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Explicit Language in blogs

  1. shesthinking
    Member

    I'd like some opinions on this. I swear like a sailor and honestly, it's as natural as saying the word "it" sometimes. My blog is to showcase *my* thoughts and I really can't do that without swearing, there's just no replacement, "non-swear words" don't usually fit the situation. I know there are some people who are turned off by that, some don't mind, some would like to say if you swear then you lack the vocabulary to be a good writer. I disagree....

    So would like to know what all of you think. Do you personally mind swearing? Would you censor your "personal" blog to better others? Or would you keep it as is and hope to attract like-minded individuals?

  2. cheering4u
    Member

    i curse. a lot. why should i not curse on MY blog, when i do it daily? the point of a blog is to state your thoughts, and i feel that censoring them for the few nitpicky readers out there just feels like lying, in my mind. and as for the 'lacking in vocabulary', that's just bs. people have commented on my writing ability multiple times, and, as stated earlier, i curse more then anyone in my familia. if poeple don't like the fact that the words fuck or shit happen to grace their poor, fragile eyes, it's their own fault. I have a very easy to see warning on my blog, about how idc if my blog offends, so if they choose to ignore it, oh well.

  3. lettershometoyou
    Member

    It gets to be a bore to read after a while, f-ing this and f-ing that. It's like watching a movie that's just a streak of violence without much of a story. Less is more.

  4. timethief
    Member

    I agree with lettershomeoyou. When it comes to cursing - less is more. The occasional use of swear words doesn't deter me from reading a blog. But if the blogger publishes posts typified by a continuous flow f-this and f-that, I click out never to return again.

  5. shesthinking
    Member

    I drop f-bombs alot. It's just that natural to me. I could see where it would get annoying but I guess it's all in the context.... like- what comedian would be funny without sincere f-bombs? LOL.

  6. willowbatel
    Member

    LMAO I had that EXACT discussion in class last year! My friend didn’t think you needed to swear to be funny, but all the funniest jokes have a swear word or two. I try to stay away from swear words (just because it isn’t very classy to do often on a blog) but I don’t really mind reading it on other people’s blogs if they’re funny.

  7. timethief
    Member

    IMHO the best way to present and promote your blog to the largest possible audience is to avoid the use of profanity, especially the excessive overuse of the same. It seems to me that if you use profanity throughout your posts as a means of articulating your position on issues or whatever it is that you have to say, then continually swearing like adolescents do will guarantee that you will only attract and hold the attention of a minority of like minded readers.

  8. pornstarbabylon
    Member

    I had to stop my cursing when people complained even though you would expect that kind of language on the type of blog I have. I was like you're joking.

  9. shesthinking
    Member

    I guess it all depends on the audience you are trying to reach. I am actually hoping to draw attention from those who don't mind. IMO- it's a breath of fresh air to hear someone sound human. If I wanted censorship I would read the other millions of blogs out there from people who don't use explicit language. Look at The Onion, for example. One of the reasons they are as popular as they are is because they have no reserve..... they just say whatever they want lol. I dunno I wouldn't stop cursing. I tried that in the first blog I had and was so unhappy with it I just stopped posting. I enjoy being able to give my perspective on things and that includes cussing lol.

  10. timethief
    Member

    Now I get it. You aren't trying to develop the largest readership possible. You are aiming at a specific smaller sub-set. Best wishes. :)

  11. heatherleigh16
    Member

    I swear a lot as well, though I tone it down (JUST a little) for my blog. My readership includes a lot of my friends (some of whom I attend church with). For that reason, I try to limit my swearing, but no more so than I do in person when I attend church-hosted events. The reality? I swear far worse than ANY trucker OR sailor, therefore some slip out even at the most inappropriate of times. I would expect in that case that there's the swear word from time to time on mine. And I LOVE a good blog with swear words. It sounds more real, more human.

  12. raincoaster
    Member

    In my experience, the more vividly you bring your personality to the blog, the more readers you will get and the more loyal they will be. Whether that means any particular kind of vocabulary is entirely up to you and your authentic voice.

    I swear like a goddamfuckingcunty sailor from my days working at Greenpeace, but tt still pops by my blog sometimes.

  13. magpiedaydreams
    Member

    I will sometimes say very simple uninteresting swear words, rather than the usual colourful F bombs, if I cannot express myself intensely some other way. So in this context, if the blogger has no better way of expressing their feelings, then fine. However, I don't read blogs with an excessive amount of swearing, because chances are the feel or atmosphere of the blog will be one of hate, anger, jealousy, etc. It may not be what the blogger is intending, but that is the feel it creates. That, and not the swearing, is what turns me off.

    If you just want to express your feelings or opinions on a matter, and you aren't interested in whether or not people want to read it, then swear away. It's your blog. Just be aware of some people not returning because of it.

  14. kymleemurphy
    Member

    IMO it shouldn't be done all the time. My last entry actually has a few in it, but that had to do with the context, I was angry, and venting. I was actually worried after I wrote it because I thought, well this will probably turn some people off
    to my blog, so it's funny that I just noticed this topic in the forums.
    I think its healthy to express yourself, but there is such thing as overkill.
    It's really a personal choice, but honestly, more people will be
    inclined to understand your topic if they aren't overwhelmed by
    the crassness of your words.

    Happy Blogging! :)

  15. shesthinking
    Member

    I guess it's just my preference but the blog seems to be doing ok. I have people who visit my blog who don't use that kind of language in their own blog but most of my readers do so I guess it works out. Like I said before- it's like watching a comedian- the good ones are usually vulgar. Or a good movie. I don't exactly agree with magpie in that it sets an overall tone of jealousy, hate or anger- unless the post was intended to do so. Usually when I am cussing it's about something funny. A few of my posts are loaded- as I said, they're usually the ones intended on being humorous....other than that it's just here and there. My mom doesn't like the fact that I swear but she still enjoys reading the blog. The only way I can get into blogging is if I am totally being myself. The last blog I had I ended up abandonning because it just didn't feel like me, I was really worried about what people would think about it. But now I am just writing exactly how I feel and it's actually doing pretty good- I am nearing 4k views and it's only a month old. I also have some regulars that come through almost daily so I know I am on the right track. As Timethief pointed out- I am not so much worried about a huge readership but rather a smaller group who truly appreciates my own opinions- foul mouth and all lol. Thanks to all who responded;-p

  16. suelagoo2
    Member

    Oh, babe - words only have the power we give them. I swear in my blog too, not overly-so (my mom reads on occasion after all) but I don't shy away from it.
    If people don't like it then they can F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-find some other blog to read ;)

  17. pornstarbabylon
    Member

    When I did curse, many said it took away from what I was trying to say. Now that I'm trying to be a bit more professional, others have said it's ruined my blog. lol I changed a lot after I called a woman in the industry the C word after she came out supporting a man who knowingly infected his costars with HIV years ago. But I'm the bad one??

  18. pornstarbabylon
    Member

    Also, if you can make it funny, you can get away with it. Michael K at Dlisted can curse up a storm but he does it in a funny way. Sadly, when I curse it comes out mean.

  19. raincoaster
    Member

    Even when I don't curse it comes out mean.

    You can't win if you're tailoring your language to your audience. Tailor your audience to your language instead. Let those who want to tell you what to say go find some other puppet.

  20. shesthinking
    Member

    LOL- I totally agree raincoaster....

  21. nicstarr
    Member

    A blog should reflect the personality/traits of it's author. If you use slang/swears in everyday life you shouldn't feel like you have to conform yourself to meet other people's ideals, otherwise it's not you blogging is it?

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