I've recently started writing a book for teenagers - a love story - but one of the characters is very troubled. I think it's in his character to swear and blaspheme, but I'm conflicted about when to use swearing in the book - pepper it in here or there? Or use it more often but not overly, like in real life? Or not at all? I am aware that I am writing for teenagers - somewhere in the 14 - 17 range - and that teenagers do swear and blaspheme daily (not myself but there you have it), but how much is too much in literature?
All answers are much appreciated,
Hamilton :)
Hi guys
Thanks so much for your comments - they're all very helpful and made me think lots about how to use bad language. Edward, I think your advice about not swearing at all was useful. I decided on making one character religious, hence she does not swear, which is a stark contrast to the troubled one. For the troubled character I think that swearing is good although I will use it sparingly, perhaps only when he is at his worst. And Lorraine I think definitely using mannerisms in between will help too! All of your advice has been great! Thanks!
Hami, part of the problem is the age range of your intended audience. What a 17 year-old would read could be a lot more real and robust than what some 14 year-olds would like to see on the page.
There are ways of expressing a troubled personality that could avoid strong language: mannerisms, the way they look at you, physical expressions of dislike (any variation of waving two fingers, for instance). You could have a character saying 'eff off' instead of the actual term. There are ways round it; but if you have one character who is so troubled, and the rest of the cast don't swear, even moderate bad language will stand out and mark him as different, especially combined with a physical malevolence.
The best way to work this out is to write a few chapters in different ways and see which sounds right. It really is a case of trial and error here.
Lorraine
Answer to the problem - don't swear at all. You do not offend anyone then.
If I had friends who swore, they would not be my friends anymore - simple as that. It's the same with writing - aim for the highest, not the lowest.