The whimsical workout
I have a good sense of humour but it becomes lost in translation when I try to write it. That frustrates me.
While reading comics, watching sitcoms, late night tv and shows such as The Simpsons and Family Guy, I marvel at the writers’ talent. There are some funny writers online too, and the more I read humour the more I want to write it.
In May, I attempted to write humour. It took effort because the writing didn’t flow. I had ideas, but it was like looking at a 2,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, trying to figure out how everything fit together.
Fortunate accidents
Ideas don’t necessarily come in sequence or appear to be related, thus they can pass by unrecognized or be discarded. A discarded idea could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Once you find the corner pieces (ideas/theme) of the puzzle, notice how words and ideas come into play that wouldn’t have otherwise occurred to you. I call these fortunate accidents; they help to put the puzzle together.
You’ll notice patterns; ideas play off each other. They will lead you to find the next piece of the puzzle. You can find good examples of these fortunate accidents in “The Muse is My Master.”
Now, I’m not saying that the three posts I wrote were winners, but I was happy with my progress. It was a learning experience and I know they made some of you smile. That is something. It would be a dream come true to do a comedy routine and listen to the audience laugh. Laughter brings people together… with each other and with themselves.
10 techniques to write humour
I believe that if someone wants to write humour badly enough, they can. There are steps you can follow, plus it helps to research the topic and be aware of current events and latest trends. Practice, perseverance and patience go a long way, too.
- Use puns
- Use sarcasm
- State the obvious
- State the opposite
- Draw parallels
- Use metaphors
- Feign ignorance or stupidity
- Use the shock factor
- Write as if you are speaking to a child
- Exercise an attitude of superiority
Someone challenged with writer’s block might even benefit from practicing these techniques. Sometimes you just have to lay the foundation (build the outer edges of the puzzle) before the picture takes shape. You don’t need inspiration for that; just start collecting the pieces.
More examples can be found in “Dial-1-2-1-Muse” and “9 Animal Totem Cards for Your Muse.” Writing about what you are passionate about is key because there are hooks there for you.
What’s interesting is that humour bypasses the intellect for the listener. Yet, in order to write humour you have to dig deep into the intellect.
Have you written humour? Do you have any tips?
What is your favourite type of comedy?
Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet
patricia
Hilary
Tony Single
Linda
Barbara Swafford
Deb Dorchak
Chris Edgar
{ 14 comments }
This post made me think about humor in my life. I am excellent in person with spoken words–I can improvise and make the group laugh, I can be witty, I can work the room successfully. However, I cannot seem to think it out ahead of time, nor write it very well. I think a lot of what I do then involves my tone of voice, facial expressions, body language and my ability to play off of the Energy of the audience.
I have never thought about this before. There is a direct parallel to how I live life though…I tend to allow for unfolding in a day, I can plan but I prefer not to, I prefer spontaneous and fun over tedious and detailed…Hmmm…I shall think about this then…I do enjoy challenging myself with new and different, so I shall spend some time this week writing a comedy script, as though I was in the room with the audience..First time ever….
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Fearless Fun Friday: Celebrate! =-.
Davina,
I sometimes think I have moments of humor…but usually…my kids do well at “setting me straight”!!! Maybe I should go with the “shock factor”…just the shocking nature of it might be enough to garner a few laughs!!
And…Davina…you definitely bring smiles and chuckles to ME!!
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
That is an interesting thing about humor, isn’t it — the fact that the laughter reaction happens in a way that we can’t necessarily logically analyze, and that merely understanding the words that are used by the speaker can’t convey the humor value. It really has so much more to do with the speaker’s way of being.
Davina,
I think you have a wonderful sense of humor. I find your humor comes out a lot in your poetry. For example, one of my favorites is “Sweet Cheeks” http://www.shadesofcrimson.com/2009/12/03/poem-3-sweet-cheeks/
This one really was FUNNY and caught me by surprise! Your humor is subtle, but I love it because I often don’t expect it. Then when it hits me, it’s all the better:~)
On the other hand, think humor is tough at times to write, especially since people react to it differently. For example, I have a darker humor, as opposed to more joking or slapstick humor. Honestly, it scares me sometimes what I can actually find funny:~)
My writing tip is to figure what makes you belly laugh and, if you can, write about this subject!
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Political Change: Do It Yourself! =-.
Hi Davina,
I like the puzzle analogy you used in this post.
I think writing humor on blogs can be difficult since we can only use words which can easily be misconstrued or misunderstood. Having said that, what I do think works well is when a story is told and the author pokes fun at themselves (vs at others). And…funny photos can add to the joke or funny story, as well.
I remember reading a funny story on a blog and even though it made me laugh, some who left comments were offended.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Now What? =-.
Hi Joy.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head by saying you cannot “think it out ahead of time”. The funniest moments seem to be the most spontaneous and humour is best right in the moment. I agree that humour in person has more visual support, too.
Hi Lance.
Good to hear I make you chuckle :-) Lol, your kids set you straight? So, you’re saying you’re not funny? I’ve seen your shock factor in action on some of those videos on your blog. Watching you eating those crazy concoctions you make puts a smile on my face every time.
Hi Chris.
Yeah, the speaker’s way of being has so much to do with this. You’re right. Imagine the same person delivering the same comedy routine; that would be interesting, wouldn’t it?
Hi Sara.
That’s one of my fav poems too — thanks for sharing it again :-) Your comment made me laugh out loud thinking about those times that humour has snuck up on me. It’s the BEST when a joke comes out of nowhere. Even better when certain words pop out of your mouth and both you and your companion both get the side humour at the exact time. Then you end up laughing at each other laughing. Side-splitting and tears streaming down the face.
Hi Barbara.
I agree, words can be misconstrued when we don’t have the visual aid and tone of voice to flavour it. It’s funny because just this minute I wondered; if we are offended by the words without that ‘proof’, we are defaulting to the negative belief; we are choosing to believe what we are thinking they mean without checking. It’s great if you do check, but not so great if the other person is offended by you checking. Good Lord! Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
I write humor occasionally, but for the most part I’m like you – I’m funnier in person than I am in writing.
.-= vered | blogger for hire´s last blog ..Shiny Happy People (Stock Photography Rant) =-.
I go to the comedy club a lot and I watch a lot of comedians. The thing that surprised me is how much they script and rehearse their routines … and they do get better with time. I’ve been able to watch some comedians really grow their skills through deliberate practice.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..3 Take Aways from The Karate Kid =-.
Hi Vered.
You and I need to rely on those fortunate accidents. :)
Hi JD.
That is surprising. Maybe there IS hope. A friend of mine took a clown’s course and she had a ball. I guess as they say, practice makes perfect.
Hi Davina. I think you write great humour. I agree with Sara’s assessment that your style is quite subtle, something that I don’t come across that much anymore. Such a shame, because yours is a kind of humour that forces you to slow down and let it creep in under your brain’s thinking somewhere. And then you get an “Ah hah!” moment and start laughing. Too cool for words! :)
I love writing humour, but I find the process to be a very hit and miss one for me. For every joke that seems to hit the mark with my readers, there seems to be so many more that sort of just… well, die a death. There’s no real science to it. I can only go by gut.
It sure does force me to take the sting out of a lot of terrible things in a terrible world, and that’s not a bad thing. We laugh at unfunny things because we need to. We need the relief!
Hi Davina .. I just laugh at odd times .. some comedy programmes I positively cannot see what is funny .. I guess it’s the cynicism or laughing at things that to my mind are cruel .. I used to – but not so much now. I love old comedies .. British ones .. and the silent movies.
I’m not sure I could write comedy .. though Liara did commen the other day she liked my dry sense of humour.
I do love to laugh though .. – keeps me going especially at the moment .. – have a good week .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Ever Thought of a Map as an Encyclopedia? =-.
Hi Tony.
Lol… I like how you’ve described my sense of humour; it’s great to get an outsider’s view, and this makes me chuckle — “creeping in under your brain’s thinking” :-) I LOVE your sense of humour. It is dry, dry, dry. Hit and miss is a good way to put it. I really think it can be practiced and improved if that is your desire. Yes, humour takes the sting out of the hard times.
Hi Hilary.
British comedies, yes! I used to watch “Keeping up Appearances” — do you know it? And, “Faulty Towers” — hilarious! It’s true you know, the cruelty and cynicism can strike a funny chord when watching it in these programs. I see that a lot in cartoons, too.
You have a dry sense of humour like Tony does — silent, but deadly :-D My feeling about you, Hilary is that you are a strong woman and your sense of humour is only one of the few things that are keeping you going. It’s probably the icing on the cake; for you and your mother and friends.
I agree it is hard to write comedy. The only thing I have written that is funny was “His picture is worth 92 words”. I am a lot funnier in person.
I have to add one to your list Davina. Be able to laugh at yourself, and willing to share it.
Hi Jim.
Have you ever had a laughing fit and then started laughing at yourself laughing, and so on? You can get absolutely hysterical… sidesplitting.
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