Use of bad language in dialogue

[Inspired writer]

I'm writing a short story set in a council estate. Would you say it's acceptable to use swearing in order to make it realistic? Or do you feel readers wouldn't appreciate it? If not, then what ways would you suggest in getting around it?

[art]

Your readers will probably appreciate authenticity rather more than contrived methods to avoid it. Swear.

[The Tourist]

You mean the really bad words, like 'liberal' or 'socialist'?

Heck, I wouldn't stand for that effing language in any story I read...

[Allan Paas]

I have read a few stories (don't remember the titles) where swearing was edited out (I say edited because the dialogue just did not feel right without those particular words in it), or some new and not swearing-sounding words had been made up. It is so... wrong, It irritates me a lot.

Swearing is a part of everyday life, more or less. It is natural. Some people avoid using and dislike it entirely but you cannot make your work suffer because you think someone might not like it, keep it as realistic as you can. Cutting out bad language lowers the quality of the story.

If your character's personality and the situation allows and even demands the use of bad language then that is what you should do.

[The Tourist]

I have read a few stories (don't remember the titles) where swearing was edited out

Yes, and there was a big story several months ago about the editing done to Huckleberry Finn. Sometimes the politically correct police overreach. One entire segment of the book deals with Huck adjusting his opinion on racism.

[Pea]

Come on. Are you 12? How can this even be a question?

Yes, it's acceptable.

[James Berkley]

Yes, and there was a big story several months ago about the editing done to Huckleberry Finn. Sometimes the politically correct police overreach. One entire segment of the book deals with Huck adjusting his opinion on racism.

does the book have a point if you censor it? its like censoring Fahrenheit 451

[minstrel]

Of course it's acceptable. It's the way people talk.

Of course, decades ago, you couldn't publish a book like that. Hemingway had a fight with his publisher over For Whom The Bell Tolls, because he wanted his characters to be able to swear. The publishers objected, so now Hemingway's characters say things like "I obscenity in the milk of thy mother," which is pretty cool and funny on its own, but is definitely NOT what Hemingway wanted to write.

[Nakhti]

If swearing is appropriate to your characters, then absolutely. Obviously you can't put swearing in a children's book, and even in YA some words will probably have to be toned down, but if you're writing for an adult readership there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't use bad language.

[Cogito]

Swearing is a choice. Your market may have some restrictions.

In any case, if you choose to use gutter language, always use less than you think is "authentic". You will have the illusion of authenticity with a light touch. More than that will seem thicker than it is, even to the point of appearing comedic.

Watch the movie Cabin Fever sometime. They drop so many F-bombs they had me and my children doubled over with laughter. It was too fucking much to take seriously.

[NathanialRobb]

I use swearing in almost every story I write. I stick to writing Military Sci-Fi and stories about Utilitarian and Dystopian states, my current story is about a revolution led by a group of teenagers. Swearing is an integral part of language and one that people use a lot. Realism is important in any story and I think using swear words in dialogue where necessary adds realism to the story.

[Trilby]

It depends on what you intend to do with your story when it is finished:

It won't be acceptable to a womans magazine if it has bad language spattered all over it.

[AmyHolt]

Swearing is a choice. Your market may have some restrictions.

In any case, if you choose to use gutter language, always use less than you think is "authentic". You will have the illusion of authenticity with a light touch. More than that will seem thicker than it is, even to the point of appearing comedic.

I agree.

If you swear often it means nothing, sort of like using too many !!!!. Save your foul mouth for when it really matters (if you have to use it at all).
I am of the school of thought that there are far more creative ways to express your displeasure, swearing generally makes you look less educated. Yeah, I know I'll get shot for expressing this anti-swearing opinion so I put on my bullet proof vest.

[mammamaia]

what market is this for?... adults, or YA?...

if the younger end of YA, you may have to tone down the language, but it sure wouldn't be believable if you had tough kids on an estate saying 'heck' and 'darn' and 'so's your old man!' instead of what we all know they'd be saying...

[James Berkley]

What I try to do is have the level and type of swearing correlate to the characters position and personality. One of my most socially elevated characters rarely swears. His body guard swears a little more but when she does she goes full boat. Then I have some grunts and young operators that swear a lot.

[Mark_Archibald]

As long as it is done in an artistic manner than you can get away with pretty much anything.

Look at Cormac McCarthy, some of his books feature graphic scenes involving babies.

When you write a chapter, than go back and change it to make people happy; you are no longer a writer. You are selling yourself for fame and $$$.

[digitig]

what market is this for?... adults, or YA?...

if the younger end of YA, you may have to tone down the language, but it sure wouldn't be believable if you had tough kids on an estate saying 'heck' and 'darn' and 'so's your old man!' instead of what we all know they'd be saying...

Agreed. If I recall correctly Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time had one instance of "fuck", and it hit harder for being the sole use, but that was aimed at the older end of YA. But publishers can be wary that swearing limits the market; I understand that in the US edition of one of Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide books the award for "the most gratuitous use of the word 'fuck' in an otherwise serious screenplay" was censored to "the most gratuitous use of the word 'Belgium' in an otherwise serious screenplay", and that was a book aimed at the adult demographic. So definitely check out the market for what you are writing. There are ways around it; rather than using "heck" or "darn" just report the fact that "he swore violently". But if your market will allow it, do it.

[MeganHeld]

If the character is a type of person that would swear a little or a lot include swearing. To me swearing is not a bad thing. People do it in real life so why not make some of your characters do that too?

[Lasers123]

Swearing should be allowed in dialogue. Just keep it to a minimum, and not too explicit. Your audience is going to then be over 18, so its fine. There wont be many kids who read adult books - they wouldn't understand them. Swearing is a form of expressing feelings most of the time, especially in books.

[Inspired writer]

Thank you all for the input. It's highly appreciated. I've been torn with this issue for what feels like weeks. It's become quite the burden. Since part of the story is based on a council estate, I thought maybe I'd have to include some foul language for authenticity but through personal choice I'm not too happy about it. I'll see what happens as the story progresses. Hopefully I can dodge if possible.