 Comedy: June 08, 2011 Issue [#4434] |
  Comedy
This week: What's the Secret to Writing Comedy? Edited by: Lornda  
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Hi, I'm Lornda , this week's guest editor. Comedy is an effective writing tool to entertain readers. It can bolster the quality of your story, but sometimes it can be difficult to pull off. This issue highlights the many elements of successful comedic writing, but one key component is more important than the rest.
"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out my nose."~ Woody Allen
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What's the Secret to Writing Comedy?
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make your readers laugh. Mission impossible? Maybe in your mind--but by following a few simple guidelines and most importantly, this number one rule, you too can make this mission possible!
Like any writing, comedic writing requires practice. What's funny to one person might not be to another. Yet, we are all conditioned to laugh at something silly or absurd. So, what can YOU do to make your readers laugh? Before we get to the secret number one rule, let's review four main tips to pump up any mediocre storyline.
Select a type of comedy: Decide what subgenre you want to write and stick with it--failure to do so will confuse your readers. Listed below are a few examples, along with a couple of movies to visualize the various forms of comedy.
 Slapstick: Caddyshack & Ace Ventura, Pet Detective
Parody: Young Frankenstein & Austin Power Movies
Dark/Black: Fargo & Dr. Strangelove
Family: Disney Movies & Home Alone
Military: M*A*S*H & Tropic Thunder
Horror: Beetlejuice & Zombieland
Action: Rush Hour & Beverly Hills Cop
Dramedy: Little Miss Sunshine & Lost in Translation
Romantic: Roman Holiday & When Harry Met Sally
Fantasy: The Princess Bride & Night at the Museum
Exaggerate: Zoom in on the silliness of a situation. How can you accomplish this task? Try using hyperboles, similes, and metaphors--they can transform any dull piece of literature and let your readers laugh. We hear these gems everyday! For example:
Hyperboles: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." "He is older than the hills." Or "They ran like "greased
lightning."
Similes: "Sits there like a bump on a log." "Stood out like a sore thumb" Or "Easy as pie."
Metaphor: "It is raining cats and dogs." "He has a heart of gold." Or "She is the apple of my eye."
Get the idea? Of course, you would want to create your own to keep the story fresh and original. Sprinkle these little gems carefully and your comedic writing will shine!
 Use caution with exaggeration--it can be tricky and going overboard will overwhelm your reader.
Conflict: Comedy loves conflict, so play on the obstacles. Some claim anger is the center of comedy. Does this mean you're an enraged psycho if you write comedy? No. Humans find conflict funny. An episode of the Three Stooges is a prime example of conflict. Why? Because they play on a major hurdle of an everyday situation. The results are humorous--a bunch of angry guys slapping, arguing, yelling, and kicking each other--reminds me of my last family reunion. The best way to show the conflict and the extent of this type of comedy is to check an episode out  Pull a Tooth Episode To incorporate this tip, find the conflict and complicate the obstacles to death!
Rule of Three: It's a mystery why this tip works in comedy. For some reason, a list of three items sticks in our heads instead of a cluster of them. Here's proof: "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" "Blood, sweat and tears" Or "Stop, Look and Listen" Even some jokes have three characters: "There was a redhead, a brunette and a blonde. . . etc. When using this tip in your stories, remember to make the third part of the list the most exaggerated. For example:
My mother's idea of a healthy snack consists of potato chips, a brick of cheese, and Oreo cookies with a Coke chaser.
Notice the third part of that sentence--it's the most exaggerated--cookies with Coke!
The above tips are good, but one key rule is missing to complete your mission! So, what's the secret?
~Make yourself laugh~ 
Ask yourself this important question, what makes YOU laugh? A show on TV? Someone you observed while shopping for carrots? How about books, movies, or your own near catastrophe? Humorous situations can develop everyday, so notice what others miss and learn from your own reactions. You've had a funny bone since you were four-months-old--it's ingrained in you--so keep a note of the funny details no matter how small. You never know where you'll find inspiration to write something humorous!
To liven up a character or scene, infuse the humor from your observations into a story. Read it to a family member or friend and see if they laugh--and if they don't, get a new family and friend. Remember, you can't use 'sort of funny'--it doesn't work--toss it out and try again--keep practicing with different situations until it works and has YOU laughing!
Mission complete!
This newsletter will self-destruct in five seconds.
Write on and laugh!
~Lornda
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If you need some inspiration to start writing comedy or want to stretch your funny bone, consider entering the "The Writer's Cramp" . Below are a few entries that made me laugh!
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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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Thanks to everyone who entered the 'Comedy Challenge' ! Your comeback lines were hilarious and many of you had similiar answers. It was very hard to select a winner--so there are two! They both receive a 'Funny' merit badge! Way to go!
jackhammer: Princess Leia talking to Luke: "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"
"Hey sister, back off, I broke a perfectly good pair of heels getting here. Wait till I tell dad what you said."
And
Smiling Jack  : Princess Leia talking to Luke: "Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?"
Luke: "Never. I always carry extra cash.'"
Leia:"I meant height-wise."
Luke: "Never. I always wear high heels."
Leia: "Isn't that cheating"
Luke "Never! All's fair in love and storm trooping."
Below are the rest of the entries. Enjoy!
dmack : Luke's reply: "Not when I wear my stilettos."
Fredmom : Luke: "Aren't you a little big to have those kind of buns?"
allenalien : Luke: "If we're talking job suitability, shouldn't you be on a leash?"
Maryann  : Luke: "They send me out during sun showers."
Or Luke: "They heard the great snow white was in town, so they thought she'd feel more comfortable with a dwarf."
LJPC - the tortoise : Luke: "Yeah . . . I'm a Light-Drizzle Trooper."
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  : Luke: (Turns around) "Okay, I'll leave then."
Thanks for the comments on my last newsletter: "Keeping Your Readers Entertained" 
billwilcox: Superb! Comic Relief, even in serious writings, is a must. Great job, Lornda
Maryann : Great newsletter, Lornda! I actually read the whole thing, so I guess you were the example of entertainment.
LJPC - the tortoise : Hi Lornda!
I loved your comedy newsletter about how any story or film could be more entertaining if it had comedy in it -- even if it's just some witty repartee. I couldn't agree with you more. Comedy makes any story sweeter - even a dark horror story. Great NL, and thanks for highlighting my story. 
-- Laura
eyestar~* : Lornda, this is absolutely delightful! I loved how you show comic relief is used in blockbusters. Some of my favs are mentioned! And you are right about it's use, even Shakespeare had his jokes! I liked the snippets of stories you added and want to go read them. Good little challenge at the end. Thanks for the entertainment. Well conceived and acheived first newsletter! 
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