Contractions in the Body?

[ottabelle]

Is this typically frowned upon, or acceptable?

I never really notice when I'm reading if they use contractions in the body or not. I do notice that I automatically type out a contraction. I figure that dialogue is fine. In my opinion, almost anything you want to type in dialogue is fine. It's how your characters talk, after all and you want that to come across.

I mean like, Sammy jumped but didn't make it across the ravine. "I can't believe I missed!"

Is didn't ok, or should it be did not?

Or does it even matter one way or another?

[ottabelle]

This may be in the wrong place, sorry! I didn't see the other folder area until I checked again...

[limebirdmike]

Contractions in the body are absolutely fine! If anything, this is more a question about style. Some authors prefer not to use contractions, and if it fits their style, then all well and good. From my perspective however, I do find people who endlessly feel the need to write 'do not' and 'cannot' can actually really break up the flow of the writing. Sometimes writing out the full word makes sense -- it might for example, help you convey your meaning in a better way, but for me it's all about finding a solution that fits the way you want to write.

If you're not sure, read it back to yourself. If it sounds ok to you, then it's probably fine :-)

[ottabelle]

Thanks! To me, it sounds fine. I have a character that doesn't use contractions at all when he speaks. To me, not using a contraction means you're angry or being serious when speaking.

I feel like it reads easier with contractions. When I post chapters for feedback, we can all work together to help me decide what sounds best.

Thank you for your help.

[limebirdwriters]

Hi Ottabelle,

I completely agree with LimebirdMike, I think that contractions in the body of your text is fine. I usually just write whatever fits into the sentence. In some cases, it flows better with cannot and sometimes it flows better with can't. However, some people feel that 'can't' or 'don't' is more colloquial so I guess it depends what you are writing!

Like Mike said, I would try and read it aloud and see what goes in better.

[ottabelle]

Thank you limebirdbeth (do you mind if i abbreviate to Lime, Bird, or Beth? I don't mind any kind of abbreviations on my name, if you wanted to do the same.) When I go through and edit when I eventually have everything written, I'll try reading it out loud. Thank you both.

[limebirdwriters]

Dec 6, 2011 0:44:43 GMT ottabelle said:

Thank you limebirdbeth (do you mind if i abbreviate to Lime, Bird, or Beth? I don't mind any kind of abbreviations on my name, if you wanted to do the same.) When I go through and edit when I eventually have everything written, I'll try reading it out loud. Thank you both.

Haha! You can call me whatever you like! Beth is fine!

Yes, I think I'll try this with my novel when it's done. I think reading it aloud is a great device to see where you can change things in your work!

[4amWriter]

Hi Ottabelle,

Yes, both limebirdmike and limebirdbeth are right. It's a matter of style, and it is also a matter of voice. If you read it out loud, you will know if it feels/sounds right. If your narrator is a formal kind of speaker, then a contraction might not sound right for instance. But if your narrator is casual and relatable to the common folk it might sound better to use the contraction.
Good question! limebirdkate

[munsi]

My rule of thumb, and I'm from an acting/improv background so that's where my rule of thumb is coming from, is "write it the way you'd say it out loud". It sounds simplistic, but really not enough people have internalized it, it's about telling the most natural sounding story you can.

[4amWriter]

Dec 14, 2011 13:13:45 GMT munsi said:

My rule of thumb, and I'm from an acting/improv background so that's where my rule of thumb is coming from, is "write it the way you'd say it out loud". It sounds simplistic, but really not enough people have internalized it, it's about telling the most natural sounding story you can.

Good idea! And when you read it out loud, that method should really work well.

[kathils]

I think contractions in the body are a matter of voice: the author's and the POV's. In most of my work I use contractions. In my current ms I have one character who *never* uses contractions. When I'm in his POV I make sure there are not contractions anywhere, because that's how he is. It really gives him his own voice.

[4amWriter]

Right on, Kathlis! I also find that without contractions the speaker sounds much more formal and not quite so chummy.

[ottabelle]

Dec 19, 2011 11:52:03 GMT kathils said:

I think contractions in the body are a matter of voice: the author's and the POV's. In most of my work I use contractions. In my current ms I have one character who *never* uses contractions. When I'm in his POV I make sure there are not contractions anywhere, because that's how he is. It really gives him his own voice.

I have a character that does that too.

[limebirdwriters]

Dec 19, 2011 11:52:03 GMT kathils said:

I think contractions in the body are a matter of voice: the author's and the POV's. In most of my work I use contractions. In my current ms I have one character who *never* uses contractions. When I'm in his POV I make sure there are not contractions anywhere, because that's how he is. It really gives him his own voice.

Haha! Me too actually now I think of it. However, mine is a posh English bad guy.. so maybe that's why!

[kathils]

Right on, Kathlis! I also find that without contractions the speaker sounds much more formal and not quite so chummy.

Another one of my characters goes contractionless (did I just make up a new word?!!?) whenever he has put on what my beta calls "his ass hat". LOL