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Green · 17th August 2005, 09:22 AM

As long as you're not writing for children, there's no reason why you shouldn't use swear words PROVIDED IT FITS THE TONE AND CONTEXT OF YOUR WRITING.

I find made-up swear words to be fairly cheesy and embarassing really. Swear words have the effect they have because we have our own attachments to them, which we've built up over years of use. They have their place and their own impact.

If you start making up swear words, and unless you do it exceptionally well, then the reader just isn't going to react to them in the same way at all. It'd be akin to saying "phoot" or "darn". How cheesy is that?

Obviously, the point of tone comes in again. Take WoT for example... it would be out of character for anyone to use the "f" word in any of Jordan's novels, and so he uses phrases like "Light!" etc. It kind of works, but it still lacks impact with the reader. It just becomes a writer-ism.

So, if your setting is a futuristic version of our world/universe, then I'd suggest using our swear words, or at least some derivation of them. I'd disagree with cyborg_cinema that profanity turns readers off (in general). Sometimes it will, but if it fits your novel, then those who are turned away aren't right for your novel anyway. So at the end of the day, if you think it fits, I say go for it. Most people are adult enough to handle a little swearing in their reading.

17th August 2005, 09:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Green Sick and Tired Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 807	Re: Inventing swear words As long as you're not writing for children, there's no reason why you shouldn't use swear words PROVIDED IT FITS THE TONE AND CONTEXT OF YOUR WRITING. I find made-up swear words to be fairly cheesy and embarassing really. Swear words have the effect they have because we have our own attachments to them, which we've built up over years of use. They have their place and their own impact. If you start making up swear words, and unless you do it exceptionally well, then the reader just isn't going to react to them in the same way at all. It'd be akin to saying "phoot" or "darn". How cheesy is that? Obviously, the point of tone comes in again. Take WoT for example... it would be out of character for anyone to use the "f" word in any of Jordan's novels, and so he uses phrases like "Light!" etc. It kind of works, but it still lacks impact with the reader. It just becomes a writer-ism. So, if your setting is a futuristic version of our world/universe, then I'd suggest using our swear words, or at least some derivation of them. I'd disagree with cyborg_cinema that profanity turns readers off (in general). Sometimes it will, but if it fits your novel, then those who are turned away aren't right for your novel anyway. So at the end of the day, if you think it fits, I say go for it. Most people are adult enough to handle a little swearing in their reading.