Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:47 pm Post
Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:27 am Post
Tue Jan 09, 2018 5:06 pm Post
Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:24 pm Post
Floss wrote:unless that character is the sort of lowlife scum who would actually use phrases like lol and rofl when talking.
Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:42 pm Post
Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:00 pm Post
lunk wrote:Surely a ”1st person narrative” can be described as a ”lowlife scum” in a discussion about writing? The forum rules about being polite are for humans, not for characters in novels.
Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:38 pm Post
Floss wrote:unless you are writing an epistolary novel -- e.g, lucy kellaway,s martin lukes effort a few years back ...
Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:18 pm Post
Bridey wrote:Floss wrote:unless that character is the sort of lowlife scum who would actually use phrases like lol and rofl when talking.
For me, it’s odious to see such a sentiment in any context, but it’s especially distasteful to see it in a community of writers, and particularly when the OP asks a question about writing non-fiction/a memoir and the response infers a personal slur.
The forum rules list one rule: be polite.
viewtopic.php?p=243213#p243213
How can it possibly be polite to call anyone lowlife scum because of how they talk or write, let alone infer that the OP falls into that category?
Personally, I think such a comment is a form of prejudice, which isn’t acceptable whether said in jest or earnest. The language that is used really matters, and today, for example, we look back at some of the discriminatory language used in earlier decades and rightfully feel revolted.
And the thing is that discriminatory language is often a precursor to discriminatory actions. Casual racism has led to millennia of racist violence. Casual sexism has led to millennia of sexual discrimination and inequality, playing a part in the subsequent actions of men like Harvey Weinstein. Deeds follow words, which is why discriminatory and demeaning words need to be challenged.
I’m glad we have political correcteness. Glad that people are outraged by Trump’s “shithole countries” comment. Glad that the #metoo movement exists, but wish it didn’t have to.
Would it be okay if Floss had written a different generalisation/denigration, such as:
“unless that character is the sort of lowlife scum who…
…is black.
…is a woman.
…is a Chink.
…is poor.
…is French.
…is European.
…is American.
…is disabled.
…is gay.
…would have dreadlocks.
…would have an Indian accent.
…would worship god.
…would be a Muslim.”
In my opinion, all of the above are discriminatory, bigoted, and impolite. They all break the one rule that members of the forum are asked to abide by.
My aunt says lol. She isn't lowlife scum, unless lowlife scum is now a synonym for woman / human being / mother/ wife / charity worker / etc.
I reported the post, but it *appears* that my concerns are not shared, which I have to accept. I think it is disappointing that PrinceCorwin and the wider community haven’t been protected by the moderators. It’s not my place to apologise to PrinceCorwin, but I certainly feel sorry for him/her and want to distance myself from any taint of implicit collusion.
I’ll continue to use Scrivener, and I will contact tech support if the need arises, but I don’t want to contribute to a forum where writers / people are called lowlife scum just for being different to a member of the forum. For not conforming to one person’s particular point of view.
PrinceCorwin, write however you want to write: find your own voice and be proud of it.
Thanks and goodbye.
Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:21 pm Post
Bridey wrote:I reported the post, but it *appears* that my concerns are not shared, which I have to accept. I think it is disappointing that PrinceCorwin and the wider community haven’t been protected by the moderators. It’s not my place to apologise to PrinceCorwin, but I certainly feel sorry for him/her and want to distance myself from any taint of implicit collusion.
Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:35 pm Post
Bridey wrote:PrinceCorwin, write however you want to write: find your own voice and be proud of it.
Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:25 pm Post
Bridey wrote:Thanks and goodbye.
Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:15 am Post
krastev wrote:Bridey wrote:Thanks and goodbye.
One question before you go: Are you saying that there are no 'lowlife scum' people in real life!?
The real problem with today society are not the foulmouthed people, but the people, trying to impose censorship on everything - even thoughts.
It is shameful that an author will support any kind of censorship.
Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:52 pm Post
PrinceCorwin wrote:I'm writing my first non fiction (a memoir written from the main character's first person perspective)
Of course, the grammar rules are no longer concrete due to the first person narrative. I definitely want the book to have the character's own voice. But I've noticed a tendency to want to include texting acronyms like lol occasionally when the character is describing a situation or event. How do you feel about this?
Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:39 am Post
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