emily marie ₊°｡❆ (Jesus is King) [♡ my bf's vrs ♡]’s Reviews > Alpha/Beta Read > Status Update

We love Cuba 😂

f_reads wrote: "We love Cuba 😂"

He's so freaky 😭

I don't even know where half his comments come from. He's one of those characters that wrote himself

Okay so I need a second opinion. In my christian novel Black Ice, I’m considering putting in a few cuss words. Not because I like them or cuss myself, but I think it would add to the story especially since they come from my main character who is an atheist (who becomes a christian). The only two words i’m considering are hell and maybe d@mned (but in a more biblical context). It would only happen 2-3 times in the whole of the book. The only reason I want to add it is I want it to be accurate. Yes some non-christian’s don’t swear, but for Dawson cussing is a knee-jerk reaction. No actual vulgar or strong words would be on page only things like “he cussed” or “spitting out an expletive” would be said.

All that being said, do you think it would turn away christian readers? I don’t want people to be turned away, and I don’t want to make christian’s uncomfortable, but this book is uncomfortable in a whole because it’s talking about the hard things anyway. But I also don’t want to just put it in just bc I can, yk? It’s there to serve a purpose. Dawson’s a very lost person. He cusses. It’s not a “bad thing” in his world and I don’t want to just make him squeaky clean because it’s a christian novel. I want it to feel authentic. But I also don’t want to have it in if it makes the book feel less christian, dirty, or whatever. So I’m sort of stuck bc I know several of my christian friends would be out off by a swear word, especially written by me who hates vulgar, thoughtless cussing. Sorry for the rant on your post, but I needed a second opinion and I trust your take on these things.

@Finch

For me, personally, I wouldn't mind it in the slightest and actually would appreciate the authenticity mixed with the reality of his situation. Now, it varies from reader to reader and some Christian readers might be very much against it, but I think the majority of them wouldn't mind a hell and a damn a few times. I've certainly read some Christian books that have some cuss words

I even did that myself in Grimalka. Calliope uses the word bastard as an insult in a very angry manner toward the end, but I myself would never say that. But for her character and the fact that explicit language isn't a dealbreaker for her, she would naturally say something a little rough in that situation. I also use damned and damning a few times in the context of like going to hell or your doomed to hell. I also think Calliope says "what the hell" once but I'd have to go back and look

Just know you can't please every reader, but I'd say for the audience of this book, a hell and a damn once or twice wouldn't be an issue. If you can't handle a few minor swears I don't think you'd be able to handle a suicidal character, you know? If you seek out the right audience, it shouldn't be an issue. Though I would be wary in having him take the Lord's name in vain as I think that's a different issue and can most certainly be a nonnegotiable for some people

I'll have Calliope say one or two unpleasant words, but I was very careful to not have her say "Oh my God" or "God" in an exasperated manner. It was always gosh because I don't want any blasphemy in my book. I'm using the same mentality with my literary fiction series too, which is also a coming-to-Christ story that's a little similar to Black Ice in terms of themes

Does that make sense? I feel like I rambled but I can see where you're coming from and it makes sense with the story your writing. Now, if it was a coming-to-Christ story but in a fluffy, romance-y type setting, it'd be kinda different and it'd feel out of place. But Black Ice sounds like a very gritty, uncomfortable read, where a few cusses once or twice would fit like puzzle pieces. Just go with the motto that just because you write it doesn't mean you support it. You're writing a suicidal character, that doesn't mean you support suicide. Same with cussing

That's my two cents, others might have different opinions, but that's mine. i really hope this helps!!! And it's okay I like it when people come with rants and advice on my posts!!! Reach out any time you need to!

Thank you! I totally agree with everything you said and found it very helpful. I definitely am with you about how minor swears don’t bother me if they’re there for deepening the story. I know not all my readers will like it, it’s just the bummer is the people who will be reading it (as in my family, and many church friends) are all very much against swearing and so I don’t want them to be upset that it’s in there. I play to have a disclaimer at the front of the book with the content warnings though, and they’ll all know what they’re getting into. I just hope that the light outweighs the dark.

@Finch you weren’t talking to me… at all… in the slightest. Heh. 😅 But from a reader’s perspective, I think you’d be totally fine doing that. Especially because the Bible, actually never says not to say those words. The only thing it says is not to take the Lord’s name in vane. I wouldn’t ever say curse words because I think they’re useless, BUT non Christian’s wouldn’t know any better, so if your character is not a Christian what would be stopping him? Alright I’m shutting up now 🙈

@Katniss no I agree! The bible does say let no foul or unwholesome talk come out of your mouth (cussing) but yeah since he’s a non christian there wouldn’t be anything stopping him. His coach and some of his buddies are christian’s and don’t appreciate cussing, so he tries his best to not do it around them but yeah. Thank you tho! It’s always good to have it from multiple perspectivesb

@finch you're welcome!!! And I think my parents will be a little shocked by the "bastard" in the end, but they can't really say anything cuz they still cuss sometimes 😂 I mean my dad will catch himself, he'll go "sh*t" then go "oops, sorry, I mean crap" and it's honestly funny

And that's great! I plan to do that with Grimalka as well. I'm interested to see where you go with Black Ice because it's very intriguing and I want to learn more about Dawson and the team

Also, i posted a section of chapter one in the author group if you want to see. It's much different than the chapter one you read and want to know if you see improvement in fallon's character. Though most of the "quirky" parts are later in the chapter when he's with his family. If you have time, that is lol, I know you're really busy

I’d love to check it out!! It may be a minute bc I’m busy but I’ll be sure to take a peep!

I love that! 😂 Can't wait to read it! 🤭