{"id":195,"date":"2013-03-10T21:49:26","date_gmt":"2013-03-11T02:49:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/geekgoesrogue\/?p=195"},"modified":"2013-06-21T19:10:17","modified_gmt":"2013-06-22T00:10:17","slug":"dont-step-in-the-sh-er-why-earthy-talk-is-needed-in-fiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/geekgoesrogue\/2013\/03\/dont-step-in-the-sh-er-why-earthy-talk-is-needed-in-fiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Step in the sh–, er, why earthy talk is needed in fiction….."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Much to my chagrin, my Rob Bell mini review got sidetracked by the whole \u201cprofanity\u201d discussion. While I disagree with the rebukes in regard to my language, I realize a good, learned defense on why \u201cearthy\u201d language in fiction is needed. Especially as my upcoming novel, 3 Gates of the Dead, includes characters who actually curse. I\u2019m guessing it will raise more of a furor than my post on Rob Bell. \u00a0To that end, here is why I use earthy language in my novels.<\/p>\n

Be warned, I\u2019m actually going to use said naughty words and not redact them.<\/p>\n

I think some clarity must be brought to the term \u201cprofanity\u201d. In my thinking, profanity refers to using terms like, Hell (a serious subject), God Damn, Jesus Christ, or any other use of God\u2019s name in vain. Or to put it more directly, to use the holy things of God\u2019s name in a flippant, casual or cursing way. I MAY use it in fiction to illustrate the grossness of using those words. Stephen King said it best; a writer has to be honest and portray the world as IT IS, not as he\/she wishes it to be. The facts are people talk this way. Someday, a character will speak this way in my work. This doesn\u2019t mean I condone it, it means I\u2019m holding a mirror to the world. As for my every day life, I really try not to use \u201cprofane\u201d language.<\/p>\n

So what about words like \u201cshit\u201d \u201cbitch\u201d, and the queen mother of dirty words (for some reason), \u201cfuck\u201d.<\/p>\n

Look, I know Christians want to bury their head in the sand and not think people use earthy language. The fact is, they do. As an artist and a writer I feel compelled to have my characters use earthy language. Does that mean I go \u201cStephen King\u201d in my books? No. Of course not. As much as I love King, even I think he goes overboard. On the other hand, I worked in a lumber yard for a summer after college. Let\u2019s just say my semi-virginal Christian ears heard word combinations I never knew existed. Maybe King is on to something.<\/p>\n

People say shit when they\u2019re hurt, surprised, or incredulous. Having grown up in Southern Indiana, my grandpa would tell me, \u201cdon\u2019t step in the shit\u201d when we walked through a field. In small farming towns, it\u2019s a pretty commonly used word. Further, I hear people use it in hipster regions, the suburbs and just about everywhere else I\u2019ve roamed. People use shit. A lot. Then again, it CAN\u00a0\u00a0go too far<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, my characters will use it.<\/p>\n

So, what about fuck? The word is harsh, no question. Sometimes, it\u2019s used as a reference to gratuitous sex or an expression of extreme dismay. I\u2019ve heard people argue this is the worst word you can possibly say. I don\u2019t understand this attitude because it\u2019s not the worst word. (See previous discussion on profane). It\u2019s certainly not polite, and I wouldn\u2019t exactly use it in everyday conversation. However, in fiction it can and should be used in EXTREME situations. It annoys me when fiction of any stripe just casually throws \u00a0in a \u201cfuck\u201d here or there. It\u2019s distracting and shows a lack of creativity.<\/p>\n

My point in all this? A writer who is a Christian has an obligation to tell the truth. The Bible tells the truth. It\u2019s the only \u201cChristian\u201d book that actually does. The Bible doesn\u2019t look away from the utter\u00a0brokenness\u00a0of people. It\u2019s an honest book. Any faithful fiction writer will follow its example to demonstrate honesty, integrity and make a point about our world.<\/p>\n

And yes, sometimes, that means using language some people may not use in their \u00a0everyday life. Discuss below\u2026.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Much to my chagrin, my Rob Bell mini review got sidetracked by the whole \u201cprofanity\u201d discussion. While I disagree with the rebukes in regard to my language, I realize a good, learned defense on why \u201cearthy\u201d language in fiction is needed. Especially as my upcoming novel, 3 Gates of the Dead, includes characters who actually […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1351,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books"],"yoast_head":"\nDon't Step in the sh--, er, why earthy talk is needed in fiction.....<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Much to my chagrin, my Rob Bell mini review got sidetracked by the whole "profanity" discussion. 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