tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post5398757342696418647..comments2021-03-05T21:50:47.388-05:00Comments on How To Write Fantasy: Swearing in YA FictionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09953576423545296734noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post-41178396204857559292014-01-31T04:40:12.778-05:002014-01-31T04:40:12.778-05:00Good thoughts. :) Swearing in Fiction is something...Good thoughts. :) Swearing in Fiction is something that I've been thinking about for awhile, and I can see both sides of the argument, I guess…<br />Currently I'm reading a book where one character starts tossing out swearwords while working in the garden. It was totally unnecessary. Morality aside--swearwords turn off a lot of readers. It just narrows your audience. It serves no purpose, except to set the book apart as an 'adult book.'<br />However, I do think that sometimes swearing adds a bit of realism to a book. For instance, if the book is about a hardcore Mafia boss, he's gonna curse. It wouldn't really be believable otherwise. Swearing also adds a tone to the dialogue and makes it much easier to write. Buuuuuut… there are ways to do that without descending into four-letter-words.<br />I try to avoid curses or find family friendly alternatives that still get the point across, but I understand why some people use them. So while swearing doesn't bother me, I don't think I'll write much of it. Just because I'll have to read that word over and over during the writing process, and I don't want to fall into that habit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12374770378346859419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post-73944487968317795842014-01-29T17:51:17.386-05:002014-01-29T17:51:17.386-05:00Glad to spur some new thought for you. :)
Thanks f...Glad to spur some new thought for you. :)<br />Thanks for reading.<br /><br />- RobertAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953576423545296734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post-50287599603936799272014-01-29T17:48:30.594-05:002014-01-29T17:48:30.594-05:00NightBlade - Of course. :) Not all alternatives ...NightBlade - Of course. :) Not all alternatives are bad. It's all in the meaning behind it. Minced oaths can be a tricky business sometimes.<br />On the second point, I agree with you. I do. I'm not going to debate you, seeing as I do use it still is most cases. :P<br />And I respect your opinions as well. Always good to hear from the other side of things.<br /><br />- RAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953576423545296734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post-252985201393022252014-01-29T17:14:44.569-05:002014-01-29T17:14:44.569-05:00I tend to agree with NightBlade.
I see what you&...I tend to agree with NightBlade. <br /><br />I see what you're trying to say, Aror, but I still use 'he swore/cursed'. Though, I do respect your opinion.Goodhuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03052009615653355796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post-86638161892456183472014-01-29T16:10:19.062-05:002014-01-29T16:10:19.062-05:00Interesting thoughts.
I agree to some degree that ...Interesting thoughts.<br />I agree to some degree that replacing a swear word with a euphemism is tricky business. But I believe that each person has to decide "what euphemism is okay?" If you believe that all euphemisms are bad, then you couldn't even say "Oh, rats" because that could technically be traced back to a vulgar word. I personally believe that "drat" and "darn" are okay. Of course I understand what they replace, but they are generally considered "soft euphemisms" for the same reason swear words are considered vulgar...it's a society thing.<br />As for your second point, well, I understand and respect your opinion. But I don't know any gentler way to convey the character's impolite verbiage. The thing is, the character swore no matter how we choose (or if we choose) to tell the reader. It's kind of difficult to use phrases like "he impolitely expressed his extreme displeasure" all the time.<br />Regardless of my opinions, I respect yours and commend your explanation of them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04909634421959901489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801346713794897249.post-79521821757426952392014-01-29T16:00:06.567-05:002014-01-29T16:00:06.567-05:00Interesting.
I've never thought about it this...Interesting.<br /><br />I've never thought about it this way. <br />I, for one, don't put swear words or 'he swore' in my books anymore. I agree with you.<br /><br />-Jason L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com