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

[ladyflowdi.livejournal.com]

Personally, I love it when John and Rodney curse. They're forty year old men, both of whom have been in the military machine for 20+ years: I'd call foul if they *didn't* curse. Sometimes I wish they would so more regularly.

I agree with some other posters here, too: Rodney definitely curses more than John does. No where in canon can I possibly imagine him saying "gosh, that freaking hurts", unless he was standing in front of his niece, and possibly not even then.

[chaps1870.livejournal.com]

Nope, not even then. More like biting his tongue and turning red to stop himself.

I can imagine Rodney cursing up a storm in front of his scientists. I would think he could be rather inventive about it too. LOL