Using Vulgar Language in Modern Literature is a Bad Idea
Currently I'm reading a horror novel written by a master. The atmosphere that he creates is claustrophobic and paranoid and fits the story perfectly. He has a wonderful storytelling ability that makes you care for and identify with the characters.
The only problem? If it wasn't for the "f-word" the book would probably be reduced 10% in length.
Now, I'm no prude, but dropping multiple f-bombs on every page you write is an exercise in bad writing and I'm taking a literary position here, not moral.
When your own work is dripping with vulgarities, three things happen:
- The words lose their shock value, and
- They then become adjectives (and very stupid ones at that)
( Collapse )