Is it ok to use contractions in your writing?

by Alex Smith
29th July 2013

Hi, I'm writing a children's/young adults fantasy fiction book and I was wondering whether it's ok to use words like 'didn't, wouldn't, couldn't' in the writing outside of dialogue? Using 'do not' all the time feels a little unnatural, but does it look unprofessional?

Replies

Hi Alex,

It's fine - it sounds a lot weirder to avoid them. If in doubt, read some of your favourite books and specifically see how the writers deal with this.

S

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Simon P.
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Simon P. Clark
29/07/2013