The definition of a "better way" varies from person to person. You could find a different way to say just about anything, but it all comes down to what you, the writer, likes. Sometimes cursing within my narration packs a nice punch and I like the way it sounds. I don't think it's equals laziness, because well written swearing is just as hard to accomplish as well written.. anything.
Good writing is a process of selective depiction. The purpose is to portray a credible illusion of reality. Just as good dialogue omits inconsequential filler, and good description focuses on what the POV observer notices rather than everything in his or her field of vision, portraying obscenity-riddled speech is best done with subtlety. Put in just enough to convey the impression. No one will be impressed by how many F-bombs you can fit into two lines of your character's dialogue. Good dialogue is not transcription. If you have ever read a real transcript, they are as boring as hell, and not very easy to extract the mood or tone from. An impression of reality can paint a clearer picture than literally echoing the speech, word by effing word.
Personally I think that if you can find a way to do it subtly (like the way Shakespeare did with his lewd jokes but never coming out and outright using foul language) then you should because I think it adds to the overall affect of the writing. ~Lynn
I like to think of Quentin Tarantino when it comes to peppering dialog with swear words. Look at Pulp Fiction's screenplay or Jackie Brown. The dialog is compelling while at the same time littered with F-bombs. But it isn't every other word in every line, it is sprinkled on the dialog naturally where the character would put those swears. If it fits, it fits. If it seems to be going overboard, then it is probably too much. It all depends on the character's personality, situation, and vocabulary. In some instances the swears aren't even noticeable in the dialog when it seems so natural.
I am sure this has been a topic talked about quite a bit, but this is more specific. I am writing a YA book/Adult book... hard to explain, but my target age is 14+. The main cast of characters are teens, but I am representing how kids really act these days (to a certain extent). In other words, I want to let my characters swear in non-sexual contexts. Problem is that, as I mentioned, my target crowd is older... older teens, but my book has very complex themes. I want to appeal to adults and older teens, but I am afraid that my book will be censored if I make it far enough to get it published. So my question is if I did have swearing in my book, would schools ban them (highschools)? This is important to me because I want to get that young crowd because most of my material is YA. Thanks, Kingzilla
This is a hard one to judge really, as you can never judge for certain how others -- especially institutions -- will react to your writing. With swearing, the key is almost always not to overdo it. What has effect once can quickly lose that effect if used too commonly. I think what you need to do is just write it, as your instincts tell you to, and then take a look at it in editing. I wouldn't have a blanket policy against, but from both age-appropriateness and good writing perspectives it's best to air on the conservative side with swearing.
You could always have the characters swear without quoting them. For example, if something is frustrating me, then rather than describing what I said, you could just say "Kamm cursed softly" or something similar. If it's integral to dialogue (i.e. used mid-sentence), then I'd err on the side of caution.
Be careful with that though, depending on how it's done it can come across really...tackily. For example, I remember a bit in one of the Harry Potter books to the effect of: Ron said a word which made Hermione shout out angrily "Ron!" Which is just...eh...
True. Like all tricks, when it works, it works. When it doesn't...well, you get Hermione and Ron, I guess.
I've seen YA books with swearing: I think SPUD by John van de Ruit had swearing and it's not been banned from libraries haha. Also, my YA book which is aimed at 16+ has swearing in certain scenes. I mean, it only makes sense. Us teenagers swear, don't we? Just don't overuse do it, in my opinion.
I agree that if it's used in dialogue sparingly, it makes it more real. Teenagers swear. And if your book gets banned then that usually makes you sell a buttload of copies and get wildly popular.
Well, since reading is supposed to be a good way to learn what you should do, I see plenty of swearing in mainstream fiction. My personal philosophy is to use it sparingly or else it becomes meaningless, and you want your dialogue to have meaning. So if you must use it, make it have effect.
I had a similar dilemma myself when writing my first book. I personally found it hard to write the swear words, especially thinking about family who may end up reading the book. I am also aiming for older teen and adult readers. My motivation for writing this story, was to try and get people talking about abuse. Given the subject matter, I felt that it would be unrealistic for the perpetrators to use wholesome language. I reasoned in the end that I was writing about something which is distasteful and hard to sanitise. I did try to use it sparingly but I still get a funny feeling when I know somebody who won't appreciate the swearing, has downloaded the book.:redface:
You are worried that your book will be censored if it includes too much swearing? So many things wrong with this it's hard to know where to begin. Who's to say your book will even get published, that schools will carry it, that it will even be important enough to censor in the first place? Swearing, even excessively, is so minor anymore that it's actually funny to think a book would be censored for that alone. It's not 1950 anymore. I can guarantee if you are worried about such minor things, enough to let other opinions sway you, you're probably not going to write a book that is danger of being censored. If anything, you should worry about it being too milquetoast.
Maybe not, but there are plenty of people in the U.S. who are trying to get us back there. Censoring certainly is an issue, especially with respect to the YA market. That said, however, your point is valid. Writers should first focus on getting out their story, as authentically as they can. Worry later on about marketing and economic ramifications. If the book makes it to the point that a publisher thinks it can sell, the swearing can be adjusted. The use of certain words is always going to be an issue -- there are always going to be people who are offended by them no matter what genre you write. Not everyone is your target reader, so you really have to do what you feel is right for your story and your characters.
If I have my characters swear, I often use it sparingly, especially the vulgar words like the F-word. The worst swear word I'd allow most of my characters to utter is "shit". That's a personal decision on my part, though. It would also have to depend on who that character is. To use the Harry Potter example, I wouldn't be too stunned if Ron were to utter, "Shit! Goddamn it! Goddamn it!" because it would fit with who he is. But if Harry did it? I might be a bit taken aback, as it wouldn't be like him to use foul language.
There is definitely a cultural aspect to this topic. In the UK swearing, if not exactly socially acceptable, then it is very commonplace. Teens are often the biggest 'sweary marys' as they are trying out their adult identity, generally overdoing it and trying to impress their peers. Writing set in modern day Britain without swearing in the dialogue would not quite ring true for me. You can be very creative and dare I say even poetic with swearing though I wouldn't suggest going for Malcolm Tucker-esque proportions just enough to be 'real'.
Please excuse my language in this but think of it this way. If you're going write a YA novel with teens. They will swear sometimes. there are some who curse all the time and some who don't. You may write a jock who's 'catch phrase" is "I don't give a fuck what anyone says, I do what I want" or he he has anger issues and storms off he'll probably exlaim 'sh**' or "f**k" on his way out. If its casual conversation, swearing is tacky in most cases and should only be eppered in lightly so a "hey jim, how the hell are ya" may be out of place, while a "Hey Jim! Where the hell have you been? I've been looking for you!" might work... aptly I've done enough cursing for a week lol
If the character is intended to swear, then they should swear. I listen to my characters rather then my own sense of self-censorship.
It's hard for anyone to answer how much is too much without reading all of your story, so you're the best qualified. You know your characters best and I agree with everyone who says it's fine in moderation. It all depends on context too, the person's background and what's happening at the time to make them swear. A warrior who's just been injured is not very likely to mutter "Oh, flibbertigibbet!" if he's genuinely in pain. I know the last thing on my mind when I stub my toe is not swearing :/
I agree with those who have said that it's all about making the character realistic. You shouldn't be so concerned with the endgame right now. Write the book how you feel it is SUPPOSED to be written, then worry about the cursing if and when it comes up.
