Some writers believe that to have a truly realistic story, your characters have to use as high a concentration as possible of profanity. Every other word, it sometimes seems. I've read books that I've just put back on the shelf because I can't stand it. IMHO, you don't need all that. I made a conscious decision when I started An Ordinary Fairy that the profanity would be limited, and no one would say "f---". When I finished the last draft, after the proofreaders had completed their work, I made a last cleansing pass through the manuscript and removed over half the remaining profanity.
I'm sure people think I cleaned up too much. Surely Chester Jones, the bad guy in AOF, would have said f--- at some point. Not in my book. I believe if your story is good enough and you make your character's actions believeable enough, there will be no issue. I have, in fact, recieved compliments for making such a non-shock story with very believable characters.
I admit, I have to chuckle at that, considering one of my characters has wings and can fly.
Don't tell Willow I said that!
3 comments:
I like that you omitted words like the "f-word." I hear that all day long at college out of all places. It seems to me it is every second word most people utter.
To me, it is something ugly and negative, almost an expression of helplessness - can't people work with their frustrations in a more constructive way? I'm like you - if it shows up too often, I lose interest in the book or movie, even though it might be a good story.
I think it is wonderful that you didn't think it was necessary to use the "f-word" in your story. I hear it at college all day long. It seems it is every second word most people use - such a turn-off to me. It seems so much a sign of frustration and anger - it feels so ugly and almost signifies helplessness to me. I have the same reaction to books and movies where it gets used much - it makes me lose interest in the story - even though the story might be worth reading.
I totally agree with Karin on not using the "f-word". I am sick of hearing it and reading it. It's as if they can't say anything intelligent
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