The ICK! Factor Words–#MFRWAuthor Blog Challenge and Hop
A Writer’s Building Blocks
Words are the bricks and mortar of an author’s craft, so in that sense, no word is completely verboten or off limits. You might need that off-color brick to highlight your design, like a well-chosen epithet from the mouth of an angry character or a villain.
I’m for the freedom of authors to use any icky word needed to get the story right. But, author beware–your readers will have opinions about your word choices!
Words that make me go “ick!”
Here’s my lightning round of words I have opinions about:
chick
When applied to a woman. I know, I know, it’s so benign, but I developed an aversion to this word many years ago in college when my feminist sensitivities were a lot more sensitive than they are now.
c*nt
No, that’s not an “a” missing. “Can’t” is a word I’m not fond of, but it’s not fingernails on the chalkboard like this starred one. Such an ugly word, whether used for anatomy or as an insult.
And f*ck
when used as an all-purpose, universal modifier, for “song” lyrics, or when it comes out of the mouth of one’s son or daughter of any age. F-bombs have their purposes but should be thrown judiciously.
Hop along with my fellow MFRW authors and see what words annoy them!
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Image: Alexander Baranov via Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Totally agree with you! I use the ‘C’ word in my work ONLY sparingly! The ‘F’ one….I’ve had a couple of characters who love that word, but you’ll only hear it come out of my mouth if I’m hopping mad!
I’m totally for the freedom to use whatever words are appropriate for the story and the character!
Alina, it’s a good thing you don’t write erotic romance! I had to make peace with those asterisked words when I did.
You’re probably right! My hero would never call the heroine a c*nt.
Language prohibitions are funny things. Growing up in a working class neighborhood, I learned all the dirty words early in life, and back then there were largely the property of the working class. When I married the middle class love of my life, I unlearned them. A couple of my sons are now upper-middle class, and they wonder why I swear so little! What goes around comes around, I guess. My MFRW.
Gosh, yes, foul language is so prevalent at all levels of society!
You don’t like chick but how do you feel about calling a person Chook? In no way derogatory btw. Hey Chook. Thanks Chook. It’s Aussie slang.
That’s a new word to me. I’m good with it!
I’m with you on the C-word!
Yep!