On the Prominence of Profanity

"Clerks"

Like many kids, I heard foul language first by adults around me; with the typical paradox that if I did the same, the punishment was harsh and the assumption was that I learned it at school.  Schools that I attended didn’t tolerate the use of ugly words, and for a grade-driven kid like me, not worth the trouble.  (I've heard many good/bad stories about schools today, so I'm not going there).  I began reading novels during my pre-teen years, around eleven or twelve.  Some of the early books I read were bestsellers, like “Jaws,” “M*A*S*H,” and “Catch-22,” which contained a fair amount of profane words.  It’s embarrassing now to reflect as a child I could read something and not really understand it, which led to plenty of forgettable moments when I spouted out colorful words that I had no idea were “ugly.”  Though I cherish the early freedom of reading I was given, it clearly has two sides.

College opened up the rebellious part of me as happens with many students.  Within a couple of weeks my spoken language degenerated into something like the old James Whitmore play “Give ‘em Hell, Harry.”  Obviously, my mother was horrified when hearing me talk on the telephone with my friends when home on break.  But I knew better than to swear to her, or my grandparents, kept my grades up, and later won a scholarship, so potty-mouth and all, I made it through.  (I never said I was a classy student).

Years and maturity fortunately gave me restraint of public bad-mouth rants, keeping them in the privacy of my home or car for catharsis after a bad day with only occasional bad behavior my husband frowns at. 

I was reading a recent review of the series “Game of Thrones” with a reference to George R. R. Martin’s books that I reviewed last year, and mention was given to the profanity (and the sexual material) in the books and the show, and that it didn’t add anything to the story.  As I think about it, I agree, and it's an excellent epic.  As an adult, I don’t think much about it as I read it, but I don’t recommend it for kids. 

For writers, what role does profanity play in our stories?  My books have some profane words that help define “profane” characters.  Other writers I’ve seen have characters use profanity because it makes the dialogue sound real, meaning, if a character is on a helicopter in a gunfight, then some raw words may erupt in the moment.  But does profanity make or break a story?  I doubt that.  It does limit the genre, and it’s understandable to me that parents are concerned about what their kids read.  Like anything else in a novel, there’s no scale to weigh the integrity; there’s only reader preferences. 

I’ll continue to keep respectful restraint of words inappropriate for polite society.  If I had kids in my house, I’d want to set an example better than what I was in college.  Authors, write what you think is appropriate; many bestsellers have plenty of profanity and many do not.  The readers always decide. 

On Alternative Creative Challenges

As we new authors face the many challenges of creating our work and obtaining readers, when I think of others seeking creative outlets through other means, I don’t believe any of us have an easy journey.  While I don’t know as many artists and sculptors as I’d like, I have featured the upcoming rock band “Ernie’s Denial” a couple of times, and am featuring an update today. 

For the easily offended, I’ll make note early of the word “Bitch” in the Dave Grohl cover song, but considering the hardships of this industry, it seemed to fit.  Think about it:  though music can be recorded anywhere, (bathrooms, etc) distribution is still a major challenge, and it’s practice, practice, practice for those guys in garages, in the woods, in basements; anywhere they can plug in an amp and not get arrested for disturbing the peace.  I’ve yet to see a “Behind the Music” where a music group didn’t pay their dues somewhere getting started.  (and I can’t think about the Lynard Skynard one, I recall that plane crash, it’s devastating).  And to work and work for that record deal; that's got to be difficult. 

I’m not suggesting that writers need not practice.  But at least we can stay in the quiet and usually not write the same sentence over and over again like a musician practices instruments.  Everyone’s got challenges.  And for these guys, they keep going.  I say good for them.  These guys are for upbeat original lyrics (this is a cover song I happen to be posting), anti-bullying, and last but not least all for good times and rock ‘n roll!

 

How about an update, fellas?

Practicing our new songs and practicing them well enough so that we can record them really well. They're different from our first set. Very different. That's how it is. We go with our musical mood and these songs have a different mood. Different color. And they have a different color from each other. In this new set. We're very eager to record them and get them out. Of course time, which is the most important factor, is sometimes not on our side. Fer works during the weekends and I can't afford to spend on a studio. Our circumstances are challenging but just like in our song "Pick Up The Pieces", I enjoy the challenge. Meanwhile, you can get a laugh at our jam sessions www.youtube.com/ErniesDenial. We're here and we're not going away. We love Y'All and we love you C.c. Cole. - Joe

I have to hand it to anyone trying to make it in the music industry, gotta admire their perseverance.  Keep on rocking guys!

On Dreams, Women, and Betty Dravis

As a member of the FB writers’ group Author Central, I virtually met Betty Dravis along the way a few months ago.  When groups contain hundreds of authors, as a newbie I tend to sideline and try to learn from the pros and do what I can to support and learn from my writer colleagues. 

One day I got a message from Betty telling me she would get around to reviewing my books, but was very busy.  Certainly I was grateful, and taken aback a bit because I didn’t think she knew I was around.  Like I do with all reviewers, I sent her kindle copies of my books.  With her book promotion of her own “Star Struck” I downloaded and gobbled it down it short order.  After that, I decided that one Betty book wasn’t enough; I downloaded “1106 Grand Boulevard.”  Reviews are below.

 

Review of “Star Struck:  Interviews with Dirty Harry and other Hollywood Icons” by Betty Dravis

 

“Star Struck” is a fun read by ace author Betty Dravis that to me tells the events in her life as she experienced it.  Most of us do not meet and interview famous people; therefore beyond film preferences or politics, such a meeting is aptly described as “Star Struck.”  Betty does not describe these individuals as better than anyone else, it’s the meeting and talking with them on a conversational level brings home part of how these people became famous in the first place.  From Mr. Clint Eastwood, to Senator Kennedy to Jane Russell, this is a great look at the famous from a non-tabloid viewpoint that I found refreshing.  Five Stars!

Review of “1106 Grand Boulevard” by Betty Dravis

 

“1106 Grand Boulevard” by Betty Dravis is a biographical account of Billie Jean, a lovely girl married young during the Depression, and the reader travels her life with her, as she experiences early domestic violence, loss, family support, and a trail of heartbreak and broken hearts, while at the same time a hearty dose of laughter.  Billie Jean isn’t perfect and doesn’t pretend to be, and like many of us, it takes a lifetime of experiences to figure out what she really wants in life; but that’s the message; the journey is what life is all about.  This is a wonderful read with almost every issue especially important to women:  Marriage, children, divorce, independence, domestic disturbances, and forgiveness fully addressed leaving the reader with a smile.  Five Stars!

 

Women’s issues do not eclipse men’s issues, but the emphasis regarding books and films tends to be different.  Not that it’s all exclusive; I’ve known several men that secretly (very secretly) voice a liking to Lifetime films, and I like Tom Clancy and “Fight Club.”  But women are often mothers, and as mothers, they love their children and the fathers of their children play a great part of the lives of many women, be it for better or for worse.  Also, with my sister’s death due to domestic violence as my springboard to my writing journey, that’s an important topic to me personally.  As an admirer of many genres, Women’s Literature, fiction or non-fiction, remains a standby favorite to read, though it’s not a genre that I write.  While I don’t consider myself an oracle of any type, I don’t see Women’s Literature leaving the publishing industry anytime soon.

 

One does not need to spend much time on amazon to find Betty Dravis, who has reviewed well over seven hundred books!  (With me at now forty-nine, I doubt I’ll catch her).  Not only has she shared her experiences and has reached out to many new authors, she knows somewhere along the line, everyone that has a dream needs someone to push them a notch forward.  That’s what Betty does; she doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone as an accomplished journalist and writer.  This is her way of giving something back, she’s giving we new authors a chance at our dream, and may her many days be blessed.

On Non-Human Characters

"Smallville"

As I continue to ponder about every aspect of writing except punctuation, my previous article on supporting characters moved me on to thinking about non-human characters.  As a Dark Fantasy writer and reader, these characters are the favorites of many readers, from paranormal vampire romance to comic books to horror novels to fairy tales, and to my genre, medieval dark fantasy.

Why are these characters so important in our genre fictional stories?  It depends on how the writer chooses to use them and like supporting characters, almost “anything goes” with non-human characters.  They can be main or supporting, protagonist, antagonist, or neutral (neutral characters to me are the biggest challenge to write).  But whatever their place is, the same standard goes along with human characters; beauty, compassion, and loyalty seen often in protagonist and less attractive, sometimes amoral antagonists, with a pretty one pitched in to keep things interesting. 

Good vs. evil is a concept that stands very powerful in our minds; therefore, when we add either superhuman or non-humans to our world we enhance the concept to drive the message home.  Usually non-human characters in many stories still have human traits, and having them blend in as a greater power makes them all the more interesting, because the reader may/may not know a great secret the other characters don’t know.  But not all non-human characters need be powerful; sometimes they carry great wisdom and serve as a mentor.

For anyone that’s read my novellas, it’s obvious that I’m comfortable in my non-human character zone.  Shevata isn’t human but is working on it, and the characters surrounding her are not human; thereby making a difficult barrier if she is to put her weapons away forever and become a loving housewife and mother.  For her, it will take a while.  After she’s done with the numerous non-human characters.

On the Other Characters

Erika in "Underworld"

Some of my early critiques of my novellas were about my supporting characters; that they didn’t stand out enough as individuals and didn’t have enough to do.  I don’t argue with this; my stories are not epics; therefore, the cast of developed characters is tight.  But what is the function of supporting characters?

Supporting characters, by definition “support” the main character, to state the obvious.  Sometimes supporting characters steal the show, especially in films.  Often we see someone in stories to be “the girl” or “the wife” or “the family” of the main character.  These characters help ground the main character and make he/she more believable, especially, but not limited to mainstream literary works, such as murder mysteries or legal thrillers.  The classic cliché is the potential endangerment of the beloved family, thus challenging the protagonist to his/her fullest potential, risking it all for those loved most.

But supporting characters do not have to be sidekicks, assistants, or comic reliefs to main characters.  I like supporting characters that tilt the story one way or another.  In good writing, to take a character with a small part do a big deed that turns the whole story to me is bigger than the main character carrying the entire load.  Another way to put it is to have the supporting character be the “wild card” whose actions affect the actions of the main character.  These smaller roles may/may not be protagonists either, many may have plans of his/her own and “help” the main character for selfish/noble means.

I do get concerned with the number of characters, and take note when reviewers state confusion that I may have too many of them.  After reading George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” my worries of too many characters are long passed, but it’s true that every character does need to serve a purpose in the story regardless of brevity.  While I believe the rule stands about the audience must lock into the main character on some level, the supporting characters, when used well, make a huge difference with a small part.  Now go forth, new authors, write something awesome with great supporting characters, and tweet us about it.

Review of GOTU: A Robin Marlette Novel by Mike McNeff

GOTU: A Robin Marlette Novel” is about local law enforcement sergeant Robin Marlette, unwavering in his devotion to crime fighting, devotion to his group, and devotion to his family.  His fearless approach to taking out the drug trade leads to a cascade of events that lead to the endangerment of his family requiring rescue and risk above and beyond the rule of law; the rule of love and friendship.   The action rarely stops for a few adult level scenes and some developmental dialogue, making the novel an entertaining and fast read.  While the book contains a fair number of clichés, it’s not to the point that makes the story predictable; instead it adds to the story by creating an almost perfect heavy action crime drama.  Great work, five stars!

On Strong Genders

"Hercules"

"Eowyn"

Dark Fantasy stories often feature a protagonist or antagonist of significant strength.  When this happens, the character is often counter-weighted by a weaker character, at least in the physical sense. The one that needs protection brings out the strength and soft spot of the stronger characters. 

Many stories contain strong male and female lead and/or supporting characters, but can both genders both serve as leads?  I haven’t seen that often, especially in mainstream novels like legal thrillers or murder mysteries.  While it makes an interesting story to have a strong male protagonist and a strong female antagonist and vice-versa, can it be done and still keep the characters truly equal?  Perhaps a better question is can it be done and the characters are equal in strength, that doesn’t necessarily mean physical strength? 

We know biology.  And while we females can complain about the lack of strong female characters in stories and films (at least this female does), it’s difficult to ignore the fact that men are physically bigger and stronger.  And from a completely female-sexist viewpoint, such males aren’t so bad to look at.  While I don’t have a problem with strength in male characters, it is a cliché tried and true.

How about strong females?  To me, there’s a bit more room for extrapolation due to fewer clichés and a variety of ways to make a female “strong.”  The same could be applied to male characters, but for females, unless you’re writing a “manly woman” (Xena the warrior princess) there needs to be something the female has to give her an advantage; special abilities, as I do with Shevata, special intelligence (so not Shevata), and/or a surprise element, showing the reader that a woman is every bit as capable of bravery as any man.

Can a woman be tougher than a man and both are protagonists?  I think so, and so do my readers.  With my recent review of “The Hunger Games” I think it’s been pointed out in bestsellers.  Though I get some criticism for not developing my male characters more, the Gastar novellas are tight, action stories about a single character whose actions are inspired by the supporting characters around her.  My mom tells me Shevata always has a male sidekick.  Perhaps she’s right; a little backward spin off old “Dr. Who” episodes with an attractive female accomplice isn’t so bad.  I agree with Suzanne Collins on that particular point.