I've got a problem. In my story, sometimes the narrator can be a bit crass if not plain bigoted at times. What is the proverbial "line" in this day and age on writing narration/dialogue that could possibly upset readers? You know, things like racial epithets, gay bashing, sexism, and the like. I want to be realistic, but I'm worried because it seems like everyone is so easily triggered these days.
one of my MCs called his friend a "fag" because his dad would verbally abuse him and call him that. I was worried about using the word in my writing because I would never use that word in real life. The consensus from WF was to not sugar coat it. The word is used. its realistic and it makes sense within the context of what i was writing. in the case of just throwing the word around willy-nilly without context or with out character trait/flaw or story arch, then I would personally advise against it. I know some people (not personally) who get peeved and triggered when they read racial epithets in works of fiction, but it doesnt bother me because I dont take it personally. i know the author isnt attacking me and i know that it is important for the character in the book (for example, reading My Sister The Serial Killer, there is colorism in it. The darker sister being the ugly one and the lighter skinned one being the prettiest and most desired and the one that could do no wrong because to be closest to white is to be close to godliness....even though *spoiler alert* she's a serial killer. This colorism wasnt just thrown in there because the author felt like it and believed it... it served as a key plot point)
Write whatever you want, as long you're not writing to offend the reader. As long as your characters are being crass in character and aren't being touted as heroes, you'll be fine. If you were writing a story about a KKK member in the US who lynches blacks, and that character is the MC and "wins" because of his racism, you're going to offend a lot of people. On the other hand, if the same character comes to a realisation that his actions are wrong, and eventually fights against racism, the same characterisation in the first part of the story becomes acceptable. Compare To Kill a Mockingbird a Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee - the two novels have very different characterisations of Atticus Finch, and the second novel (which was actually a first draft of Mockingbird) has attracted some controversy. I used racial epithets in this story: https://www.writingforums.org/threads/walk-a-mile-1-900-profanity.163489/ Because I wanted the MC to be a thoroughly unpleasant character who gets his comeuppance in the end. I don't think readers would be offended.
I really don't see the issue of crossing this proverbial line, especially in literature. Game of Thrones has only just finished and is one of the most successful pieces of media of all time despite including plenty of murder, rape and incest and has bookfuls of unsavoury characters. I think the challenge is going to be getting people invested as the narrator sounds like an absolutely awful person. At the end of the day, it's your story and your characters. There shouldn't be an issue unless you're setting out to deliberately upset readers.
No, the narrator is a good person, she's just has a habit of making an occasional off color remark sometimes. We've all known someone like that.
As long as it's coming from the character and not the author, you should be fine. Have it, but don't condone it or make excuses for it.
Fair enough. I thought the mention of racial epithets, gay bashing, sexism, and the like, meant the narrator would be making them.
I think you're right: it's a very tricky question. To paraphrase someone, you can't please everyone all the time. Whatever you do someone is going to get upset, but you have to realize that really they were looking for an opportunity to do so. Secondly, you have highlighted "in this day and age". If your writing has something to do with any of the "movements" in vogue now (I wrote "fads" but changed it to "movements"!) you will inevitably cross someone's invisible red line. And even if you don't .... In sum, don't worry, you can't win. For you mental health, and for the quality of your work, the rule is: don't do things gratuitously. Write what you want to say as simply and strightforwardly as possible. If your story really requires your character to kill a kitten, have him do it. If the lass is a bit silly, let her be so. If the villain is a muslim, and that is essential to your story, say so. If the character is necessarily sexist or racist or homophobic, let the language show in the dialogues not in your description.
Your characters are not you. There's nothing wrong with characters being flawed, even the ones that we cheer for. In fact, it's desirable. If all your characters either act as perfectly as a Mary Sue or are irredeemable villains, then I think you'll miss some of the interesting shades of grey in between.
The line in question references one character telling another that they are going to San Francisco, to which the other replies "What's there besides a bunch of fags?" It's a one time deal that never appears again. Seeing how many of the classics like To Kill A Mockingbird and Huck Finn have been banned in various places because of certain words, I didn't know if that kind of language was a no-no in literature anymore.
Banning To Kill a Mockingbird says m,ore about the authorities in the jurisdiction rather than the readers.
The number of people who get offended while missing the entire point of the story, are actually relatively small. Most people will understand the context in which you're using it and more importantly, why. Yes, that small number can be a pain. They have gotten books cancelled before. But know that a majority of people are rational. Understand context and that small number of people who make things difficult, are losing their control and credibility.
There is no offense meant by this, just an observation, but when I was just a part of British writing forums this type of question never came up. I honestly think American's can worry about being PC too much. They seem to worry a lot about offending people when their is a sea of people out there looking to take offence at things. I've noticed Americans are quite sensitive and while it's nice that they care about the feelings of others it can hinder them in being honest. I think, as long as it's within context, it's fine. So if your character is homophobic using derogatory names for them is natural. Same with racism and sexism. It's odd having a character that dislike a group but uses "nice" terms for them and never says anything crass. As long as you make it clear it's not your opinion, allow people to get offended if they want to. It wont kill them. And it's the truth. To this day gays, women, black people, can still be met with disdain. It's good your highlighting it. Maybe try to show the affects of such attitudes. Being controversial isn't always bad. Personally I have no problem with that stuff because it's a reality. What I don't like is half arsed attempts at it where it's obvious the writer threaded gently so not to offend when they deliberately wrote an offensive character trait. The characters need to back up the image created by the writer. I beta read for someone last week, whose main character was meant to be sexist, yet there was not one sexist remark or action from that character because he (the writer) was afraid of upsetting women. If you're going to go for it, then go for it without shame.
You are exactly right. While I'm not for just wantonly offending people, America has gone off it's rocker on the PC train. It's gotten to the point where some people are calling Halloween pumpkins "racist", and ome wrong comment, even in a work of fiction, could get you fired from your job.
Discussions of how far PC has or should go belong in the Debate Room, let's keep this to the OP's question. どうもありがとう
I think when it makes sense for the character to be non-PC and makes sense to the plot, criticisms against them can only be from shallow wankers who didn't bother to read the book or needs to be spoonfed.
Here's the thing - people do use those words. How realistic do you want to make your writing and characterisations? Sometimes, it's appropriate to use them in your writing. Does anyone remember the TV show Quantum Leap? One of the best shows ever made. In some episodes depicting racism and racists, they use racial epithets. Without them, the storytelling would have been much less powerful, and substituting them for other words would just sound silly.
Only one thing to add to the above - you say it’s your narrator who will be using offensive language. To me, that seems like a tricky line to walk. Sure, if it’s in character and it reflects real life, no problem. But when your narrator is the one being offensive, it could be difficult for the reader to separate the character from the author, inviting backlash. You’d want to find some clear ways to show self-awareness in the story - as someone else suggested, character development over time, or perhaps how other characters react to the offensive/thoughtless side of your narrator.
If the character says things like that, then what does it say about them as a character? If we are worried about the consequences to the author for writing these words, then what are the consequences to the character for saying them? What happens when the character is put in a circumstance that calls their beliefs into question? Be true to your characters, but show the other side. Show the consequences to their actions. The messes they make for themselves. Maybe they will grow and maybe they won't.
Worrying about appealing to a PC crowd. Art ain't supposed to be safe. That which is acceptable to all will be adored by none. Kind of like Ron Howard movies.
