Swearing in the first person.

[King_of_Fulfolk]

The protagonist of my tale swears like a trooper and drops G's when she speaks. To keep in charcter, as I'm writing in the first person, can I, she, still swear when there is text as opposed to speech?

And what about dropping letters within speechmarks? I, She, corrects dropped letters in the text. Is it acceptable in speech to any limit, even if it's just to show the reader how they talk at the outset?

Thank you

Fulfolk

 

[_Lynn_]

I've used the dropped 'g' before. Here's an example from a story I have posted on Lit.


"Yer not keepin' up, boy. All them machines down there need men runnin' em, not wimmen. Ya bin a wommen a time er two, eh girlie?"

"Sir, I'm working hard, but I've had to learn how to run the equipment on my own," Wade replied.

"Whatcha sayin' girlie? We ain't done takin' time ta teach ya?"

 

[King_of_Fulfolk]

Thank you Mistress Lynn. I shall continue with the letter dropping.

I remember reading that story, a true delight.

 

[Ironiclaconic]

The protagonist of my tale swears like a trooper and drops G's when she speaks. To keep in charcter, as I'm writing in the first person, can I, she, still swear when there is text as opposed to speech?

And what about dropping letters within speechmarks? I, She, corrects dropped letters in the text. Is it acceptable in speech to any limit, even if it's just to show the reader how they talk at the outset?

Thank you

Fulfolk

Swearing in text is easy, even in third person. "John sorted through the mail. Still no paycheck. This as getting fucking irritating."

As for screwin' with spellin' for fancy phoNETic reasonin', I personally find it very distractin', and it causes some flummoxin' of the confoundin' spell checker. But it's yer stawry.

 

[PayDay]

As stated, this is all entirely possible, but fair warning, whenever I do this people give me shit for:

'Why do your characters talk like that?'

I just revel in the knowledge that my characters were speaking.

But yeah, haters gonna hate, so if your sensibilities are sensative, don't.

 

[_Lynn_]

Thank you Mistress Lynn. I shall continue with the letter dropping.

I remember reading that story, a true delight.

Thanks. The story went over well with the readers.

Swearing in text is easy, even in third person. "John sorted through the mail. Still no paycheck. This as getting fucking irritating."

As for screwin' with spellin' for fancy phoNETic reasonin', I personally find it very distractin', and it causes some flummoxin' of the confoundin' spell checker. But it's yer stawry.

I used the "fancy phoNETics" for minor characters who had limited dialogue in the story, not for the main characters. Too much can be distracting.

 

[sr71plt]

As stated, this is all entirely possible, but fair warning, whenever I do this people give me shit for:

I do this frequently for characters. I've never received a complaint from a reader.

 

[slyc_willie]

Thanks. The story went over well with the readers.



I used the "fancy phoNETics" for minor characters who had limited dialogue in the story, not for the main characters. Too much can be distracting.

My retelling of Hansel and Gretel used a lot of phonetic spelling, probably too much, though I have yet to receive any negative feedback specifically about it, and it's been a good five years since it was posted. A slightly more cleaned-up version is sold through eXcessica, and still remains one of my most popular.

As for swearing and use of colorful metaphors outside of dialogue, if the story is told in first person, I say go for it. It's told from the point of view of a single speaker, and if that speaker speaks colorfully, it should show through the narrative. Adds more spice to the mix, I think.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

I do this frequently for characters. I've never received a complaint from a reader.

I do this all the time. In the dialog, not as much (but still some) in the narrative.

Doesn't seem to have hurt my stories.

From Gamer Goddess Ch.2 (#1 rated exhib/voy)

"Oh, that's great," I heard from the stairs. "Friggin' Max steals my big entrance scene."

From Charity Begins Next Door (#1 Romance)

"Merry fuckin' Christmas to you too." I teased.

 

[_Lynn_]

My retelling of Hansel and Gretel used a lot of phonetic spelling, probably too much, though I have yet to receive any negative feedback specifically about it, and it's been a good five years since it was posted. A slightly more cleaned-up version is sold through eXcessica, and still remains one of my most popular.

As for swearing and use of colorful metaphors outside of dialogue, if the story is told in first person, I say go for it. It's told from the point of view of a single speaker, and if that speaker speaks colorfully, it should show through the narrative. Adds more spice to the mix, I think.

I remember when I wrote El Paso, in 2007. I posted in the Story Feedback Forum and someone responding said they wouldn't use darlin' . . .

 

[slyc_willie]

I remember when I wrote El Paso, in 2007. I posted in the Story Feedback Forum and someone responding said they wouldn't use darlin' . . .

An obvious master of language, no doubt.

 

[RejectReality]

There's no problem with cursing in the narrative outside the quotes when you're telling a story in first person, either. I do it all the time.

I've never gone heavily phonetic when writing first person, but I will occasionally used the incorrect but more accurate to how it sounds "alright" or "dammit" in narrative if it fits the character telling the story.

They don't seem to cause any issues with the story passing muster.

 

[lovecraft68]

Putting it simply, its called slang.

If people don't understand it, or like it, then they must have no concept of how real people speak.

Things like "Whatcha doin'?" "Where ya goin'" is how many people speak.

 

[King_of_Fulfolk]

Thank you all for your replies, very much appreciated. I've decided to stick with my original plan of slang in speech and swearing in the text. It does seem much more fitting for the characters but I won't be taking it over the top.

 

[PayDay]

I do this frequently for characters. I've never received a complaint from a reader.

Lucky you. I think I just inspire angst