 Comedy: January 06, 2016 Issue [#7409] |
  Comedy
This week: The Flip Side of Funny Edited by: Cinn  
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It has been a long while since I had the pleasure of writing a Comedy newsletter (about five months to the day, in fact). I do believe that it was my first ever newsletter too! I am quite sure that I had some grand scheme in mind when I offered to write this one, but I am not entirely sure what that might have been. Luckily, I have another idea cooked up just for all of you: the flip side of funny characters!
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A variety of unrelated things seem to have inspired today's newsletter. Strangely, part of that mishmash of details was Dean Winchester, a character from the addictive but ridiculous TV show Supernatural.  For those who have not seen it, this is the character who, more often than not, breaks the tension when things get too emotional. For instance, a man is distraught that he killed a man while possessed, and he is traumatized and shocked. He stammers: "I shot the sheriff..."
And, as one might suspect at this point, Dean Winchester pauses for a beat before adding, "But you didn't shoot the deputy." If this joke is lost on you, trust me when I say that it is an amusing if groan-worthy punchline. 
Most of us have written characters like this at one point or another. They turn everything into a joke and laugh off their cares. One of my favorite characters ever appearing in my own work was this type of wise-cracking guy who you wanted to hug and slap simultaneously, but for some reason, he seemed a bit one-dimensional to me.
A few days ago, it dawned on me that I didn't have a backstory for that character. Why was he funny? What drove him to use humor so frequently? I actually had no idea. He was just that funny side character to me. Do you know the answers to these questions for your more amusing protagonists and sidekicks?
We have all seen examples of people who use humor to cover something darker. John Belushi, Chris Farley, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor... I could go on and on listing extremely funny people who have self-destructed. There was more to them than just the jokes on the surface because they were human beings. If you want your characters to seem real on the page, they need to be well-rounded as well.
So the next time you write a much-loved comedic character, put him through the ringer first. Why is this character funny? Perhaps he or she was bullied and used humor to deflect. Maybe their home life was terrible, and they used comedy to distract angry parents. Or perhaps they use jokes as a shield because they suffer from a fear of rejection or some other sort of insecurity, like the previously mentioned Dean Winchester. If you find the reason, your character will still get laughs and break the tension when needed, but readers might just care about them as well.
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Have you ever written a tragic but funny character?  How much backstory do you know for your comedic sidekicks? Do you prefer funny protagonists over funny side characters?
  
My last article for the Comedy newsletter was about using comedy as a writing technique, and I asked: "When do you think it is appropriate to use sarcasm and/or snarkiness in your writing? Do you ever find it funny?" Here are some responses:
Hi Cinnamon! Your point about subtle humor is well taken. All your examples are funny because they show your own personal humor and quirkiness. It's your genuine voice and a delight to read. And never think you're not qualified to write a newsletter even if you don't normally write the genre. Most of us experiment and write in different genres, and everyone's opinion is more than welcome. Thanks for the great NL! 
~ Laura (aka LJPC - the tortoise  )
I took your advice and experimented with pretty interesting results! I'm now an editor for the Action/Adventure newsletter, a genre that I've never written (though I intend to remedy that soon). Thanks for the advice, and I'm glad that the newsletter amused you!
I loved this. I learned more about using comedy that I had ever thought of. Yes, Cinn, you do have laughable lines and phrases in your poetry and definitely in your story TELLING............If you could capture your 'story TELLING' in written form, you could have the Readers laughing all the way to the bathroom............I know for sure  I'm glad you decided to write your thoughts about writing to make the reader grin, smile, laugh aloud. ~Ann (aka ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy )
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Ann! I suppose that I do have my moments. After all, who doesn't love a funny story? Some people just see the humor in anything, I guess!
There's always an appropriate time to use sarcasm, snarkiness and most types of humor in writing. It usually depends upon the character you've chosen to make and how they deal with the people around them. I've met people who use humor as a defense mechanism. It can be off-putting to those who don't know them, but for those who do it can be a time to lighten the mood. ~ Elfin Dragon-finally published 
Oh, and look at this! Your comment ties together my last newsletter and the current newsletter. It is interesting to learn why people use humor the way they do. I have to say that I agree with you as well... sometimes a well-placed sarcastic or snarky remark hits just the right note, in my opinion.  |
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