Hell-bent on profanity? Think twice when writing for public consumption.

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This post might step on some toes, so put on your steel-toed boots. Pour a cup of coffee, too, because my tirade will take a while.

    

    Several years ago, I volunteered to lead a chapter of a statewide writers' club, and soon after calling the first meeting to order, I requested that profanity (and politics) be left at the door. The members would have the freedom to write whatever they wanted to, but when we were seated around the tables for readings and discussions, offensive words (and political rants) would not be acceptable.

    I had no idea how the members would respond to my request, and I had not discussed it with anyone in the group, but I did run it by my better half, and he said, "Fine." After making my wishes known to the group via email, I prepared to be fired, which would have been okay. After all, I volunteered.

    In a surprising twist, however, no one voiced opposition; no hate mail landed in my inbox; no petitions circulated to oust me (that I know of); and no one gave me a hard time, which I found remarkable. The non-reaction speaks to the caliber of individuals in the group, although I wondered if some were whispering about the eccentric new president and her weird policy.

    Throughout my three years of leadership, no problems arose from their words being stifled. Their compliance is much appreciated, and today, I would like to expound on the reasoning behind the madness.

    It's as simple as this: I wanted everyone to feel at ease, and I did not want me, or anyone else, grimacing at a profanity-laced reading. I will be honest. I don't like ugly words. I will also, in full disclosure, admit that I probably said one or two, at some time in my life, before Anger and I parted ways.

    Let me also make a distinction: There is profanity, and then, there is profanity.

    One especially profane word (begins with f) has become extremely popular. I hear it and see it, despite taking every precaution not to. This word has become prevalent in speech, in print, and even on television and radio, where bleeps are almost laughable, because we know what was said. This word is offensive to many, and I lament for everyone who would like to see it banished from social media feeds, air waves, and especially books.

    I acknowledge that authors sometimes use vivid and shocking dialogue to bring characters to life in a novel, and I understand that profanity is a tool for portraying a character's personality or background, but as a reader, I enjoy books that are free of the f-word. Even so, the most cautious and scrupulous readers can be hit with the unsavory word where they least expect to find it.

    In a stack of books on my desk is The best punctuation book, period., by June Casagrande. She includes the f-word in an appendix, as if it deserves respect and appropriate usage. Ms. Casagrande, in all her grandeur, displays poor judgement in her choice of words.

    Author Susan Cain in Bittersweet guides her readers toward managing their grief, but she caused this reader even more grief by using the f-bomb in her book. I question her professionalism and Ms. Casagrande's as well.

    As we all know, words can make or break an author.

    On a recent library visit, I filled my tote bag with several books, including Dusk Night Dawn, by Anne Lamott. The first few pages filled me with delight, which soon deflated because of her frequent, annoying use of s##t. I don't know if she used any other unattractive words or not, for I bailed out long before the last page. In my opinion, Ms. Lamott took a perfect opportunity to write a beautiful book and threw it out the window.

    Several  times, I ventured into Substack to read other newsletters and comments, only to collide head-on with the f-word. I even began reading a newsletter described as faith based and found language not related to any faith I am familiar with. This scene has played out time and time again, and the list goes on and on, of authors pleasing a few while offending a few million. The same goes for politicians and city officials who shout f-words into microphones like fifteen-year-olds trying to impress their adolescent friends. They forget that most of their constituents are not amused or impressed by obscenities.

    British author Joanna Penn talks on a podcast about hearing a lot of flak over profanities in her first book. She admits that now, even though she swears in private, she never swears in print, because doing so "can make readers disappear and never come back." Her guest on the same podcast, Steve Brock, agrees that even the most loyal fans can beel betrayed by authors, and that writers should be true to themselves but also be sensitive to their readers. (By the way, Penn blames American readers for the policing of profanity, while she claims we are not at all bothered by violence.)

    Ugly words are not essential for making a point or being expressive. There are millions of words to choose from, but if no word will suffice other than an ugly one, authors can substitute symbols for letters (known as the grawlix), as I did above. And public figures with microphones should use more self-control and be good examples of humanity instead of bad ones.

    I close by saying that everyone has their quirks, and inappropriate language is one of mine. Some words are better left unsaid and unprinted. I appreciate my writers' group playing along with my policy, even though it might have seemed silly to some of them. To their credit, they were respectful, and in hindsight, my request might not have been necessary for such a group of upstanding and thoughtful individuals. The residents of Substack and other social places should be as considerate, and authors should respect that everyone is not riding on the profanity bandwagon.

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