Can we talk about swearing?
You goddamn right we can! Here's the thing: I swear. A lot. If done right, a character swearing in a book or movie can make me giggle. Which means I do a shitty job of hiding my 5 year old mentality, but let's not talk about that.
Swearing in blogs:
If you follow a lot of blogs, you'll notice that some of them have a certain audience in mind. There are YA blogs that are generally aimed towards adults, and while I don't mind such blogs (they happen to be one of my favorites, actually), I guess they are more liberal in the kind of content they offer. My blog is sort of a cocktail. I write what comes to mind, without worrying about who'll read it. My audience is anyone who comes across this blog. But I still find my self thinking twice before swearing. In a way, I want to stay true to myself,but I have to put in mind not to offend anyone reading my post. It all depends on what I'm writing. If it's a book review, chances are, it will be clean. Except if it's a really negative review, then chances are, you'll stumble across a few jewels on the way. Discussion posts, however, is where I take liberty saying whatever I want. It was harder at first, but you get more and more comfortable with your blog, and words will go out unfiltered.
Swearing in books:
Let's get one thing straight: A swearer like my self, does NOT mind bad language. We cherish it, really. So opening a book to find made-up swear words like frack, or crap really turns me off. Especially if the MC is standing in front of the barrel of a gun and all they manage to say is... crap. Really? REALLY?! I'd make use of all my cursing vocabulary if I am ever put in such a position.
I don't demand bad language to enjoy a book, only a realistic dialogue. But I understand why an author might choose to omit somethings. YA is read by a large age group. And I do mean LARGE. The target audience starts with twelve years old, so there might be somethings to consider while writing a YA book. Not that a twelve year old is not acquainted with swear words (I know I was), but still.. it might not feel right. That said, I am NOT one for rating books.
The best solution, I think, is the kind of books that dance around. It's like, if you're old enough to know what that means, you're old enough to read about it. Here's an example from the top of my mind from Finnikin of The Rock:
“My mother, unlike yours, never exchanged sexual favors for a piece of silver," he said, addressing the first insult by banging the boy's head against the trunk of the tree. "And," he said with another resounding thump, "although I'm very familiar with that part of the female body, I take offense at being labeled one.”
*Inner five year old giggles*
What about you? How swearish do you like your books and your blog?!
Is it wrong that I actually relish a good swearing? :/
I'm sending you the biggest virtual hug ever sent for this post!!!
Swearing is normal for me. I keep my mouth shut around adults because it's immediately my parents who are blamed for my language (as if they have any control over my mind or mouth). But when I'm around people my age/close to my age? I let it out full force. I like swearing because it lets me show my feelings without having to hit someone.
As for books... one of the reasons I enjoyed The F- It List was because Alex swore like a sailor. She was amazing and a normal teen. Lately, girls in books have to get all shy and blush-y when the *whispers* s-word!!! *end whisper* is said. Seriously? People don't go to jail for swearing.
And for blogs... when I'm angry, I swear. If people don't like it, they know how to get off my blog. I'm not changing and sugarcoating my feelings to make people I don't even know better. Besides, it's not like I swear in every post - mostly the discussion ones. And maybe negative reviews.
Soooo. this is a long comment ;P To sum it up, I don't mind swearing in books because teens and adults swear almost all the time. And if there is swearing in blogs, I couldn't care less. if it's funny, I'll laugh.
HAHAHA omg I am so amazed by you at this point XD I'm not a huge swearer, though the people that constitute my immediate surroundings generally get me used to that. However, I don't mind cursing at all when it comes to books (or real life)-- I actually find some sort of hilarity in people who swear like there's no tomorrow (Kenji from Shatter Me was some major coolbeans), and I think it's a really effective way of expressing some of the more deep-seated emotions that you can't simply express with normal words. And yeah, it bothers me to an extent when authors play goody-goody all the time. But of course, this is the YA genre of which we speak, so I guess I understand why they're trying to be careful. And that excerpt from Finnikin of the Rock really made me LOL =)) Love this post Reem!
I don't mind swearing at all! I cussed all the time as a teen, and while I don't do it now unless I'm worked up about something, I still don't care. I'm like you, I'm more bothered when they say something like "Fudge". Really, fudge instead of fuck? haha.
I keep the language pretty clean on my blog, but only because if in the future I want to use it on a resume to try and get a bookish job, I don't want that to come back and hurt me. It's not because I care about who I offend or anything like that. I'm just wary of the future. Haha.
Made up swear words drive me CRAZY! They instantly make a book feel childish and turn me off. One of my biggest pet peeves.
Swearing doesn't bother me but sometimes I find that books overdo it. I actually like reading books where teens swear just because it speaks more to me as a teen...if that makes sense? But there are cases where it feels like swearing is added just for the sake of swearing and that's where I get sort of ehhh about it. I'm also not a big fan of a cuss word in the first sentence but that's just me, I guess.
But with blogs, swearing is 100% fine. I've been having this internal discussion with myself about how the words are not inherently wrong or rude. It's more the way you use it just like how fuck can simultaneously mean 'extremely' or something a bit more explicit.
I'm with Asti though. I try to avoid swearing on my blog except for maybe the occasional ass because I've gotten enough social media lectures at school to know that what you say online can often come back to bite you! I would hate to be declined for something because I displayed 'inappropriate behaviour' online. So...hopefully no one's reading my Facebook messages because those can get a bit more...rowdy, in terms of swearing I guess.
Yeah swearing doesn't bother me at all, but the made-up swear words DO get on my nerves (see the blog post I wrote all about that, lol). I think some authors handle it much better than others.
Oh, and as far as on blogs? Yeah, I think I stick to rules similar to what you do. But honestly I swear a LOT more in real life than I do online.
Swearing doesn't bug me outside of, like, specifically gendered words. If I see a book blogger dropping the C-word I am OUT. Same with most books - I dunno, I think most swear words are definitely YA-appropriate because as someone who's still technically a teen, everyone I've known since I was about 12 has had a completely filthy mouth! It's not like we don't hear the f-word on the daily. But I kind of draw the line at THAT word (the one that starts with a C) being used in YA, because of all its gross misogynist connotations. It gets dropped in Charm and Strange and I totally did a triple take like, did I just read this? It makes sense with the context and overall subject matter of that book but, omg, usually NOT YA-appropriate.
Also, I try to tone down how much I swear on my blog compared to, say, my Tumblr or other internet hang-outs. Gotta keep up some kind of professionalism!
I hardly swear on my blog, but some characters are just too stupid and I do use some harder words for them. I don't mind swearing in books either, but it has to serve a purpose. I don't like it when swearwords are randomly used. Great topic :D!
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
Swearing doesn't bother me in books or on blogs at all. But since I have 2 kids, I don't really swear much IRL unless I'm upset (This took a lot of work ;) ) so I guess since I'm careful because of my kids, I don't really think about swear words when I'm writing my posts. But if I feel like using a swear word in a post, I will :D
Interesting post! Swearing in books is one of those things that's just a non-issue for me, really. If it's there, fine. If it's not, that's fine too. Same with blogs and other things on the internet. I'm not a swearer in real life(well, until I stub my toe), because it's a habit I worked hard to not pick up(I'm always afraid I would say things at the wrong time--like in an office, for example), but I don't even really notice it most of the time.
YES OMG I LOVED THAT QUOTE FROM FINNIKIN. (Also a bit of why I'm hesitant to read Froi. Froi WHY WHY WHY). Erm, anyway.
I'm with you about not swearing on the blog (was only tempted once? with a book that made me rage!!!). I'm not directed toward any particular audience and truthfully the only difference I've ever noticed between those aimed towards adults and those aimed towards younger audiences is that the reviews talk about swearing and sexual content. I don't generally put that stuff there because I think you can generally tell whether a book is promoting the "steaminess" of the romance. Swearing, though, does present another problem in books for those who want to avoid, but I think editors generally seem to do a good job about making sure that it's not ever too much, even if YA has a huge, huge age span.
I'm not a fan of the made-up swearing either - like frexxin instead of the f word (oh, look at that ;). Censoring myself in your post!) - nor a huge fan of it happening very frequently (one book gave me the impression of trying to make the MC sound BA when swearing isn't the only way to do that). I'm with you: a good quote like the one in Finnikin gives you a chance to show his and Froi's character while providing enough that we can surmise the rest and feel like we're in on the joke too.
Not at all! Join the club!
Gimmiee some swearing love, Eve!
I keep it clean in front of adults too! I don't feel comfortable being all sweary in front of them.Right now, swears come out automatically. It's like a part of myy brain finds them crucial for functioning.
I LOVE it when a character is unfiltered in a book. Makes me feel like I'm listening to one, instead of reading about them. And as to blogging, I don't mind blogs that swear, and I do swear in mine quite often. LET IT BE! :P
Yeah, I think it depends on who I'm hanging with. If they are adults, then I won't feel comfortable swearing around them. Heck, THEY won't feel comfortable. And I totally agree about it being a way to express your feeling. Sometimes, swearing is invitable (like if you're really frustrated or standing in front of the point of a gun :P)
Glad you liked this, Jasmine <3
Oooh, fudge! It ,reminds me of the Disney shows I used to watch. They'd say stuff like holy ffff...eathers. Really, disney? REALLY?!
But then again, I had never thought about using my blog professionally. You make a really good point there, and maybe in the future I would be more careful, but since I don't have any plans now.. BRINGG UP ALL THE SWEARING!
Mine too!! It sounds pretty cheesy. Remind me of Disney shows.
I totally get what you say. Sometimes it's overdone, and it feels like the author is trying too hard to make their character a teen, you know? It's all about realistic dialogue for me. IF you can pull off a book with no cussing that also feels realistic, then kudos to you!
I think if I ever choose to use the blog professionally, i'd definitely watch my tongue. Even though a blog is supposed to be less formal than a site and more about YOU, I'd still take care
I do remember your post! That's what brought made up curse words to mind!
Oh, and if I swear on the blog as much as in real life, things would get pretty weird.
I haven't come across a book with the C-word, except if it's appropriate to the era. Like, for example, a medieval setting. You'd see the word thrown around quite commonly, because it wasn't that big of a deal then. I agree, gendered words are hard to wrap your head around, but I think after a while, they loose their meaning and become like any other curse words out there: a sound more than an actual word.
I know! Some reviews get the best of me!
Oh, yeah! I can imagine how tough that might be!
I don't really swear in real life and definitely not on my blog. I really don't mind swearing in books, only not when it's overdone and just not natural anymore. Swearing is quite normal for a lot of teens and thus normal to use in YA books. And in some situations the only right word to use is a swear word. But I've read a few books where the f-word and such is used in almost every sentence, I just don't think that's necessary and that doesn't reflect teen language anymore.
Eveline's Books
Errr~ I swear a lot IRL that my female boss advised me to gurgle holy water as a way to cleanse my mouth. But on my blog, I refrain from writing profanities since there might come a time that I'll be using it as a portfolio during job hunting. <3
And no, I don't have any problem with reading a lot of expletives in books as long as it's not overly done. For me, swearing gives the story a more authentic feel. And it's really funny you know as long as the timing is perfect and the used swear word was kind of appropriate to the whole situation. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!.
i think a lot of people don't mind swearing unless it is over done to make a character look hip or young, you know? :D
I laughed when I read that quote! I actually would love to read about Froi because of it. He;s such a complicated character, you know?!
Yeah, I don't swear much on my blog, but you know, I reached a point where I don't think much about it. If I want to, I'll do it, if I feel it's out of place, I'll move on.
Made up swear words frustrate me too! I mean, I don't want to hear a 19 year old sound like a kindergartner!
Yeah, I think it's harder for me to swear in review especially since I sometimes have to send them to the publicist or author.. There are always exception though ;)
I think overdoing swear words can me a diallogue sound unrealistic too! It words both ways. It's like, the character trying to sound too tough or cool, you know?!
HAHA! Now that's some advice! I guess I'm lucky I'm not looking for a job now?! :P Yeah I don;t think I;ll r use my blog professionally any time soon.
and yeah, before writing this post, I didn't realize that both under doing and over doing swear words can make a dialogue sound weird.
Sometimes I swear on my blog -- but first I tend to think about whether I really need to swear, or if there's a better way to express the thought. Sometimes there isn't, so I go for it. Other times it helps me to focus my writing, because I spend thirty seconds looking for the appropriate phrase instead of throwing out a curse word.
Yeah, I used to think it over when I first started, but now things just go unfiltered. I don't swear much, but sometimes there are exceptions :D
I have to admit, I do swear sometimes in my reviews. But I tend to blink them haha (as in f*** or I just say WTF instead of writing out the whole thing) and it's fairly rare- it only happens when I'm completely raging about a stupidity in a book or something. I don't mind reading swearing in other people's reviews as well- as long as it's not excessive and actually makes sense in the context.
There was this one book where someone used the term "what the stink". Seriously? In what world to people say that?! I actually don't mind when authors make up swear words as long as it's in the context of being in the future or something, and language has evolved. Because, fair enough, if your book is set in the year 3000, the curse words used probably aren't going to be the same.
Sometimes the books that dance around it annoy me, especially if the character is one that would seem to know a choice word or two. But I don't like it when swearing is used excessively and for no real reasons. I think the best way to use it is where it feels natural. Teenagers swear, anyone knows that as soon as they get into high school. Trying to avoid it with made up words, like you said, can get irritating. (unless it's part of the world's vocabulary in a fantasy/sci-fi, etc)
Haha I totally giggled there too. I've been thinking about this a lot actually and I'm still conflicted. In books, swear your heart out. I don't care. It makes it more realistic to me.
However, on my blog... See, I swear a lot more in my mind than I do with people. That means I do a lot of filtering in real life, and on Twitter, and on my blog so you won't see too many f-bombs anywhere, although you can bet if it seems appropriate, I did it in my head. I use a lot of place holders though (so freakin', crap, etc.). Great post!
-P.E.
I actually do swear a lot in real life - but to myself only. I still live with my family, and I know they don't approve of behaviors like this, so if I ever feel the need to swear, I'll shout it in my head, or head up to my room and just go, "Fuckity, fuck, fuck." ESPECIALLY when I'm angry. And that's almost all the time because I've got a short fuse, haha. I think this is the side of me that NO ONE knows about, because I'm usually pretty good and mild-mannered.
I don't make it a point to swear on my blog, unless it's REALLY necessary, like what Abria said. I like to keep my blog a little more professional than I really am, and if anyone from real life ever stumbled across it, I doubt they'd be too amused!
But swearing it books? By all means, GO AHEAD. I hate it when authors try to tone down the teeangery stuff in YA by using fake swear words. "Crap" is usually okay, but frack? Excuse me while I go snort extraordinarily loud into my sleeve. I also hate it when authors try to do it too much, like bad boys. It's SO annoying if there's a bad boy in the book and "fuck" is in every sentence he says. C'mon, I get that people are foulmouthed - I am, too - but that's a bit too much, don't you think? So yes! Swear only when it feels right, is what I say.
That quote totally made me LOL... and also reminded me that I need to get to Finnikin soon. ;)
Yeah, in some reviews you just HAVE to swear, you know? I do make it a point to not be offensive, though, because some of these reviews go to the publicist/author.
What the stink? Oh dear god, I hope I never come across that. I think this is something a 5 years old would be made fun of for saying! :P
I agree, sometimes it's made in a silly way. But in the quote for example, I don't think the author could have got away with saying the actual word since it's YA. Or maybe she could've. I don't know much about book ratings, so...
Yeah, I used to do the filtering too! I don't swear much on Twitter because I have my extended family there. I don't think it's about the swearing, but the inappropriateness, you know??
I'm a total goody goody with my family too! More than once mom got mad 'cause she'd catch me swearing my heart out. With extended family, like cousins and so, I dunno... some I'm very comfortable with, and can swear my heart out to, and some.. I don't feel comfortable around, so like you, I kind of filter things out. With my friends I'm totally comfortable, though, and can say whatever I want.
Yeah, I realized from this post that not a lot of people mind swearing in books, which is awesome if you ask me! And yeah, boys who swear a lot in books give off the feeling of a dumb frat boy. Not my thing :P
You should totally get Finnikin! There are gems like these everywhere in it!
Thanks for stopping by, Meg! <3
I keep my blog swear-free. While I don't mind if the blogs I follow use an occasional swear word, I don't feel it's necessary. (Sometimes, I feel that swear words can weaken an argument instead of making it more impactful, though that depends on the context, of course.)
As for books, I hate when realistic fiction dances around swear words. "Frack" is a huge pet peeve. "Crap" is fine, but not when the context, like the example you listed above, calls for something a bit stronger. In YA especially, teens are going to curse, so it's okay to throw in a few swear words.
Some books that invent their own curses work, though, like The Maze Runner, since it makes sense within that world.
Swearing where appropriate in a book is fine by me. Just as long as its not for shock effect but as a natural part of conversation. I don't filter my blog for certain words as I don't tend to swear a lot on real life. I've no objection to it and I let fly from time to time but its not really me.
Made up words are so stupid though. Either swear or don't but don't make up pretend words that's just so childish.
I know, if overdone, it can definitely weaken your argument. I usually use them to make snarky jokes about a bad books. They come in handy :P
I haven't read a book that invented swear words, but I'd really love to know what they come up with! :P I can use it on my friends without them knowing.
I know. There were books were the speech was all nice and childish and then BAM, f-bomb. It feels so out of character, you know?
It's in an absolute gem (sarcasm) of a book named Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis. It is no doubt the most terrible book I have ever read. And it's free on Amazon if you want to check it out/torture yourself :P
I don't mind swearing in books. But I also don't mind milder words like "crap". For some people, those are swears. Variations on the big ones, though... those can get annoying. Frack, friggin', flippin'... or (my favourite) fuggin'. Ugh. If you want to use that word, just frickin' use it. Heh...
I try not to swear on my blog, though. I'm reviewing books... not negotiating for my life with pirates.
Yeah, it all depends on the context. It's just that lighter swear words are sometimes inappropriate , so are the.. heavy ones? :P I dunno what they're called. And yeah, I don't tend to swear a lot in my reviews.
Ha! Don't think I'll be able to handle "what the stink" :P
I don't mind swearing so long they don't just swear. I don't read stories where every other word is a profanity, but we all swear IRL now and then so it should happen in books as well. I try to keep my blog clean though. I have no problem using swear worlds but I don't want have it on "my record" Lol.
Yeah, when it's overdone, it can be as equally cheesy as when they use made up swear words.
I also find it a bit strange when characters do not swear or exclaim more in a tricky situation. It's also awkward the way some authors try to find was around it. I've seen it done well, in either situation I know what they are avoiding though. It's like bleeping a song. We all know what they are going to say so does bleeping it matter? Overdone is bad too. Great post!