Swearing in MG?/SALLY has a steamboat!

SheilaJG

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I don't really know the rules, but I know I can't remember seeing any swearing in MG.

Here's my dilemma: I have a MC who is 12 and thinks he's a werewolf. All of his exclamations are dog-related - for instance, when he's shocked he says, "Great Danes!" When his mildly frustrated he says, "oh, kibbles." That sort of thing.

Well, at the end of one scene he realizes that the annoying kid who's been hanging around him has stolen something and left him stranded. His response - "Shih-tzu."

Too close?
 
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DanielaTorre

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LMAO. I love it. Just put it in. If you get it to an agent or publisher, they will decided whether it stays or goes. I personally think it's adorable.

Shih-tzu is a perfectly acceptable word, but when put in that context, it can be dangerous. In the end, what's the worst that can happen? You'll probably get nasty letters from moms, but you'll also create some buzz for your book. No such thing as bad publicity, yada yada. Like I said, editors will get their hands on it and decide whether it should be changed.
 

kellion92

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Haha! That's funny. I think it would work, but if it doesn't, your editor would let you know. But again, I think it would be OK.
 

Kitty Pryde

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I like it, too. I agree with them ^^ I think it's cool to keep it in for now.
 

SheilaJG

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I guess I was just worried it would create one of those moments where the reader (agent) says, "What was she thinking?" You know? But I'm glad you guys like it.
 

Smish

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It's funny. :D

And fine, in my opinion.

And reminds me of....

Sally had a steamboat, the steamboat had a bell, Sally went to Heaven, but the steamboat went to helllllllllll-o operator, give me number nine...
 

Kitty Pryde

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I'll kick you from...
 

SheilaJG

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. . . behind the frigerator
there was a piece of glass
Miss Suzie sat upon it
And cut her little . .

Ha ha ha ha, Smish and Kitty!
 
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jvc

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I think it's funny and when you get an agent and publisher, they'll let you know if you need to change it. At this stage I wouldn't worry about it at all. Leave it in and see if it stays later. :)
 

benbradley

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I don't know the MG field, but IMHO if THAT gets taken out, I'd be tempted to find another publisher!

I'm reminded of this song (youtube video of the 45 single being played, some of the others videos of this song have "explicit" cartoon drawings). Beware of the Wikipedia entry on the song, it has a four-letter word right there in the first paragraph! Originally recorded in the 1940's, Dr. Demento made it a hit in the 1970's.

Lyrics are on this page:
This Song is meant for Boy Scouts.
Decide for yourself if it is appropriate for your younger scouts or not.
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/song/song-1288.asp

If all recorded music were like this at worst, there would never have been those coveted "Parental Advisory" stickers on CD's.

ROFLM ... well I better not say THAT! :D
 

t0dd

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I don't really know the rules, but I know I can't remember seeing any swearing in MG.

Here's my dilemma: I have a MC who is 12 and thinks he's a werewolf. All of his exclamations are dog-related - for instance, when he's shocked he says, "Great Danes!" When his mildly frustrated he says, "oh, kibbles." That sort of thing.

Is that the Minion School story over at SYW?
 

Smish

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. . . behind the frigerator
there was a piece of glass
Miss Suzie sat upon it
And cut her little . .

Ha ha ha ha, Smish and Kitty!

Who the heck is Miss Suzie? Do you sing the song differently?
 

Kitty Pryde

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Ask me no more questions
I'll tell you no more lies
The boys are in the bathroom
Zipping up their...



[Smish, yeah, it's definitely Miss Susie! Ah, characters from children's rhymes with buttock lacerations!]
 

Smish

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Ask me no more questions
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The boys are in the bathroom
Zipping up their...



[Smish, yeah, it's definitely Miss Susie! Ah, characters from children's rhymes with buttock lacerations!]

What? Miss Susie? No way. It's Sally!

You're both Californians. Freaking weirdos.

:roll:
 

Kitty Pryde

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Well, when I was a kid, and reciting vaguely dirty jump-rope rhymes, I lived in Indiana. So there!
 

Smish

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Well, when I was a kid, and reciting vaguely dirty jump-rope rhymes, I lived in Indiana. So there!

Well, freaking Yankee weirdo, then. :D

How 'bout this one...

Down in the valley, where the green grass grows, there sits Kitty, sweet as a rose. She sang, she sang, she sang so sweet and along came Charlie and kissed her on the cheek...
 

SheilaJG

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What? Miss Susie? No way. It's Sally!

You're both Californians. Freaking weirdos.

:roll:

I beg to differ, and I will direct you to this site for backup to my claim that it is, indeed, Susie, not, as the defendant claims, Sally, who had the aforementioned steamboat:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Susie

The plaintiff is not asking for damages, but will now go make a daisy chain and swirl in the air praising the creative force of nature.
 

clare

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Well, at the end of one scene he realizes that the annoying kid who's been hanging around him has stolen something and left him stranded. His response - "Shih-tzu."

Too close?

I think it's hilarious! Any kid too young for that sort of humor wouldn't get it anyway.

Who the heck is Miss Suzie? Do you sing the song differently?

Here in Michigan, here name has always been Suzie. Assk me no more questions...
 

Morrell

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I think it's perfect, Sheila!
And as to the playground rhyme controversy, here in Missouri it's always been Miss Susie.
 

Smish

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If one more person disagrees with me, I'm locking this thread.

:e2tongue: