Pet peeve

[chaps1870]

On the note of swearing and writing in SGA fiction. I know that some writers and readers have issues with swearing. I get that. What I don't get is how some writers can totally ignore the characters speech patterns and personality so that it doesn't offend their sensibilities.  Personally, I cannot see John or Rodney saying something like 'oh gosh, that freaking hurts.'   

John is military and Rodney has been exposed to the military long enough that they swear.  I'm pretty sure, if memory serves, that we have even heard some in various episodes. Mild for the most part but still swearing. 

If a writer cannot make themselves write a swear word that fits the scene then find a better way to express it rather than hiding it behind something less offensive and so ooc.  You can swear in a story, I won't think any less of you. I will think less of you if your writing does not stay true to the characters you are writing.  

We now return to your regular scheduled reading.

Comments

[neevebrody.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. I tend to make both John and Rodney swear a lot in stories. But hopefully it's not gratuitous or 'just there.' I try to make the language fit the situation (sometimes sex - and you know people swear when they're having sex, it happens). Anyway, I think if one of the pair was more prone to swearing it would be John as he is and has been military, and is a guy. It's a guy thing sometimes. I will admit to a secret passion for a swearing Rodney, though. Times of high stress, when he's worried for John, frustrated, or backed into a corner (figuratively and literally) I see that as perfectly in character for McKay.

I'm glad you mentioned about not being offended, because while I don't normally swear a lot in RL, I know how and do on occasion. It's in my writing that I don't 'have' to be me, I'm the character and I'm always for portraying your character as close to canon as possible (your own perceptions included, of course).

[chaps1870.livejournal.com]

See, that's it exactly. Just because a person doesn't swear in RL doesn't mean they can't have a character swear. Having a John or Rodney saying 'oh gosh' is probably more offensive to me than any swearing could be.