erasing what's more important is another.
I learned early on that obsenities are hand grenades tossed
into a story. As soon as one goes off in a sentence, then the
rest of the sentence disappears in the readers' eyes, and any
information contained therein is lost. I see too many newbie
writers using obscenities to cover up weaknesses in plot or
characterization and not using them to enhance or enrich
their strengths.
"A transvestite hiking up her skirt and grabbing her crotch
at me" has more dramatic power than any number of
"Fuck!"
But I digress.
Ellroy is insecure.
Best wishes
Frederick Zackel
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