the_stand

I have started a short story written in the first person. Occasionally my characters language can be quite colourful - as a newbie to both writing and this forum can anyone tell me the etiquette?

Should I censor before I post / does the forum automatically censor / does anyone care?

Opinions greatfully recieved,

Steve.

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dwellerofthedeep

I'd say this forum leans towards nobody cares judging by some of the stories I've read.

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kalibantre

Put a discalimer at the top of the piece or in the title. That way those that don't want to read it dont have to.

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~kitty

the_stand

Great - that's what I thought (freedom of speech etc..!)

Just being polite.

Now, where did I put that f***ing short story I wanted to post?

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strangedaze

i love good profanity. go to town, my friend. a disclaimer might be proper, though.

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His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.

Otto Ray Sing

I agree with the disclaimer. I wish the publishing companies would offer some sort of disclaimers on the books that they sell. Those who aren't offended could ignore it and enjoy the books, but those of us who are offended could simply pass it by. Use the disclaimer. Share your stories, and anybody who reads it and finds it offensive is then the one with the problem. They were warned in advance.

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FrankBlissett

A good way of doing the disclaimer is to include

(x-rated)
-- R rated
, pg-13

Or something to that effect in the title. If you feel you need more, a brief sentence at the start of the post would suffice.

-Frank

A_MacLaren

I don't think you can get an 'x' rating from profanity alone. Doesn't double-pentration have to be included somewhere?

TheReMonstor

I think profanity can convey weak writing and even immaturity. I can understand if it fits the character, but curse word after curse word is more often than not, of little use other than shock value. You've really got to nail a character who's cursing a lot, like The Dude or Walter in The Big Lebowski. It's so natural for them and so well written you don't even hear it after awhile. Cursing is very touchy and it can either ruin your writing completely or make for a great character.

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Spook

Going off of ReMon up there, that has a direct influence on the number of crits you'll recieve. I don't know about the other forums, but if you post it in fiction, excessive profanity will yield you few reults. People just don't read it unless it's done well, so good luck.

~Spook

Avarice

nah keep all the fuckin profanity. its fuckin needed innit?

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Markovich

I'm not offended by profanity, I just see it as unimaginative. It's a cheap way to produce shock.

strangedaze

Bah. If someone is articulate in their use of profanity, then I'm all for it. It's a literary device like anything else. I agree that it can fuck you over or enhance your piece, depending on the skill with which it is weilded. As an aside, The_Stand has something going on in the short story section that I think fits that description. Check it out.

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His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.

Markovich

I read his story. It's pretty ok, the language is forceful and in an active voice, but I suppose for me personally, I'd rather not read a lot of vernacularisms or whatever. Maybe I'm just old school, but I like to distinguish between written and spoken English. In written English we can say things that we just can't speak without sounding a little queer. That's sort of what makes it fun for me to read or write.

Also again, personally, it reminds me a little to much of the first story I tried to write as a teenager. I tightened the reins, and now somehow I feel freer.