This post is about something that's been on my mind for a while. It's about more than just bad language. In my opinion it's more about bad behavior. In real life I have a potty mouth. However, I know when it is and is not appropriate to "let it all hang out." For example, most people wouldn't drop the f-bomb while visiting their dear old 75 year old aunt. It's just not polite. So, why would you speak to fellow authors like dirty hookers during a chat? Beats the hell out of me.
It amazes me how many people think it's okay to use raunchy language when they speak (or write) to me just because I write erotic romance. Sure, I have no problems writing those naughty words, or reading them to my writing partner, or even saying them to a friend. But when I show up for a chat, or booksigning, etc., I am a professional. That doesn't mean I'm suddenly dried up and boring. It means I know when to discuss the hero's package and when to use milder language so I don't look/sound like trash in public.
Writers are part of the entertainment industry, no doubt about it. We may not have our faces on billboards but we are public figures nonetheless. To me (as a reader) if I showed up for a chat and my favorite author was using language best suited for a porno I'd be very put-off. No matter how salascious her novels might be, I'd expect HER to be professional. Like I said, that doesn't mean boring. It means being polite and still fun.
It also (as an author) is very off-putting to show up for a chat and find the other authors are too busy trying to carry on a raunchy conversation with each other to actually discuss their books. Or worse yet, interrupt you trying to discuss your books with their same raunchy conversation. Repeatedly. It's so far beyond rude I don't think there is a word to describe it.
I do use bad language in real life and anyone who knows me is used to it. That doesn't mean I think it's okay to walk up to a fellow author (or favorite author) and say, "Hey, I loved the cock on page 69!"
7 comments:
Excellent point, Tracey! Please, let's be professional!
Thanks, Cindy:) It's so nice to know that someone understands where I'm coming from.
I think this goes for social media as well. I very rarely use off color language online and then it's something that would pass network standards. I believe in free speech but I've deleted pictures and posts from my facebook page I wouldn't want my Granny seeing or reading. :-)
Same here, Debra:) I've had people post the f-word on my facebook page before and I think that's so rude. Yes, I do use the word, but not to people who don't know me and rarely in public. Unfortunately, I've got people who read my posts just for gossip material. lol
I think I've bleeped it out once or twice like f*** or something like that if I had a very strong point to make. But I did it on MY page and not someone else's.
Tracy, I'm with you. My characters use raunchy language (but not when they're around their 75-year-old aunts, LOL). I've been known to swear like a sailor on occasion, too, among close friends. I don't, however, drop F-bombs on social networks--and I find it offensive when others do. There's a time and a place... Facebook and Twitter are not among them!
The incident that really bothered me happened during a scheduled chat. It was pretty bad. If I was a reader logging on it would have turned me off to the whole company.
I just hate that it happened during MY chat. Needless to say, I was not the one who did this:)
I once had an individual who used bad language on a chat. I posted a request to clean up the language or find another chat to attend. After that, everyone cleaned it up.
I believe you have a perfect right to point out when something is offensive. Such a request can be polite, but firm. And if any individual finds that too difficult, perhaps they need to move along to some other chat.
My 2 cents...
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