cut final g in many of the words ending in -ing, use s'pposed instead of supposed, etc. in my dialog. I already have missing first words and contractions of is like, "Mama's mad."
So here is the question, considering the age of the reader, How much is too much?
Are kids sophisticated enough to read goin' even if they see going? I know I do that. Would the dropped gs become distracting to the young readers? Would they have the urge to correct things they've recently learned to write?
Thoughts? Thanks.
Beta readers have suggested I cut final g in many of the words ending in -ing, use s'pposed instead of supposed, etc. in my dialog. I already have missing first words and contractions of is like, "Mama's mad."
So here is the question, considering the age of the reader, How much is too much?
Are kids sophisticated enough to read goin' even if they see going? I know I do that. Would the dropped gs become distracting to the young readers? Would they have the urge to correct things they've recently learned to write?
Thoughts? Thanks.