 Comedy: August 31, 2011 Issue [#4594] |
  Comedy
This week: The Importance of Laughter Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Some people think that in order to be taken seriously, you have to create serious art. This means that even in the comedy genre, writers feel they must write something serious - dark humour, cynical humour, a novel that displays their intellectual superiority.
There's nothing wrong with that, really, but in this week's newsletter let's celebrate all styles of comedy. Laughter is important. The world needs it.
kittiara |
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Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it. – Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett
Darkness is a great time for comedy. It’s when we’re feeling down and gloomy that we really appreciate the power of laughter. Even a giggle will do. And there’s nothing wrong with a smile. A smile is better than sitting in a corner with a duvet wrapped around us and a crumpled up hanky in our hands, because we can’t stop crying. At least, that’s how I see it.
Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels have been my faithful companions through several darker moments. Those novels never fail to make me smile. I remember one night when I was so upset that I couldn’t even sleep. I curled up on the sofa with my book and that helped me get through to the morning, when I finally drifted off.
Some people underestimate the comedy genre. Such people think that in order to be a serious writer you have to be, well, serious, and write serious stuff. Sarcasm and cynicism are alright. Lashing out at other people in order to display your own intellectual superiority is fine, too. But actual ha-ha-style comedy? It’s not that easy to get credit for making people laugh, and that’s a shame.
Comedy writers are valuable. Comedy is valuable. That doesn’t mean that all comedy writers are good and that all comedy is actually funny, but without humour the world would be a gloomy place indeed.
The sun rose slowly, as if it wasn't sure it was worth all the effort. ~ The Light Fantastic, Terry Pratchett
Humour is, of course, subjective. Some people like it subtle and delicate, whilst others like the pie-in-face variety. Some like it dark and twisted, some like the lighthearted touch, and yes, there is room for the sarcasm, the cynicism and the type of humour that’s so clever that it takes ages to work out what’s funny about it.
I personally like a bit of all the above. Pratchett, to stick with my example, has an amazing insight into human nature, and he has a wonderful way with words. I would have chosen some of my favourite quotes to accompany this newsletter, but unfortunately those quotes aren’t suitable for all readers so I thought it best to stay clear.
Whatever style, or combination of styles, you favour, there is bound to be an audience for it as long as you know how to write. Like any genre, it takes practice and feedback from others to hone your skills. Does it make you laugh? Good! Does it make other people laugh? Excellent!
Darkness isn't the opposite of light, it is simply its absence. ~ The Light Fantastic, Terry Pratchett
I can only speak of my 37 years on this planet, but I’ve come to realise that darkness sells. When I watch the news, it’s usually made up of depressing stories and general bad stuff. Newspapers are no better and even the tabloids are full of what we’re supposed to be instead of what we are. Light stories are far and few between.
Yet there’s a need for the light. There’s a need for laughter and fun. For all the serious material on the Internet, the popularity of sites like lolcats is indisputable.
Destiny was funny stuff, he knew. You couldn't trust it. Often you couldn't even see it. Just when you knew you had it cornered, it turned out to be something else — coincidence, maybe, or providence. ~ Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett
If you’re wondering why, in my clumsy way, I’m trying to encouraging you to write comedy, it’s probably a good idea to tell you about my reason for this editorial. As your guest editor this week, I fully intended to write something funny, entertaining, amusing, witty… you know, do my job the way I am supposed to. And then the news reached me that my father had passed away. I suddenly didn’t feel that humorous. How was I supposed to make people laugh when I felt like curling up in the abovementioned duvet clutching that hanky? How was I supposed to write anything at all? I felt more suited to the drama genre, so it seemed like an odd twist of fate that I happened to be scheduled for the comedy newsletter.
Pondering what to write about made me remember the importance of this genre. It made me appreciate those who can make me laugh. It made me realise how bleak life would be without moments of lightness, and where we would be without a good chuckle.
So yes, keep writing. Keep making the world smile, no matter what. If darkness is the absence of light, let’s never run out of candles.
kittiara |
In this week's comedy newsletter I've decided to highlight some of our latest comedy pieces. 
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Seeing as I am only a guest editor, there are no questions for me to answer, or comments to respond to. However, comments, questions and suggestions are always welcome, so please don't hesitate to write in!
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Comedy Newsletter team:
Sophurky  , Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ  , Robert Waltz  , and your guest editor kittiara |
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