RS, Author, Novelist on Nostr: #EngenderedWriting 09 — Is there a place for gender slurs in gender fiction? (E.g., ...

#EngenderedWriting 09 — Is there a place for gender slurs in gender fiction? (E.g., Slut, bitch, etc.) Defend your opinion.

I am not a fan of slurs. In general I avoid them, especially gender slurs. Problem is, some gender stories need them in order to establish verisimilitude.

I'm glad I waited late to write my response. So many great posts today! As was pointed out by npub1xrgpux640tqfcgz0zea6jd4sna0tnv6egmmvgl3dy6htl2kcg57qatzx32 (npub1xrg…zx32), many of us authors responding today have valid reasons to use slurs in fiction. As npub1339g2nu4xmt4v6hc79h2n7yx6vq8nd8j7av9pm4krx5avmp5jc4sxfyjr8 (npub1339…yjr8) added, "We are grownups here," and so are the audiences we expect to read our stories. Normally, I'd say—as I would about profanity for which gender slurs are a subclass—that they can be used advisedly if not used gratuitously, but there are exceptions, like erotic stories or sexualized situations where they might be be expected.

Horses for courses.

Generally, I try to avoid using them. For one, I write far future SFF or otherworld albeit still urban fantasy. Use of the example words would be totally out of place. So...

I make up my own slurs!

Advisedly, in context. For example, especially if you are not a daemon, never call a daemon woman a devil-girl (actually a double slur on her type of human and her maturity), especially in a situation where slut might apply. You might live...

...to regret it.

Her calling herself that? Well, she'll have contextual reasons. She might even tell you to call her that, if she likes you. Again, in context, and to make a point.

My opinion, anyway.

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