7 Laws of Comedy Writing
Writing humor is subjective and challengingthankfully, there are many ways to create it. How to Write Funny provides advice, insights and humor from more that twenty writers with a gift for making readers laugh
Most people think they're funny just like most people think their own political views are correct or all brides are beautiful. If you've ever seen wedding photos in the paper or watched C-Span, well, now that's funny! But it's OK, even if you can't tell a joke. "Ve have vays of making you funny!" Just out from Writer's Digest books, How To Write Funny, edited by John Kachuba. Some of the biggest names in humor and literature share their thoughts on what is funny.
Sherman Alexie talks about perspective. Bill Bryson talks about how a "funny person notices something that we've all kind of noticed subliminally but never actually put our finger on." Jennifer Crusie speaks specifically to writing romantic comedy for women. Add a little Andrei Codrescu, a pinch of Tom Bodett, a smidgen of Roy Blount, Jr. and a dab of Melissa Bank (plus another 20 noted and very funny authors) and you have the makings of either a very serious discussion on humor or a very odd stew filled with authors.
You may not knock 'em dead at the water cooler or leave them laughing at the family picnic, but How To Write Funny will teach you how to bring humor into your writing from some of the best in the business.
Here are the 7 Laws of Comedy Writing according to television writer David Evans. Among others, he has written for The Monkees and The Cosby Show.
- Be able to throw out your best joke.
- If you don't laugh, nobody else will.
- Character is 98 percent of comedy...
- ...And timing is the other 98 percent.
- The power of the step sheet.
- Hold the jokes!
- Turn off your TV!
Learn more about How To Write Funny ($18.99).
