  Comedy
This week: In Your Face! Edited by: Kit  
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The written word doesn't come with a laughter track, but that does not mean that it isn't possible to try too hard.
This week's Comedy Newsletter is all about different types of humour.
Your guest editor - Kit |
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If you're anything like me, you'll enjoy different styles of comedy. I enjoy subtle wordplay, good old satire, understated humour, and I am definitely not above laughing at “oh-my-goodness-I-have-just-blocked-the-toilet-at-the-home-of-the-parents-of-the-woman-I-fancy, now-what-do-I-do” Dumb and Dumber kind of scenarios. That's probably because a part of me has never matured beyond poo and pee jokes.
What I struggle with, however, are comedies that are too in your face. Comedies that spell out very clearly that this is funny. You should laugh now. I mean it, this is the time to laugh. Right now. We've even added a laughter track to indicate that laughter is intended here. Why aren't you laughing?
Thankfully, the written word doesn't come with a laughter track, but that does not mean that it isn't possible to try too hard. It's not a smart move to underestimate the intelligence of one's readers, nor should it be forgotten that what is funny is subjective. Some people laugh at seeing another person fall flat on their face, whilst others are concerned and/or feel that leaving a banana skin on the pavement is highly irresponsible behaviour.
When comedy writing feels forced, it stops being amusing. When the author attempts to squeeze in joke after joke in a seeming attempt to be the funniest writer ever, the reader can become tired of all the “hilarity” and close the book. They might never open it again.
As with so many things in life, balance is key. A touch of humour is welcome in even the darkest novel, whilst good comedy writing needs to be more than a series of obvious jokes to be a success.
Those who know me, or who have read my newsletters, know that I have a huge respect for Terry Pratchett. One of the reasons for my admiration is that his novels contain so much more than comic scenarios. He was a master at using language in creative ways. Some of his humour was so subtle that it may only be discovered upon a second, third or even fourth read, but then it's like finding a hidden gem. He made me laugh during the most rotten times of my life, and that takes skill. It wasn't even just a smile, or a snort, or a small chuckle, but a proper laugh. That is something that in your face comedy shows, movies or novels never manage to achieve.
How do you cater to an audience whose sense of humour may be triggered by a wide variety of things, yet might find an equally wide variety of things deeply unfunny as well? A starting point is always to consider what makes you laugh. It is your story or novel, after all, and if you wouldn't enjoy your own work, there isn't much of a point in writing it.
From there, you can consider what many other people appear to find amusing. See if there are similarities. Figure out definite no-nos – for example, there may be people who find racist jokes, or torture, or animal cruelty the height of entertainment, but you will be severely limiting your readership there. Unless you are writing satire, I suppose. But if you're not, I'd stay well clear of anything that's deeply unpleasant to most.
To connect with your readers, it helps to add scenarios that people will recognise. Scenarios in which they have either found themselves in already, or can envision finding themselves in. Whilst there surely will be people who would laugh out loud picturing themselves at the Small Endoovien on the Hill of Esciree and being so silly as to have folded the third crease of their Denti to the left rather than to the right, something slightly more recognisable is likely to get you further, even in a completely made up world with a very different type of society.
There will always be some who don't get it. Just like I don't get the in your face stuff. That's fine. You can always try out your work on some select W.Com members, though. If they don't crack a smile, you have some rewrites ahead. If you can get a giggle out of them, at the very least, you are on the right track.
Good luck!
Kit
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Here are some of the latest additions to the Comedy genre:
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Some contests that might inspire you:
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Don't forget:
Do something nice for another author - it's free and only takes a moment!
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The Comedy Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Comedy Newsletter Team
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Comedy: April 27, 2016 Issue [#7615]
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