Profanity in Chick Lit? http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460 farmerswife Is this a no-no or do you think it's ok? For some reason, in my mind, my MC tends to swear A LOT and I'm wondering if I should have a talk with her or just let it go..... Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:22:28 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_150548 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_150548 bereccabox That was going to be one of my next questions. What I want to write is a bit chick-lit-y, but now as the idea forms in my head, it seems to be morphing into something that kind of... breaks the boundaries of what chick lit is. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:42:31 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_150848 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_150848 jjsigford If it's authentic to your character, then I don't see why not. I mean, look at Bridget Jones (my chick-lit heroine) she drops the f-bomb quite a bit (in the book and the movie). As long as it's not every other word out of her mouth I think you're good. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:38:21 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_151550 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_151550 lindsay allison I agree, as long as it's in character and not just for the heck of it. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:58:57 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_151787 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_151787 AshleyKeniston It should be necessary, like they've said. Also, if it's really bothersome to you, you can always say "she swore at the cat as he tore across her lap" or speak of the "profanities raining from her mouth" every once in a while so you're novel's not littered in four letter words. But, personally, I LOVE when a character swears. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:53:16 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_161130 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_161130 EssephVee I like it,too, as long as it's keeping with the character. I have one who is going to be cussing, but doesn't use traditional cuss words. She thinks she is clever (she isn't but don't tell her, k?) Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:07:05 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_164174 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_164174 jjsigford I LOVE people who have "swear words" that aren't really swear words. The ones that I personally use are "shut the front door" and "son of a one eyed cracker". A good friend of mine uses "birchwood tree" and "lint licker". I'm not entirely sure if that's what you're going for in yours, but yes, we do think we're clever and yes, we know that we aren't really haha. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:38:58 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_170659 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_170659 misscorleon go for it as long as it is what your character would say Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:15:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_178962 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_178962 lindsay allison I tend to use fake swear word when I'm at work. I especially use "frick" from Sarah Chalke on "Scrubs". My favorites are "frick", "frick on a stick" (mainly because it rhymes), "bitty", or something really cliche like that. :) Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:13:10 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_189776 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_189776 Soluna I will be using profanity with one of my characters, maybe 2. it is just fitting their personalities Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:34:52 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_198872 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_198872 pookersmom Dude, my main character has a mouth like a sailor. It's a minor plot point. Her husband gives her crap about it all the time. I think it's funny. I swear, all my friends swear, and frankly I don't trust people who have so much self control that they DON'T swear. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:37:55 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216361 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216361 littledupont My MC is a southerner totally out of her element in Boston, so she's surrounded by laid back artists, lesbians, and trust fund babies who have no real rules (two are huge potheads, one is a 30-something lawyer, two are a lesbian couple who go by the joint name of "Toni Collette") and she's totally not used to the swearing, the smoking, the openness... It's going to be fun :) Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:44:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216434 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216434 jjsigford This made me laugh out loud, especially the "Toni Collette" part. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:11:28 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216765 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216765 littledupont I didn't even do it on purpose, though I think it may have totally been subconscious. One of the ladies is Toni Canning and her younger girlfriend (who also happens to be the Boy's little sister) is Colette Sampson, so they've adopted the persona even without my intent! Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:24:05 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216897 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_216897 jjsigford I love it when those things happen :) Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:26:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_222331 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_222331 lindsay allison LD, Your stuff sounds awesome! :) If you want someone to read to give you opinions, reactions, etc, just let me know!! Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:30:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_223238 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_223238 coleyco29 I just saw this, and yeah... laughing out loud at work over Toni Collette. That is amazing! Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:36:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_250075 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_250075 confusedbritgirl I think if it fits the character, then go for it! Some of the best chick lit novels I've read have been true to life...however, I'm a bit of a wuss whom doesnt swear much in life, so I'll be going for the 'oh botheration! Oh flip!" route for the most part! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:42:05 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_364198 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_364198 soavezefiretto I'm writing in spanish, so cussing is a must. You cannot be a normal spanish person, even a very well educated and posh one, and not use swear words in every second sentence. If it's her character, use them. If your character would watch any science fiction, you could also make her use "frak" as a substitute for the f word. Even President Roslin used that! :-) Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:03:42 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_399232 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_399232 Cellospice If it's a really sassy character, then swearing seems totally within reason. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with swearing in chick lit. Chick lit is fiction about women written for women. Real women swear so it makes sense that characters would too. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:08:25 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_405679 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_405679 Silver Screen Suppers Ladies, I love you. I am English and my foul mouthed sweary main character is SHOCKING ME TO THE CORE with the things she says. It's making me laugh a lot. I also laughed out loud at some of the replies above and am particularly fond of the phrase "son of a one eyed cracker" which I fully intend to use in my day job tomorrow - or if not, in my novel if that's OK jjsigford - xx Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:55:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_530844 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_530844 JuliaChapman97 This is awesome. I just noticed that your picture lines up perfectly with your halo so it looks like you're actually wearing the halo. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:47:07 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_533863 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_533863 JessClearwater I'm drawing the line at the C-word. I want to put it in thee, but I'm too chicken. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:33:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_545775 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_545775 Silver Screen Suppers Just got the phrase "son of a one eyed cracker" into my novel - whoop! Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:27:25 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_656524 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_656524 xlsmith My 4 MCs are based on real women, and 3 out of 4 of them swear like a mother -. Haha. But that's how the real women are, the fourth only occasionally because that's how her real life counterpart is. To me the f-word has become just another descriptive word. I use it not just in emotional moments but constantly in regular conversation, much to the chagrin of my mother. And I agree with the other commenters who said they like when they see profanity in books. It frustrates me when I read a scene or conversation between two characters and I feel like the author (or possibly the editor) won't let the characters say what they should be saying in that moment. If it's right for the character, do it. And anyone who says otherwise... tell to go "frick" themselves. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:41:03 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_662564 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_662564 lilmissredtshirt I don't mind a few thrown in, but chick lit with frequent profanity or random sex scenes make me stop reading. I think it depends on the story and what's expected. If I'm reading Chelsea Handler's books, I except some profanity and such. If I'm reading a fluffy fun or light chick lit book about a summer at the beach, I don't want to hear sailor talk. In real life, I'm perhaps a bit more crass. :) Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:29:53 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1046523 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1046523 jjsigford So, I feel terrible that I just now saw this, but yay! I'm glad that you were able to use my silly swear word (well, swear phrase I suppose) Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:17:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1264763 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1264763 AltoidStorm hahaha this thread is gold. And yes, I agree. If it's your character, do it. I mean, one day if you try to publish and editor might ask that you trim it down. Much easier to trim down than up I think. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:55:53 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1373933 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/chick-lit/threads/8460?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1373933