Whether it be YA or Adult, I have set my sights on writing Fantasy and Science Fiction. And as long as the story is good and the characters are developed that should be all I need to worry about, right?
Wrong.
It turns out, YA books aren’t supposed to have the level of swearing that I am comfortable with. Given that I learned the F-Bomb in Fifth Grade, I am not really sure how to hold a PG rant, or throw a YA friendly insult. This is a problem, because while I would be happy throwing out words like a$$hat and fustercluck (you know what I mean) my agent assures me that, for YA this simply will not do.
I have tried thinking of appropriate alternatives, consulted insult generators, and even googled ‘PG swear words’ but it has been a frustrating and fruitless search.
So I come to you, the reader, on bended-knee with hands clasped. I implore you, please give me some swear words that are PG without being stupid. I tried, and I think I fried a circuit in my brain. My ears have been smoking all morning.
Bye for now!
https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-Swear-Words-with-Less-Offensive-Words
fudge – or when really riled up – fudge ripple ice cream
other food exclamations like: succatash, peas, shellfish, etc.
Muggles
Cycle through the planets or the periodic table
Good luck!
Cycling through lists of things might allow you to subtly show a character trait / interest or insert a little humor: greek and roman gods for a history buff, cartoon characters or characters from iconic books or video games (Mario Cart!), 60’s rock bands, days of the week in foreign languages, etc.