Hm. Well, so recently I was given the (great) advice to remove the more offensive swear words from my Poppy novels. Apparently, this will broaden my audience potential. Sure, I’m up for that. An occasional F-bomb from Poppy isn’t exactly necessary. (And so I have, removed them that is.) But the entire conversation made me wonder: why are these words so offensive that someone would refuse to read a story that contains one? Especially when readers know the story contains violence and criminals? Of course these people use the F-word.
This harkens back to my post of July 16 where I spoke about violence in this country. Is that it? Are we so conditioned to the violence that we don’t mind it, but swearing is still somehow taboo? Crushing someone’s skull is blasé, pass the ketchup please, but don’t utter a four-letter word?
As a writer, one who strives for realism, it feels to me that avoiding these words makes for fake dialogue. It feels like I’m sugar-coating the real issues, like I’m making some fairytale version of the truth.
What do you think?
I think if you want fairytales read Cinderella. If you want to read about real life, realize there is honesty, sex, violence, cursing, love, and great acts of kindness in everyday life. If you don’t see or hear about these things, you are probably living under a rock.
When Poppy says something with a little passion behind it or an explicit word, it doesn’t make her a bad person. It makes her REAL!
Thanks April. You’d agree, I assume, that it is an interesting response?
I enjoyed the first Poppy book however, I do not use foul speech nor do I like to read that type of language. I think you could have used other words to convey your point without f-bombs. I would have let my thirteen year old daughter read the book had the language not been so offensive.
This is an excellent point, Cindy. The expanded audience being younger as well.
I hope I was clear, I HAVE removed the more offensive words.
I’ve been known to use the odd four-letter word. I was raised not to use that kind of language, but sometimes it slips. What I do is I try to be careful how I talk depending on the kind of social situation I am in.
As far as reading those kinds of words in books, for me, it depends on the context they were used in. If the character – whether because of personality, background, upbringing, or a combination thereof – wouldn’t use that kind of language, then it is inappropriate. If a character is in either a profession that due to, let’s say, its culture or stressors is prone to using that kind of language or if that character is a certain type of villain, then I would consider it unrealistic if he or she didn’t use profanity. (Historical/class setting could also prove to have an impact.)
I can respect a person’s opinion that they wouldn’t want to read that kind of language in their reading material. And, yes, taking it out would certainly broaden the appeal, but, leading back to the previous paragraph, how realistic would it be?
I think it all depends on the level of violence/profanity that a reader is comfortable with. As an example, if material I am reading (or watching for that matter) has senseless violence or gore, I will stop reading/watching and not re-visit that author/director. Same thing if every other word is an F-bomb or variation. If violence is necessary to move a story along, for me, it depends on when/how it is used. (Same with profanity.)
Thanks Yvonne. I agree. It has been an interesting topic, for sure.
I’m a middle of the roader. If foul language is appropriate for a character or for the situation (extreme stress, danger, or anger) then I have no issue with it. Gratuitous bad language or shock value bad language I can do without.
But as the brilliant George Carlin said, “There are no bad WORDS, only bad thoughts.” We arbitrarily designate words as bad or good, rather than the thoughts that brought about the words in the first place.
I love characters who are creative cursers and don’t use the routine swear words.
I find the use of the F-bomb offensive whether in real life hearing it or reading it. I CAN sort of “skip over” that word when reading a book if it isn’t used too often. This seems to be something my brain does to weed out what offends me. I don’t like “over the top” violent movies or books either. I did enjoy Poppy and the situations she got into.
Now I’m wondering, as the writer, don’t I WANT to have the foul characters use foul language so you won’t like them?