Comedy: August 01, 2007 Issue [#1865]
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Comedy


 This week:
  Edited by: darkin
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

They say laughter is the best medicine. And what could be more medicinal than a good, old fashioned belly laugh. The kind that comes from deep inside, vibrating upwards until it reaches your lips. It's what keeps us young, and makes us feel alive.

My name is Darkin, and I’m your guest host this week for the Comedy Newsletter.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

It Really Happened...to a Friend of a Friend!


Did you hear the one about the man who blew up his house by using too many bug bombs? Really, it happened to a friend of a friend! I know it's true because he e-mailed the proof to me.*Laugh*

Urban legends can be some of the funniest e-mails you will get these days. Everything from translation errors to alligators in New York's sewer system. Not a day goes by that I don't received at least one e-mail warning me about something that sounds almost too crazy to be true. In most cases, common sense should tell the reader the e-mailed information just isn't possible. And yet, people believe them all the time.

Haven't you every wondered where some of these stories come from, and if they are true?

Well, there is a wonderful web site, devoted to examining all of those urban legends that have plagued our inboxes and mailboxes all these years. You can find the history for almost any "pass this on to everyone in your address book" e-mails. Just go to http://www.snopes.com The site is sorted by categories and has a great search engine too.

Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with comedy writing. Well, I'm going to tell you. When I get stuck for an idea, or when I haven't a clue where my story is going, I go to this site and read a few of the latest entries. I have had wonderful ideas pop into my head while reading about the "toilet paper shortage the California wildfires caused" - not true. Or the "Australian programmers who added armed kangaroos to their military simulation" - true.

Some of the stories on that web site are downright funny. Just click any of the links be transported into the bizarre, and often funny, world of life's oddities.

It's a great place to find an unusual twist for your story. How about a hero who has a secret fear of spiders living in his hair. Or that strange neighbor who believes that earwigs really will eat his brain. There are many ways that an urban legend can be worked into a story to spice it up, and give your reader a bit of a laugh. Just wander the halls of this collection and you're bound to find something that will catch your eye, and spark your imagination. There's really something for everyone on this web site.

So, if your Muse is a little quiet today, or you have a story that doesn't seem to be going anywhere, take a walk on the wild side. And watch out for the alligators!

Oh, and just for the record, that man DID blow his house up using too many bug bombs. To read all about it - http://www.snopes.com/humor/follies/bugbomb.asp *Laugh*

Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!


darkin


Editor's Picks

Here are some items I found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!

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#1297608 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1298416 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1292501 by Not Available.

 Vaccine For A Klutz Open in new Window. (E)
A man who finds someone else to program his VCR
#411813 by Joy Author IconMail Icon

 Resignation Open in new Window. (13+)
Comedic resignation letter written for Writer's Cramp.
#844127 by Diane Author IconMail Icon

 Truth or Dare Open in new Window. (18+)
My dare from Jessiebelle
#1056480 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#820802 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1298213 by Not Available.

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#1260256 by Not Available.

 
Image Protector
IN & OUT
Odd questions. Open in new Window. (13+)
Add your own or answer one if you can.
#1263364 by keetao Author IconMail Icon

Have Something To Say...? Open in new Window. (GC)
Frustrated, amused, annoyed or worse? Come share it here.
#957726 by Turkey DrumStik Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
IN & OUT
Fortunately/Unfortunately Open in new Window. (13+)
Alternate optimistic/pessimistic posts
#752701 by deemac Author IconMail Icon

 Shakespeare V2.0 Open in new Window. (13+)
A little quiz about the bard...
#1117203 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Write a story in 1000 words or less to a given picture prompt. [Hiatus!]
#1101926 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
FORUM
Lexi's Poetry Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
LPC Round 54 open. Pick a title, create a poem.
#701412 by Lexi Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Thank you for allowing me into your e-mail boxes for this week's issue. I had a wonderful time writing this issue and would love to hear what you think about it. Here is some feedback I received from my last newsletter.

darkin

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Submitted By: fleckgirl
Submitted Comment:

I found myself just last night, out with friends and partaking in one of those laugh-so hard moments that my belly, chest and throat hurt from all the laughter as I was wiping tears from my eyes. Laughter truly is the best medicine, which is somewhat implied in your newsletter.
I was also glad to see Bernie Thomas featured again - his short stories always make me laugh. A lot of potential there in my opinion!
Thanks again for an informational newsletter and reminding us that we can't always make everyone laugh, but to remember that sometimes it's the little things that can be found to be the funniest!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Submitted By: Daizy May Author Icon
Submitted Comment:

Hey Darkin, This is a good newsletter. I agree with the bathroom humor. I'll admit, I wrote a 'fart' poem myself. It just brings a grin. But when you mentioned Ethel and Lucy, I laughed out loud. That is true comedy.

Good job! Nancy

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Word from our sponsor
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