Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Addicts discussion
General Discussion
>
To Swear or Not To Swear. You Decide . . .
date
newest »
newest »
It doesn't matter to me, but it does make it more real. We all swear, especially when emotions are running high. I just don't like when Author's ( not all some) make up swear words. To me it makes the story childlike and less serious. But in all, it makes no difference to me.
Cheers
-Emily
I did the poll on your site. I don't either about the words. I care more about spelling, punctuation, and grammar.BTW, I loved Book 1. I am expecting an Amazon gift card soon and I'll be able to continue the series. It's great!
Thank you Madame Zelda! Right now I'm incorporating the changes from my beta reader comments into book 2, The Light Who Binds. Then it will go to editing. I have a few rounds of editing before publishing, but it is getting close. :)
I actually find it to be more like real-life when swear words are used, including harsh ones. But, this is also from someone that uses the F word like a comma in usual, everyday language! I have to be really cautious of the words coming out of my mouth when I'm at work! I get it from my mama, she cusses like a sailor!
I don't have a problem if there is no swearing but when its like
the house of night series that is one of the major reason I stopped that series I couldn't stand the fake swearing there teenagers just cuss already
Heh, I decided one of my characters wasn't going to cuss, and then caught a few "accidental" occurrence of shit, damn, and ass --- when I hadn't intended to have her even use minced oaths unless she was super-mad. I told my editor to be on the lookout, in case I missed any, and she found another dozen, at least (in a 120,000 word book).I left one "asshole" in, when she was drunk, but took the rest out.
Cussing doesn't bother me in the least, though I appreciate when an author gives each character their own "style" of how they use the words.
Thank you Candace for that. My characters do have distinct styles of swearing. They each have their own rules about what they are willing to do. :) But honestly, I didn't think anyone would notice that. I'm glad that you do actually pay attention to that sort of thing.
I don't think most readers notice speech patterns consciously, but they sense more character development, I think.I had a guy who was raised catholic, who cussed like crazy, but didn't appreciate it when people said GD around him. Little quirks like that add to creating realistic characters, in my mind, anyway.
My shifters are male of a certain age and most former military, it would be weird if they didn't swear.:-)
My father is former military, but he wouldn't think of swearing in front of a woman. :) He is also about 70! So times may have changed.
Yeah, I think it definitely depends on the character! Like, if a book is totally full of swearing that's probably a bit excessive, but I'd never write or read based on, like, a percentage of swearing. I'm more interested in the characters' voices being authentic, and if that includes swearing then at least some of that should come through!I also think making up swear words can work really well in a fantasy/future world, but it's very hard to do, I'm not sure I'd have the guts to try!
Thanks Amber. I do have some made up swear words based on the world that the book takes place in. Lady of Light! Great Abyss! I have them mixed in with regular expletives.
Hi All. If any of you have not taken the poll, I hope you will. I'm hoping to get to 100 entries. If you do take the poll, please answer it as a reader (of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance) and not as a writer. You can view the results of the poll in real time by clicking on the link below the poll in the blog post.Thanks very much!
Lilo
For me it depends on the book, the flow of the story and the age range it is intended for. I know a lot of YA authors limit or ban swear words, but as I write for adults, if it is natural for one or more of my characters to swear, they do!
I can say I have no problem with swearing as long as it is not constant or there is no reason for it (just dropping swear words in for the sake of it. I think if its a YA book, you have to be careful what words are used
SWEAR WORDS IN URBAN FANTASY / PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOKS?
I just checked my reviews today and saw a new one came in addressing swear words. The reader writes,
"I like that you told a great story and you didn't have to use curse words. Thank you for that."
This isn't the first time I've received this comment and I love that readers are communicating their thoughts on this. However, this wasn't really a goal of mine when I wrote the book. I'm not pro or con swear words. I'm fine with them when they fit the story . . . (Click here for the poll and the combined results: http://bit.ly/1J5imrp)