Everything has been delayed, so I decided to fix something up that a few people have been on my case about. Sadly, these are people I know in real life, so they tend to have more clout than others. They also have blackmail on me, so I can’t anger them too much. I don’t use a lot of contractions when I write. This on purpose for a few characters, but for others it just happens as I imagine them speaking. I use contractions like everyone else when I talk, so it’s weird that my characters tend to talk (as my wife puts it) in a proper, hoity-toity way. I argue against this point when a character is talking to a noble because people typically try to speak nicely and refined . . . I think. I’ll let you know if I ever meet a real noble. Preferably when I’m not being led to a guillotine because I did something hilariously stupid.
So, I went through Prodigy of Rainbow Tower to fix it up. One of the most mind-numbing experiences of my life and I’m still not entirely sure why I did it. Maybe because the most vocal of hecklers is the same person who steals the covers at night. I rarely use contractions in narration, which nobody has complained about. It’s when my characters talk without contractions that riles up the masses. I’m still not sure this is entirely wrong for some reason. Many times it looks and flows better when a character talks this way. I admit that on the fourth book, I focused on this issue and changed more than the contraction, but other words to make the sentence have a better rhythm. It sounds strange, but I do notice that people speak with their own natural rhythm that helps define their vocal patterns. I might also be insane.
One thing I’m sure of: I don’t want to do a contraction run through Allure of the Gypsies. It was a difficult mess to fix in Prodigy of Rainbow Tower and I don’t feel like repeating the process. It might sound lazy, but it really comes down to me doing something that I’m not 100% behind or sure of. After all, I didn’t exclude all contractions and it felt right to me the first time around. Maybe it isn’t as bad as I thought and only the grammar, hoity-toity Huns are angry. It might be easier to take my lumps and fix it with a professional editor when a publishing company lures me to the dark side with the promise of money, donuts, and a framed, mint condition first appearance of Spider-Man comic.
You know, I just totally forgot what the point of this post is. Uh, contractions are good, but a book they do not make? Contractions are a necessary evil? I really, really wish I could eat a donut this week? I wonder why the spellchecker says ‘donuts’ is acceptable, but not ‘donut’. Well, I think that’s the point where insanity dictates that I leave all you nice blogging people alone for awhile.
Legends of Windemere 
I face the same problem as you. My main character, Michael the impromptu angel, is from another time and speaks multiple languages – some of them no longer in use by humans. So he has to learn his English from the basics up…meaning that he doesn’t master verbal contractions until the final quarter of the book I hope that my readers are patient enough to put up with this – although Michael DOES receive constant instruction from the other main character and romantic interest, Sara, regarding his manner of speech. My quilt-stealer has decided not to read my work, so at least I don’t have the same hassles as you do.
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I think most readers will be okay with it. The complaints seem to come when somebody tries to play editor/grammar police. I think if the flow of words is good and gripping then it’s easily overlooked.
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I actually think the lack of contractions in the narration makes it seem hoity-toity. If a character speaks that way, then that’s who they are.
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I was waiting for you, elfgirl. 😛 Seriously though, I think it also depends on the world and style. I cringe whenever I write contractions into narration because the voice in my head tends to be like a serious, well-bred scholar reading it. I don’t do it all the time in dialogue because there are some instances and situations where the extra word helps bring in urgency and importance. For example, Luke talking in a daily conversation might say I’m, but when trying to make a point or talking to a king he could be more inclined to say ‘I am’.
After making all the changes to the second book, there are some lines that lost their oomph to me. It’s almost too casual how the character is speaking when they are trying to push their point. Honestly, I’d be less inclined to listen to someone say ‘I’m serious!” than ‘I am serious!’ First one sounds whiny while the second sounds threatening. So, maybe the use of contractions is entirely situational and depends on the mood the author is trying to push.
(Yes, you and Tracy were the two that came to mind when I started this. ;))
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And why doesn’t the spellchecker correct it to doughnuts??
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Because both are right. I grew with it being donut, which is the shortened version like dialogue and dialog. Both are actually correct and oddly enough my example has both versions accepted. I don’t see why the same can’t be for donut and doughnut. Yet, donuts is okay.
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English is so confusing!
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