Bad Language In Books...

[Isabella]

In books like John Green he does it ALL the time. It kinda makes me uncomfy

[Victoria]

The author could also say: "He swore under his breath." or "I heard him curse loudly from across the hall." to limit the use of specific words. It doesn't particularily have to be spelled out. Up to a point I don't mind. If I read a book and cursind and swearing is bringing the character more into life and is totally in their character than go for it.

[Divya]

I think I told this before but I will tell it again. What's up with Sabaa Tahir and the skies? I think she's an angel from the skies. Only skies, bleeding skies. *So annoyed*. But finally finished with Ember in the ashes. Surely she wouldn't have written skies in the second book right? And boy was I wrong. She's addicted to skies. And now even I don't take skies (I mean the thing we use to slide in snow) out in winter! I'm hating skies, Sabaa. I'm sorry, but you've gotta learn different swearing words pretty soon or your reader fam are gonna go nutzzzz

[[deleted user]]

I see no issue with the use of bad words in books. As long as it makes sense and it's part of a character's personality. If it's constant and by everyone then it's just bad writing.

[Isabella]

I agree. One or 2 words a chapter totally dosent bother me but like John Green writes it like every page for example it just makes me uncomfortable.

[Genna]

not a problem for me. it really adds so the intensity of a situation if characters use it in the appropriate times.

[Madi :)]

Overly frequent use of bad language is one of my biggest pet peeves in novels when it’s used to make the characters seem ‘mature’ without adding any actual substance to the novel. I don’t mind it if it’s used in the right moment and seems authentic but I hate it when it’s overused.

[Isabella]

Same!

[Avery]

I agree! It think that if it is used tastfully, it can add to a YA book and help it become more mature without being too much.

[Kenzie (kenzieandherbooks)]

I don’t mind if it’s once in a while and if it ties in to the characters personality but if it’s like every other word the characters are just saying cuss words to say cuss words then I put down the book and never pick it up again

[Booktastically]

Unless it's overly THERE, like:

I want to [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] him. Seriously, I hate him so [REDACTED] much. Oh, I really do hope that he is [REDACTED] by his [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED].

I really don't mind. Also, if it is used in a context I normally wouldn't look over, some serious consideration about stopping the book would occur.

[Jolie]

Bad language is expected, especially in YA books. But as always, it should be mentioned in the description.

[BiBookDemon]

I really don't mind it. I think that it adds a bit more emphasis to what the characters are saying. For example, a sentence that is very common: What the....
There are many ways to complete that sentence, and you actually don't even need to complete it! But I'm trying to make a point, so here are two examples of that sentence completed:
What the cheese?!
What the h*ll?!
Which one is more dramatic? Which one would best be used to get the character's astonishment, anger, or any number of other feelings across?
In my opinion, the second one would do that better, and I would be perfectly happy with it being used. Or any other cuss word. Now, it's an entirely different story if the characters are constantly cussing. Like, they can't go a whole sentence without adding in a cuss word. That I would hate. But other than that, I'm good with this aspect of a book.

[Sally]

curse words are like seasoning for words so i dont mind

[Katherine]

Almond wrote: "curse words are like seasoning for words so i dont mind"

A good way to think about it. Too much ruins the stew. And of course, it can be seasoned with other things. But sometimes salty language is just what is needed.

[Jenna Marie ~Scheming Scribbler~]

I don't appreciate it; it seems unnecessary most of the time, and some younger audiences don't want to be exposed to it

[sephora ౨ৎ⸆⸉]

'tis needed for character development/personas/context, and it's not like ya audiences haven't heard it before :/

[iimpulsvbtch]

Almond wrote: "curse words are like seasoning for words so i dont mind"

Agreed

[Christopher]

Bad language is a tricky subject because it can make or break a book, especially if the reader is young.
I wrote a book that was filled with F-bombs, and as much as the readers liked it, I had some comments about the swearing in my reviews. As a result, I took out most of the swearing and the story still works.

[Liz]

My only problem is when an author switches between the @fake” cuss words and real ones. One of the books that I recently read, the author had used the word “shit” multiple times, and then changed a well known phrase to “bat-poop crazy”.

[A]

bat-poop crazy :skullemoji:

[v (sabrina, kenji, ravi, jude's version)]

i think it depends on the character and situation, but like when they just curse every 5 seconds its weird

[v (sabrina, kenji, ravi, jude's version)]

Liz wrote: "My only problem is when an author switches between the @fake” cuss words and real ones. One of the books that I recently read, the author had used the word “shit” multiple times, and then changed a..."
BAT POOP CRAZY SHUT UP

[Eva]

I have no problem with bad language at books as long as I don't read about a character who curse in every single sentence .

[Aina]

I mean I don't mind it, but there are many books which have too many bad words, it's not that necessary and it gets annoying, it's like some authors think it's a good idea because in some certain way it addd something to the plot and that's far from reality.

[Tabi]

for me like if the book is set back in the 18 or 1600s and they start using like F*** and or language that has only been around a few generations it bugs me idk

[Samantha]

couldn't really care less as long as it's not excessive

[Martin]

The written word is emphatic and can sound harsh. I think it's better to avoid coarse, unless it's relevant language to the book.

[Lavender (Ally-Grace)]

Though it may sound weird to say, words such as “h-ll” and “f—k” can be incredibly poetic if used correctly, so I don’t mind if the placement is right, or if it makes sense in the situation, as long as it’s meaning is worn out. As long as it is realistic and not redundant, then I’m pretty okay with it.

[Kasi]

Fine with swearing except for when the grammar sucks and if it's excessive.

[Tasha]

I don't care for it, I mean once in a while it's ok but a lot of authors over use the f bomb lol