  Comedy
This week: Edited by: SophyBells  
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I'm SophyBells ~ your Host this week for the Comedy Newsletter, where we'll talk about the art of sprinkling some comedy into our dramatic writing. |
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Sprinkling Comedy into Drama
I received the following comment from Mikita  in response to my last newsletter:
I always read the comedy newsletter ASAP when it comes to my inbox. I like to sprinkle some comedy into my novel to break up the tension. Usually it is situational comedy, sometimes because of a dumb character's questions... Since this is a writing site, I'd like to see more "How to" on writing comedy if anyone has any on the site ... especially within a serious work. It's an elusive genre.
Thank you, Mikita, for your thoughtful comment and idea to deal with in the Comedy Newsletter. I decided to take up your suggestion in this issue of the newsletter not because I have all of the answers by any means, but I do have some ideas about this subject. And perhaps others who read this newsletter will be able to offer additional ideas in response, which I'll include in my next issue.
My first piece of advice is this: I know what I like to read, and serious novels that maintain a sense of humor within the writing are always among my favorites. Take The World According to Garp, for instance. It turns out to be a pretty serious book, but includes many funny scenes scattered throughout it. Same with another John Irving book, A Prayer for Owen Meany. A very serious theme, but it is also filled with several "laugh-out-loud" scenes. So my first suggestion, which is a pretty universal one I advise all writers to do, is READ. The best writers are usually the most voracious readers. So grab some stories or novels and see how the pros do it, as a first source of inspiration.
Secondly, real life has its ups and downs, good times and bad. I know from my own experiences that even in the darkest of times humor can usually be found somewhere, and it is the lifeline that keeps us going. When my father was dying several years ago, it was obviously a very difficult time for me and my family. I lived at my parent's home during the last weeks of his life to help take care of him with my mother and sister, and while we obviously shared some very tough days, there was also a lot of laughter going on. We laughed about silly the things we said or did, about memories we shared with each other, and about the surreal situation we found ourselves facing and the issues it raised. There were even some days we laughed more than we cried, which was a blessing -- and a gift of human nature. Our writing should reflect that reality.
Hard Laughter by Anne Lamott is a novel based on experiences Anne had when her father was dying, and includes the perfect blend of the reality and difficulty of losing someone we love with the humor that is often inherent in those situations. So take a look around you -- remember the laughter and humor you found even in the most difficult of situations. And use those experiences from your own life when you add some comedy into your serious writing. As with all writing, YOU are usually the best source for how to sprinkle comedy into your dramatic writing. Keep a journal, write down thing that strike you funny -- and work them into your writing.
Finally, I would suggest that you be authentic. If a scene you are writing would benefit from a dash of comedy, whether it be a slight smile or belly laugh, go ahead and add something. Just make it real and not forced, something that would naturally occur. And don't feel that you always have to add something to break the tension. Sometimes tension doesn't need to be broken, but if it would enhance the scene, then include something amusing that would likely happen. For instance, if you are writing about a heated argument between lovers, one of them may try to leave the room in anger and the doorknob falls off when they try to slam the door. Or they trip over the cat. A serious situation, with a realistic pratfall to lighten the moment, and may even cause your characters to smile and break the tension between them.
So, here are my ideas, in a nutshell:
 READ voraciously -- see how other authors use humor within drama.
Look around you at real life and use those true experiences.
Be authentic; use humor when it fits or makes sense, but don't force it or make it unrealistic.
And here are some other sources that might help:
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In conclusion I'll just add that using humor in our non-comedy writing can make it easier for people to connect with the story we are telling and its characters. It can be done in a variety of ways, including creating comical characters or amusing situations, and there are different types of humor that can make your dramatic writing grab someone with a humorous twist. Sarcasm, irony, and puns are just some of the common tools of the comedy trade, and remember that with comedy, timing is everything!
I'd love to hear from others of you with practical suggestions and ideas for Mikita . You can do so by submitting a response to this newsletter, and I'll make sure to include them next time.
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Here are some items from around the site that employ both Drama and Comedy -- if you enjoy them, please let the author know by reviewing and rating the piece! 
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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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Here are the responses to my last newsletter about Reality TV.
From Hannah
Sophy--
I am so sorry to hear that you, like me, suffer from the very serious reality of addiction to reality shows. I suggest that you tune into "Celebrity Rehab" on VH1 to help you deal with these issues.
Just kidding! :D But I do, like you have a problem with reality shows, and have been watching more and more (like Crowned *shudder*) in this horrible time we call the writer's strike.
Although, they do provide great comedic fodder for us non-striking writers and for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, who are thankfully back on the air.
THANK YOU!! Until I read your comment, I didn't know Stewart and Colbert were back. I only knew about Letterman and Leno at that point.
And thank you for your comment, and for sharing my pain! 
  
From Acme
Thanks for another funny read, with some smashing links to writers works on this addictive area of TV viewing. 
You are most welcome -- glad you enjoyed it! "=D
From Davina
Well Sophy, I think I can make you feel better. I too have an addiction and it is called America's Next Top Model. I'm willing to admit to my problem, but I'm not willing to seek treatment yet. Maybe after a few more seasons!
At least you only one one Reality TV show addiction, right? Or maybe that's the only one you were willing to share, haha! I hear a lot about ANTM, but have never watched it myself, tho it sounds wonderful! I'm just not sure I can add any more to my plate right now, especially with Big Brother and Survivor starting up again soon!
From Kraken through the Snow 
Wow, Sophy, they're bringing back The Mole? I miss that show! I'm a fan of many of the reality game shows, but my group of friends in high school, who didn't generally share that interest, watched that one, and we even devised a competition where we made two guesses at who was the Mole each week, and whoever guessed the mole correctly the most times won. Those of us who watch reality TV usually need to have a sense of humor about ourselves, but there are also some truly smart, creative reality shows that are no less innovative than scripted fare. Speaking of which, fans of the Emmy Award-winning Amazing Race may be interested in checking out "The Amazing Race Club" [E].
Yes to "The Mole!" I loved that show, especially the Celebrity editions. And the best part was Anderson Cooper. But now that he's a respected CNN journalist, I'm guessing they will have to find a new host, lol. And I agree, there are some really creative and interesting reality shows out there -- but then Fox comes up with "Moment of Truth" and I have to hang my head in shame again (even though I didn't watch it)!
Thanks for the link to the Amazing Race forum, I'll have to check it out during the next race!
From fleckgirl
Sophy-I have to admit that I share your addiction, but unlike you, I don't even feel bad about it. I stopped watching Survivor, but American Idol & Big Brother-I'm hooked. And now you tell me there's a winter version due to the strike? I miss some of my favorite shows, but until they can figure it out, I'll settle in for a few doses of reality TV for now... maybe that will cause someone to think outside the box & resolve the strike already! If not, well, I will have learned how someone, otherwise un-famous, landed a part to stay in a house full of strangers & drank, slept & fought for several months in an effort to make $500K-Kinda makes me wanna re-think my job! LOL
Thanks again for a very entertaining newsletter SophY - keep up the good work!
Fleck
Glad you enjoyed it, Fleck -- thank you for your kind words. I have mixed feelings about the Winter Edition of Big Brother. It's bad enough that I give up so much of my summer to watch those idiots, but now they are going to tempt me back over to the dark wide with an extra winter cast?!?! It doesn't bode well for me!
From alanscott
Hi, Sophy! I enjoyed your newsletter on Reality TV. I have to admit that I am addicted to Project Runway and Top Chef! If you have a newsletter on sarcasm, I submitted an item for your consideration.
Thanks!
Scott
Thanks Scott -- I'll keep your item in mind for a future newsletter!
From tosca
Aagh, missed opportunity for my 'reality TV' take 'Catch A Falling Star'.Maybe next time?
Or maybe this time! Here's a link to your item for everyone to check out!"Invalid Item"
That's all for now! Until next time, and on behalf of your other brilliant Comedy Newsletter Editors Melissa is fashionably late! and Waltz Invictus  -- LAUGH ON! |
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Comedy: January 30, 2008 Issue [#2197]
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