Good heavens, did I say such a stupid thing as "earn the right", I hope not, but I do sometimes get carried away and make ill-advised statements.
Writing in a second language can be fun and sometimes elucidating, but I see (in my business) many examples of SL writers who are good but not excellent. What I hope I said, or implied, is this:
If one cannot write well in one's own language, trying to do it in a second language entails struggling against even greater odds. I'm pretty sure that was the point I was trying to make, I've tried to make it so many times.
Learn to write well in your own language first, before you (you = anyone)try it in a second language. OK, let me qualify that further. Anyone can try of course, I am not the writing police. I'm just giving unasked for advice.
I can almost always spot when someone is writing in English as a second language, though I don't always say so. People who do this invariably write FV, because they think they can get away with it there. And often it is no worse than bad free verse written by a native speaker.
There are exceptions Beckett, Conrad. Maybe someone will want to talk about them in this thread.
Big difference though, between charming conversation and writing literary works.
Translating is great practice, and I hope, Jill, that you will try your hand at that. We have a wonderful translation forum, Marion and the people who post there are supportive, knowledgeable, and friendly as all get-out.
PS. Now I have looked at the thread I think you are referring to, and "Whew" I can't see that I have said "earn the right". What a relief.
This is an interesting topic, Jjill, and I hope it will draw some attention.
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