[Denise M. Cassano Posts: 26 Status: Offline Represented by Eden Street Literary WWW]

What do you think of using the word 'mustn't in a PB? Sounds like a silly question, but it's one of those words that looks weird on the page.

For example:

They’ll tell you to give up.  But you mustn’t!

[lisa-katzenberger Posts: 69 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I agree it does look a little funny. What about "But don't!"

[Denise M. Cassano Posts: 26 Status: Offline Represented by Eden Street Literary WWW]

yes- I have 'don't' a few lines later and I can't really change that one. I don't want repetitive words.  That's why I chose mustn't.

It's still weird.

[onestepp Posts: 139 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Actually repeating or using the same word in a PB is a good thing instead of something to look down upon. 

[Schriscoe Posts: 1,804 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com WWW]

Why not just go with 'must not'?  Or even "They'll tell you to give up. But don't do it!" or even "you can't!"

I agree, mustn't looks weird and wouldn't be my word of choice either.

[Anne Marie Posts: 2,855 Status: Offline VAMPIRINA season 3 is on Disney Junior now! WWW]

Mustn't works for me if it's in the right context.

[DianaM Posts: 971 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

I think "mustn't" is fine if it fits the voice you're going for.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,378 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Looks fine to me.

Okay, here's a weird thing. I was writing a book about construction and after a while the word "building" started to look strange to me. I kept pronouncing it boo-ilding. What a weird word. So the fact that something looks weird might be a completely normal phenomenon

[Schriscoe Posts: 1,804 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com WWW]

Interesting V. I'll have to remember that.

Still isn't a favorite word choice of mine, but you guys make a good point on it relying voice and context.

And Diana! Is that a new Grimelda cover as your avatar? YAY!!

[DianaM Posts: 971 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

It is, Sharon! Hee hee. :D Coming out next July! 

[DianaM Posts: 971 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

Vijaya, that's so true! Sometimes it looks weird when you look at it too long.

[Schriscoe Posts: 1,804 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com WWW]

It is, Sharon! Hee hee. :D Coming out next July! 

  Can't wait to add that one to my collection! It looks fantastic! 

[DianaM Posts: 971 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

Thanks, Sharon! 

[Vonna Posts: 1,799 Status: Offline WWW]

Mustn't works for me if it's in the right context.

  I happen to love mustn't.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,940 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

I think mustn't has great voice, but I can't say if it's the right voice for your character/narrator. All words are good words; it's in how we use them.