American English?

[cornishcrusader]

I am writing a novel. It is in the third person but told from the perspective of three different people. One of those people is American. When I write from his point of view, any of his dialogue I write in American English (well I hope I do). But my question is the non dialogue parts from the American perspective. Should I use American phrases and spelling in these parts - or not? Thanks for any advice.

Not

I think that would jar with the rest of the narrative. But up to you to see what feels right.

Yes you should

Be careful. If you want to use the ideas and styles of another culture you need to know them well. You say you hope you are making your American sound American, which suggests you are not entirely at home here. I'd stick to the character for the Americanism but avoid them in the narrative.

I think you should have a consistent narrative style throughout the book, regardless of that character's differences in speech. If you sell the book to an American market an editor will go through and Americanise everything with you anyway.