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Help - Can't decide
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kopek123
 13 Dec 2008, 14:55 #52808 Reply To Post
My story is a light-hearted look of living with our animals, the focus mainly being on our new puppy, and his destructiveness.

In my story I have references to 'the wife'. Now my feedback, from various sources, seems to be split 50/50 on the use of this. It seems to evoke extremes, people either love it or hate it.

Oddly enough it's mainly blokes you don't like it.

My question is, should I replace it? I feel it's fairy integral to my story, so if I do replace it with something else, that needs to be one specific phrase.

Any thoughts please?
NeilBarker
 13 Dec 2008, 15:04 #52813 Reply To Post
I know quite a few people who refer to their wives as "The Wife" so while I haven't read your story, if it is said in dialogue (or is in a clear narrative voice) then it is fine because it conveys the character and they way that they speak. I always feel that is better to be true to the characters than to change things to please a few readers/reviewers.
"Sometimes a little ambition goes a long way"


http://neilbarker.webs.com/

marywood18
 13 Dec 2008, 17:59 #52844 Reply To Post
As a rule of thumb, I have changed parts of my novel if a number of reviewers have picked up on the same point. I have toned down: dialect and a sexual scene for this reason and I have changed names of characters as more than a handful found the similar sounding names a confusion. Each time I have liked the changes. You might like to consider doing the same as 50% is a high margin of fellow writers who found the phrase to jar on their nerves or offend their values. However, the phrase itself if used in a chummy, affectionate and comical way shouldn't offend in general. An alternative could be found, many comics use, 'her in doors' or 'she who must be obeyed' and as a confession; my adorable hubby calls me, 'his old bird'. Not complimentary I know, but it is how he says it that matters. So if you don't want to change it, make sure its meaning can't be misconstrued by your readers. Best wishes, Mary.



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kopek123
 14 Dec 2008, 08:50 #52890 Reply To Post
Thanks for advice guys. The percentage has now dropped, I got a couple more reviews come back last night.

Neil,
Those are my feelings, some people seem to have missed that 'The Wife' is a strong character. The fact I refer to her as the wife, yet there is a good strong relationship between us. It's a term of endearment.

Mary,
Thanks for your comments. I don't want to use different terms as this will water it down somewhat. I hoped that the way it reads has conveyed the emotion, but obviously not to all.

I suppose I'll have to wait for more reviews and then make a judgment call.

Thanks
dogeared
 14 Dec 2008, 19:30 #52953 Reply To Post
I consider the term 'the wife' as derogatory and wouldn't dream of using it when referring to, ahem, Princess.

I acknowledge however that everyone has their own terms of endearment - just use caution outside your own relationship though.
http://www.allthat.tv The free site for self publishers.
RobertB
 14 Dec 2008, 19:56 #52958 Reply To Post
I've heard 'the Wife' from loads of people. It's just a question of whether it fits the character. It could be derogatory, or not, again depending on the characters.
PaulySpooner
 14 Dec 2008, 19:59 #52959 Reply To Post
Quote: RobertB, Sunday, 14 Dec 2008 19:56
I've heard 'the Wife' from loads of people. It's just a question of whether it fits the character. It could be derogatory, or not, again depending on the characters.


My dad calls my mam his 'tart' (sometimes his 'big fat tart')she seems fine with it...make of that what you will!
This post was last edited by PaulySpooner, 14 Dec 2008, 20:00
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kopek123
 17 Dec 2008, 19:26 #53370 Reply To Post
Thanks for the feedback guys, this is what makes this site so good.
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