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"I had thought — I had been told — that a 'funny' thing is a thing of a goodness. It isn't. Not ever is it funny to the person it happens to. Like that sheriff without his pants. The goodness is in the laughing itself. I grok it is a bravery... and a sharing... against pain and sorrow and defeat."
- Valentine Michael Smith
(Robert Heinlein,
Stranger in a Strange Land) |
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I don't feel much like being funny, today.
Unfortunately for me, that's my job, and I knew going into this newsletter thing that I'd have to force myself to be funny, like it or not, every four weeks or so.
Well - technically - I don't have to be funny at all. I could deliver a dry, academic lecture on the uses and value of humor in society, or a comparison between 19th and 20th century comedic forms, or... hey, wait, don't leave! I was just kidding!
So, okay, you're a humorist on a deadline, and you simply have to come up with something laugh-worthy - better yet, sidesplittingly hilarious - on a deadline. What do you do?
Comedy just seems to come naturally to some people; they don't have to work very hard at it at all. I've known people like that all my life. I simultaneously hated them for being funnier than I was and hung around them to see if some of the humor-cooties would rub off on me.
I like to think some of them did, but I still have to work on it.
The best humorists, though, are the ones who work hard at it, yet make it look effortless. In that sense, comics are a lot like dancers and musicians, only not as fit as dancers, and the ability to carry a tune is optional.
When I find myself at a loss for material, I find the worst thing to do is to view something funny. This seems counterintuitive, but I don't get ideas from comedy - though I love to read or watch it, funny stuff doesn't make me want to write funny stuff; it just makes me want to laugh.
The best thing to do - for me - is to just write. Soon enough, I start to look at what I'm writing from all kinds of different angles, like a trigonometry teacher on a bender. That's when I start making connections that, maybe, weren't there before. The second best thing to do is to talk to people who aren't funny.
I'm not naming names, here, but you all know someone who's not funny (hopefully, it's not me). These folks are great sources for material, because they'll say stuff in all seriousness that ends up being funny as hell. Most politicians fall into this category - they have speech writers that prompt them to say funny stuff in speeches, but get them to talk extemporaneously, and they're practically guaranteed to provide comic fodder for a week. Or TSA officials in airports - they have their senses of humor surgically removed during training, so they're easy targets. Of JOKES, that is. And not practical ones, unless you want a vacation in Cuba.
So where do you turn when you just don't feel like being funny? |
However they might have been inspired, here's a few hammers for your funny bone:
And here's a group especially for aspiring and accomplished comedy writers - tough crowd, but take a look!
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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!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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MAILBAG
Starr* Rathburn  writes:
I wanted to suggest an item or two from this writer's port, because he really knows how to make people laugh with his writing. However, the more stuff I read from his folder "Fiction", the harder it was to decide which one I should suggest! So I finally decided to link to the entire folder, so that the editors can chose for themselves. Enjoy! I certainly did.
Definitely worth a look, Starr* Rathburn ! So here's the folder:
My last newsletter, on Halloween pranks, inspired some comments:
The Milkman  - I really enjoyed reading you newsletter. It had everything that I was looking, except for the new ideas on pranks...lol. Thanks for making me laugh and the history on Halloween
Hey, Moo, we don't need to be giving you truck drivers any more ideas!
billwilcox - Right on, Robert! Cheers to you for putting the 'holi' back in the Holidays....and uh...the 'mayo' back in the naise?
And thank YOU, Bill, for putting the 'hum' back in 'humor'! 
Seisa-sleepingcatbooks.com - "...maybe I'll write a long essay on the various types of humor and the psychological background required to- oooh shiny!"
Okay, I laughed out loud, at my desk, at work!
We aim to please. And if you spit soda out your nose while laughing at one of my attempts at jokes, please grab the trashcan and you aim too, please!
Acme - Thanks for another humourous and insightful read - does the 'egg thing' actually, really occur? I thought it was an Urban Legend... 
Well, that depends, Acme... on how long the statute of limitations runs. I'll check with my crack legal team and get back to you!
Tehanu - My dad and I were actually discussing this very topic on Halloween! He was impressed that the neighborhood kids hadn't egged any cars in a few years and wondered if it was a generational thing (like they hadn't heard of scrambled vandalism). But he also considered the possiblity that video games were to blame, rotting the planning and execution portion of young minds as the candy bars and tootsie pops rot teeth.
But, usually it does all come down to money, doesn't it?
BTW, props for using Harry Potter street names in your magical example. 
I knew video games would save humanity! Rot their minds so they don't rotten-egg my car!
Cyanvia - Hello! I've read it and although I wasn't used to dark comedy, I still feel you tips will help me in the future. Thanks!
Err... What is Hummers? Who's Klingon?
Okay, I think that was from my second-to-last newsletter, but: a) a Hummer is a monstrous car... er, truck... er, SUV... er... TANK that infests the roads of America. They get like 33 gallons to the mile, and as such are a status symbol of conspicuous consumption. I have five, myself. b) A Klingon is one of a race of aliens formerly bent on conquering the Galaxy, but currently cute and fuzzy. They are excellent philosophers.
ReJoyce and Smile more! - let's see... carry the three... <<Now THAT'S funny.
I enjoyed the comedy but I must confess, I've laughed watching someone stumbling down the steps. Of course guilt followed. I love slapstick, the Three Stooges and Laurel & Hardy, so falling down is peanuts. ...OnWords..Shirl
In the immortal words of Meat Loaf, Shirl: "If you want my views on history then there's something you should know / The three men I admire most are Curly, Larry and Moe!" Nyuk nyuk nyuk. Wise guy, eh?
Thanks for your feedback, everyone! No, I'm not sure what I'll write about next month, either - but I do take requests!
LAUGH ON! |
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Comedy: November 28, 2007 Issue [#2083]
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