Muttered Curse (3 of 90)

I just realized I never posted yesterday. So I guess I'll post twice today to make up for it? Does this even work like that? I'm not sure, but it's going to now.

I'm Sorry I Forgot:

I just entitled this post "Shit" after the moment when I realized I hadn't posted. I don't think I'm supposed to use curse words in my writing anymore. Or at least that's what Brad says. But at the same time, Barb says go ahead as long as its for a reason.

But of course, both believe that there are better ways to express what characters are thinking without resorting to the cheap curse filled cop-out. Let's explore how this would work out in this situation, shall we?

The buildup: I'm just sitting in bed wondering how I should spend my Valentines Day. I don't know why I'm bothering to think about this. It all comes down to: find someone to hang out with or chill in my room hiding from view. As I'm checking various websites I come to the startling realization... I forgot to blog yesterday.

The situation: Now my natural reaction to this startling realization was to curse under my breath (the word happened to be 'shit' this time around) and scramble back to my blogger. In a fiction piece, I think I could manage to convey the feelings without ever cursing. It would take a lot more words than a simple 'shit' would need, but it could be done. Same for a magazine article I suppose.

The conclusion: I think 'shit' is appropriate here. It's short and sweet. Like the moment that birthed it. It's simplicity. For the character (me in this case) it's a natural reaction. A simple uttering that is forgotten the moment it's said.

Then again, maybe that's why it's not needed? Maybe that's why I'm supposed to gloss over curse words? Because they're unnecessary? Because the character has long forgotten about the uttering? Why name it if the character doesn't even remember what was said. The phrase 'a muttered curse' would do just as fine. Who needs to know what the word was if the character herself cannot recall it.

Touche, Brad and Barb. Touche.

I'll go change my title now.

Quote of the Day:

"One of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish had been left unsaid. "

-Jonathan Swift