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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11081-On-Profanity.html
Drama: November 17, 2021 Issue [#11081]




 This week: On Profanity
  Edited by: NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Would the use of profanity put you off a novel? Does it depend on the genre? Is there a limit to that use?

This week's Drama Newsletter is all about strong language... but worry not! It is suitable for all readers.

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Letter from the editor

Before I say anything else, let me assure you that I do not object to strong language. I am Dyspraxic and, therefore, prone to bumping into objects and tripping over my own feet. I have broken each of my toes at least once. You bet I’ve spoken some less-than-fluffy words!

I believe that words of that nature can be used to great effect. That goes for the written word as much as for the spoken. They can indicate the seriousness of a situation, reveal a character’s strength of feeling. As writers, we can delicately drop such a word at just the right time, in just the right place and make our readers sit up and pay attention. The trick is to find that time and place. It’s not always as easy as it seems.

Some writers will disagree with me here. A bestselling author like George R. R. Martin could argue that I’m being oversensitive – the use of profanity sure hasn’t done him any harm. As someone who enjoys his work I could say that I feel the profanity gets repetitive at times, but the rest of his writing is good enough for me to overlook it. And he could argue back that hey, I kept reading, right? I did. I also know that it’s likely that others have no issue with his wording.

Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire world, though, is a harsh one. It’s one of battle, where the most shameful accusation one could possibly receive is that of being craven. Life is harsh, cruel, brutal even. That kind of world is a breeding ground for strong language. It’s a little less obvious why one would liberally sprinkle profanity throughout, say, a romantic comedy. That’s what I encountered recently in a novel I’d very much looked forward to reading, and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.

The book in question is All the Feels by Olivia Dade and on the whole it’s lovely. It’s about a burnt-out therapist who, instead of spending some time off as planned finds herself looking after an actor in a spot of bother. The actor is a handful, but often endearing. Dade has done an excellent job weaving his ADHD throughout his storyline without it feeling forced or preachy. And the therapist is a strong, interesting woman who it’s easy to cheer on. The book is a lot of fun and a must for those who enjoy fan fiction (the actor writes fan fiction), and those who have some issues with season 8 of Game of Thrones. Even if you aren’t into either of those, but you like a creative feel-good story, I can highly recommend it. As long as you don’t mind profanity.

I genuinely wish there was less of it. It’s not used all the time, but enough to stand out and feel somewhat unnecessary. Don’t let that put you off, though. You might feel differently.

Feelings on this will differ. Some readers will be put off by any use of profanity. Some won’t mind no matter what you put in. Some will be okay with certain words, but not others. The decision to use strong language, then, must be made with all of this in mind. Do you want your work to be fine to read for all the potential readers of your genre, or are you okay with it being a little more exclusive, to write for a more select audience?

The choice is yours, of course. Just as it was my choice to write an entire Newsletter editorial about profanity without actually using any. Did you notice? I am quite impressed by it myself. *Laugh*

As always, whatever you end up choosing, enjoy yourself! And remember to use the correct content rating if you post work containing profanity here on Writing.Com. I wish you a week filled with inspiration,

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Editor's Picks

Some contests to inspire you:

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Distorted Minds Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Special flash fiction round for the month of November!
#2103204 by Warped Sanity Author IconMail Icon


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Paranormal Romance Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Now, Open Exclusively to HSP students & members - a 2016 & 2020 Quill Award winner
#2089860 by Jim Hall Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
The Whatever Contest -- Closed for Now Open in new Window. (13+)
This irregular contest will change each round. Nature poem? Horror story? Whatever.
#2232242 by Schnujo's Doing NaNoWriMo? Author IconMail Icon


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SENIOR CENTER FORUM Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Place for Seniors!
#427318 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


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The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


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HONORING OUR VETERANS  Open in new Window. (ASR)
Of course there's a Veterans Day - EVERY DAY!
#423698 by Monty Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
NOVEMBER: Comedy... Thanksgiving with the Family
#981150 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
Writing 4 Kids Contest  Open in new Window. (ASR)
If you like writing stories and/or poems for kids, this is the contest for you!
#1999597 by Cubby Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
Rebel Poetry Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Open for March 2024
#2112615 by Warped Sanity Author IconMail Icon


And don't forget:

 
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SURVEY
Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the quote provided to write a story and win big prizes!
#1207944 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


 
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Ask & Answer

The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Drama Newsletter Team

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