I have a story I plan to submit to the Writers of the Future contest that I worry may be too racy for them. There is no sex but some innuendo. Some strong language as well. Such as
"F****** fat pig!"
I also use the term b***h, and use ass to describe someones backside. Will this disqualify me? I am going to start the rewrite soon. I am resisting changing these parts because I worry it will soften my MC's character. Any one with insight to this?
Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :
WOTF might not be the best choice for that story. They don't like the bad language.
Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
I'm afraid that would in all likelihood disqualify the story. The contest is very clear that they are targeting audiences as young as teenagers. WOTF now has a forum and has recently had Kathy Wentworth (the coordinating judge and the one who would disqualify it) posting and answering questions. One of those questions (I believe) referred to this very issue and might be worth checking out. To visit the forum, go to the following link
Even if it is too much for the contest, don't give up on your story, just submit it somewhere else, and write something different for the contest. That's my advice anyway. WOTF is a great market, but not the only one.
Good luck with the contest and your story!
[This message has been edited by luapc (edited February 03, 2008).]
[This message has been edited by luapc (edited February 03, 2008).]
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Can you rewrite to exclude the sensitive words? I don't mean substituting some "gosh-darn-friggin'-whatever" bit, I mean rewrite so you don't have a need for the words.
Then you can decide which one works better for you, and then decide where to go from there...
Posted by KStar (Member # 4968) on :
I was reading a story out of WOTF last weekend where the author used the term "reefer whore", so I'm sure if it's not just vulgar for no reason, then you should submit it.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
The F word I could axe but not the B with the itch. What about the innuendo? There is no sex but implied forceful flirting. Face it, my MC is a slut. Would that disqualify it?
Posted by JasonVaughn (Member # 4358) on :
I wouldn't let the fact that the target audience is teenagers put you off. 'B*st*rd' and 'b*tch' were both used in the last Harry Potter book along with a few other swear words. And wasn't the target audience for that supposed to be even younger. Even in family films nowadays you hear some of the less offensive swear words.
[This message has been edited by JasonVaughn (edited February 06, 2008).]
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, to take the risk of this degenerating into another Harry Potter discussion, the way I heard it was that Rowling gradually moved the intended age-group of the books up as she went along...as the books grew thicker, the readers were expected to be more mature, and accept things accordingly. (Still haven't read them.)
From personal experience, I know I must have learned these words sometime before the age of ten---but I cannot remember a time when I did not know them. The first time I remember them making much of an impression on me was when I was eleven, when a fellow kid in school took to singing a little song that used most of these words. In a soft voice, where he and we wouldn't be overheard. But I remember these songs to this day, thank you, Hugh.