tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post2095749042359661297..comments2024-03-20T08:27:29.290+11:00Comments on .W.I.P. It: Yikes and Other Swear WordsLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-5308042425431309282011-04-30T08:06:15.739+10:002011-04-30T08:06:15.739+10:00Golden, I almost expect it in adult books (which i...Golden, I almost expect it in adult books (which is kinda sad), but I don't want to see it in YA books.<br /><br />Ellie, urgh the c-word is right out. If I could purge it from the English language, I would.<br /><br />M Pax, great point about over-use of words.<br /><br />Zan, oh, I didn't realise they used real chinese. Ha.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-58441964710431866272011-04-30T08:02:17.905+10:002011-04-30T08:02:17.905+10:00Karen, yep, I don't mind reading swearing word...Karen, yep, I don't mind reading swearing words (mostly), I just won't write them.<br /><br />Sabryna, yep, it's definitely rife.<br /><br />Carol, I LOVE your dialogue cut-off. It can't be used too often, but I like it.<br /><br />Lee, I love, love, love your point about not needing swear words if the character is written well. Absolutely right. Thank you.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-26306727354402542162011-04-30T07:54:39.292+10:002011-04-30T07:54:39.292+10:00Angela, yep, same.
M J Fifield, yep, because when...Angela, yep, same.<br /><br />M J Fifield, yep, because when a character swears just for the sake of it, it looses it's impact.<br /><br />India, I think in the case of frak, it works because the story is set in a distant world. An author shouldn't make up a swear word if their story is contemporary. Neither should they use the f-word if it's a historical. So, it not only depends on the characters, but the setting as well.<br /><br />Dezzy, hahaha, translating swear words would be an issue.<br /><br />Regina, yep, it's important not to lose the story<br /><br />Stephen, yep I won't use those words too (in particular God's name)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-58448053480487215442011-04-30T07:46:51.664+10:002011-04-30T07:46:51.664+10:00Niki, I looked it up. You are correct. Witchetty g...Niki, I looked it up. You are correct. Witchetty grubs turn into moths. I never knew that lol!<br /><br />Gen, hahahaha I had a giggle over what you said about Mr King. And yes, I use "she swore" a lot too.<br /><br />Sarah, definitely depends on th character.<br /><br />Kar_took, great point about how we change our speech around different people. <br /><br />Bish, haha I love your name for it.<br /><br />Old Kitty, interesting your reaction to the zombie book. We have a lot more tolerance when we like a character.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-72925569606826263432011-04-30T07:31:04.736+10:002011-04-30T07:31:04.736+10:00I posted about this on Wednesday. My mean characte...I posted about this on Wednesday. My mean characters do swear, but I'm finding that my sweet little folks are much more creative with their expressions. I haven't crossed that bridge yet in my SF. I'll just have to get creative. I always loved the Firefly crews' Chinese. I understand that it was really Chinese, but then that culture is <i>very</i> creative with curses. ; )Zan Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166450116524323462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-22237986582932098312011-04-30T07:27:25.066+10:002011-04-30T07:27:25.066+10:00I use some swearing, but I write for adults. I thi...I use some swearing, but I write for adults. I think with restraint, it can be effective. Too much is annoying, but that's true of any word over used. :)M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-81461921803935934832011-04-30T04:03:25.618+10:002011-04-30T04:03:25.618+10:00I dislike swearing in novels (I'll forgive Kin...I dislike swearing in novels (I'll forgive King because he's the master) and I've only used it once in my writing. I recently wrote a 9000 word story for a special anthology coming out soon and given what I put the characters through, I did slip in one F word to make it a little more realistic. Don't get me started on the C word. Horrid.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.elliegarratt.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ellie Garratt</a>Ellie Garratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731071128348213067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-39197449930439109762011-04-30T03:26:22.801+10:002011-04-30T03:26:22.801+10:00I've found that several books--that I otherwis...I've found that several books--that I otherwise would have really liked--were marred by the fact there was so much swearing. There seems to be a lot of it in YA, too, and I often wish I could pick up a book without cringing a few pages in.<br /><br />Most of the time, I either use milder swear words (I'm not that opposed to using the d-word here and there) or I just say "He swore/cursed/snarled/etc."Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-76847818062383705552011-04-30T01:46:04.262+10:002011-04-30T01:46:04.262+10:00This is a topic so close to my heart. I have writt...This is a topic so close to my heart. I have written about this on my blog as well. <br /><br />I think use of profanity shows a lack of creativity and a disrespect for readers. Whether realistic or not, if a character has been well-drawn and the dialog is done well enough, nobody's going to notice the absence of profanity as they would the presence of it.<br /><br />An example I like to cite is when I saw the movie <i>Platoon</i> in the theater I was perturbed by the excessive profanity and later that was all I could remember about the movie. Later I saw an edited version on television and was impressed with the story and acting and liked it much better. The removal of the profanity did not take away the essence of the movie.<br /><br />Love this topic! Can't stand the liberal use of swearing and filthy talk in people's everyday conversation.<br /><br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-70304012596501281142011-04-30T00:40:47.950+10:002011-04-30T00:40:47.950+10:00Clever with the Y word! :) I agree, and just have ...Clever with the Y word! :) I agree, and just have my characters swear offscreen. Like: "She swore, and threw the phone across the room." Also, this may be borderline, but I cut a dialogue line off just BEFORE the swear word, where it's obvious what the missing word will be, but another character interrupts.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-39068936700211079222011-04-30T00:19:54.485+10:002011-04-30T00:19:54.485+10:00I agree with everything you said!! I wish everyon...I agree with everything you said!! I wish everyone would stop swearing! it's so aweful!Sabrynahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17297634069191329463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-25823722077342065482011-04-29T23:38:54.299+10:002011-04-29T23:38:54.299+10:00I nver use F-bombs and I don't use God's n...I nver use F-bombs and I don't use God's name in swearing either. Other than that I do have mild swearing but nothing abusive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-60075106444077117102011-04-29T23:34:25.438+10:002011-04-29T23:34:25.438+10:00I don't mind it as long as it fits the story. ...I don't mind it as long as it fits the story. I don't want super vulgarity to where you lose the story with all the words, but a few are okay.Reginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03493618594406138554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-26145920550431771822011-04-29T23:18:23.447+10:002011-04-29T23:18:23.447+10:00I don't like bad language in books, and I'...I don't like bad language in books, and I've noticed English speaking writers just love using the F word. It gives me problems, too, in my job since my language doesn't use F so much, although we do have our spicy arsenal of swearing.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-57557378526909142602011-04-29T22:59:06.505+10:002011-04-29T22:59:06.505+10:00I use swearing as appropriate to my characters, no...I use swearing as appropriate to my characters, not to *me*. I personally think it's more important to be authentic and to avoid dialogue that feels contrived (like the frak example), but I know not everyone is comfortable with salty language.India Drummondhttp://www.indiadrummond.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-5490660411898442312011-04-29T22:51:30.110+10:002011-04-29T22:51:30.110+10:00I am all for swearing if it's something the ch...I am all for swearing if it's something the character would do. No word is off limits but before I use them, I make sure it's really the right choice. I don't want characters swearing just for the sake of swearing.M.J. Fifieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15626475963328519693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-34181136898544428172011-04-29T22:13:59.751+10:002011-04-29T22:13:59.751+10:00I do use cuss words sometimes, but never f bombs.I...I do use cuss words sometimes, but never f bombs.I cringe just thinking about that word.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399082789777816445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-9589626089563221442011-04-29T21:34:05.387+10:002011-04-29T21:34:05.387+10:00I love made up swear words!!! I think of Dr Elliot...I love made up swear words!!! I think of Dr Elliot in Scrubs - her word was "frick!".<br /><br />I think swearing for the sake of it is very off-putting though. I think its use is more potent when it is used less. Less is more for me works with swear words - esp the f word! <br /><br />I was lucky enough to win a Zombie book - but unfortunately I couldn't get past the first chapter. The woman who was supposed to be the heroine was so unpleasant - her swearing every two words just compounded her unpleasantness. If she were likeable, I would have forgiven her language but not this time.<br /><br />Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-54809397228669480552011-04-29T20:52:22.806+10:002011-04-29T20:52:22.806+10:00Great topic! I call it Casual Conversation Cussing...Great topic! I call it Casual Conversation Cussing, or the three Cs. The occasional expletive when you stub your toe or slam a finger in a door is one thing, but to liberally litter your speech with cuss words is unnecessary at best, shows a lack of intelligence and/or knowledge of the language at worst. <br /><br />That said, it sometimes has it's place. I just don't like to read a book (or watch a movie) where every other word out of a character's mouth is a cuss word. What for?<br /><br />It's sewage and it stinks.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-10311005644268102102011-04-29T20:44:04.927+10:002011-04-29T20:44:04.927+10:00Reading YA novels where the characters didn't ...Reading YA novels where the characters didn't swear like me and my friends never put me off. I'd never not read a book because there wasn't swearing in it, but I'd also never not read a book because there was.<br /><br />They are only words and its all about context. In many cases words which aren't swear words can be more damaging and hurtful than words we consider taboo. I would rather be sworn at than called vain or arrogant or ignorant or patronising or uncaring. <br /><br />I am not shocked by swear words, and never have been. I use them in certain contexts - with my friends and partner. We all change the way we speak around different people, and I like to think that by knowing this and applying it to my characters, my writing will be stronger.<br /><br />What ever stance you take on strong language in your writing, as long as you stick to what you feel is right, I think you'll make the right choice. I do think that inventing swear words in another language is a wee bit hypocritical if you disagree with having swearing in your writing. I'm all for making up words though :Dkar_tookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15256993702885548804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-40298811425152868442011-04-29T20:34:43.163+10:002011-04-29T20:34:43.163+10:00I think it depends upon the character. I write cha...I think it depends upon the character. I write characters who swear and those who don't. For those who do, it just depends on the situation. If I get to one where it feels tortured to say anything else, I'll use the word I think it's most likely that particular character would say. But I think writers find lots of ways to handle this, and there's no right way!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636585111057799728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-456738544605502262011-04-29T19:02:56.403+10:002011-04-29T19:02:56.403+10:00a lot of YA writers get around it by just writing ...a lot of YA writers get around it by just writing that they swore.<br /><br />"She swore so vehemently that it made her sister blush." <br /><br />You don't have to use the words if you don't want to. I don't write YA so I don't stress about it. I do prefer a sense of realism in my stories but I don't litter them with cussing either.<br /><br />Also I think S. King might be a bad example. I don't see him ever writing YA, lol! (*whispers* and he's crazy...)J. Summersethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209097319080508741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-55412730045598630272011-04-29T17:58:01.264+10:002011-04-29T17:58:01.264+10:00Isn't your grub a moth? Ours turns into the hu...Isn't your grub a moth? Ours turns into the huhu beetle. gross thing it is too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-90748089216612145292011-04-29T16:38:08.922+10:002011-04-29T16:38:08.922+10:00Jeigh, yep, I use that ploy as well. It's tell...Jeigh, yep, I use that ploy as well. It's telling, but I feel we can get away with it anyway.<br /><br />Lindsay, fantastic link. I bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks. I like colourful substitutes.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-80077398017050197882011-04-29T16:33:39.813+10:002011-04-29T16:33:39.813+10:00Joyce, unfortunately that's so true.
Niki, pe...Joyce, unfortunately that's so true.<br /><br />Niki, people are desensitised because they hear it so often.<br /><br />Susan, I agree, when a book is littered with expletives it can become difficult to read.<br /><br />Duncan, if it's the most appropriate word to utter, if it's true to the character, if it doesn't become a flag of itself, then it's probably the right word to use. It's an issue that isn't always as simple as black and white.<br /><br />Josh, that's good then :)<br /><br />Paul, Yeah I went to a private Christian school as well and then got thrown into a group of people who swore like troopers. (I think it was on a camp or something). They all asked me why I didn't swear LOL. I thought that was oddly amusing.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.com