A little over a week ago, I paid my first visit to a book club. This group did me the great honor of reading both Amphibious and Bivalent nearly immediately after the release of each book. Only one member of the club was able to attend the Bivalent launch party in July of this year (audio highlights available here), but she asked if I might join her book club online for a private Q&A session. Of course, I was elated to accept the invitation. 🤗

Before the gathering, I received a warning that one of the most pressing questions about Evolution of Control (EOC) concerned the language. One member of the group in particular wanted to know why I do not use stronger language either in dialogue or in narration. After all, the Amphibians are rather violent characters and they really ought to kick “ass,” not “behind.”

At the actual book club meeting, the above-mentioned inquirer commented that my novels about human weapons “sound like a grandmother wrote them.” Having nothing against books written by grandmothers, I laughed aloud at this not totally inaccurate observation. I completely understand that edgy content is often paired with edgy language and that softer language can seem out of place with edgy content. So, the question was fair and somewhat expected. I had an answer at the ready and would like to share it with any readers who may be puzzling over the same issue.

Back when I first began working on Amphibious, I read a book (lamentably, I’ve forgotten the title and the author) that gave me the best advice I ever received about writing: Don’t write for your mother. I have followed that advice doggedly throughout my creative process, and it has given me the boldness to produce content that I believe needs to be written. The issue of language has been the only exception to my following this amazing advice. While I admit that I am chilled to the bone at the idea of justifying the use of foul language in my writing to my mother, I am motivated by more than a desire to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.

I come from a long line of strong, Black American women, and our family has prioritized education––of ourselves and of others––for many generations. Across the generations, it was a frequently repeated assertion that “people who swear do not know how to express themselves well.” That is, people only swear when they do not have the words to say what is really on their mind. While these ideas could certainly lead to some unfortunate prejudices, they were directed at spurring the members of our family and of the greater community to value education as one of the most effective tools for making the world a better place.

I grew up surrounded by women who, knowing the power of nuanced verbal self-expression, insisted upon my searching for and finding the words to express myself accurately. This upbringing undoubtedly fostered my delight in thoughtfulness about word choice. So, while choosing only to include minimal swearing in EOC may not completely fit in the speculative genre, it is a way to honor my ancestors and my upbringing. As such, it is also a way to share more of myself with my readers. And frankly, I am amenable to the idea that the less edgy language may end up becoming a distinguishing characteristic of my work in a positive way.

Besides, within the narrative world, why shouldn’t well-read folks of the late twenty-first and early twenty-second centuries have expansive vocabularies to employ in their quests for self-expression? Couldn’t it be that they might banish the majority of expletives from their everyday speech because they have so many other ways to express themselves? Dream a little with me! 😜

Returning to my story about the book club visit, I want to say that all critiques and responses shared during the Q&A session were delivered with the utmost respect and good humor. Visiting this book club was immensely enjoyable, and I treasured the feedback and the laughs that we had. I always welcome questions about my work, although I do not always promise answers. I was glad that, this time, the answer was so readily available and that I had the chance to share a piece of my family history with my readers.