Humor in Nonfiction
Eat Your Words: Your 8-Point Checklist for Writing Original Recipes
Food writer, cook, and committed vegan Peggy Brusseau explains how you can craft a cookbook that engages your reader and stands out from the crowd.
Writing Humor in Uncertain Times
How can you find the funny in the world today? Cartoonist and humorist Bob Eckstein has advice for writing humor in uncertain times.
5 Tips for Adding Humor to a Self-Help Book
Self-help books should be helpful, but bestsellers tend to offer humor too. Here are five tips for adding humor to a self-help book.
Jerry Seinfeld's 5-Step Comedy Writing Process
Former WD staffer Jess Zafarris crossed paths with Jerry Seinfeld, who shared his comedy writing process. His tips are not only useful for aspiring standup comedians, but also have broader applications for writers looking to add comedic elements to their own work.
Comedy Writers and Satirists of the #MeToo Movement
In this second in a series about the impact of the #MeToo movement on how and what women write, Leigh Anne Jasheway focuses on women who write and publish comedy and satire.
How to Transform Funny Stories into Comedy Writing Gold
Stephen Rosenfield shares three tips on taking a funny, real-life story and using it as the inspiration to write comedy for your audience, including examples of how others do it.
18 Tips for Aspiring TV Comedy and Joke Writers
These are some strategies I’ve come up with after more than 25 years as a TV writer to break into the television industry.
10 Questions with Humor Writer Dan Zevin, Author of Dan Gets a Minivan
As part of my 10 Questions Series, humorist Dan Zevin took a minute to talk with me and answer 10 fascinating questions about humor writing—covering the writing process, finding an agent, important advice for aspiring humor writers and more—that anyone who has ever considered writing humor should check out.
Humor Writing Basics (& a List of Funny Words)
Writing "funny" isn't easy. It's a skilled labor that can drive even the calmest of writers crazy. I've been writing my parenting humor blog, The Life of Dad (you should totally check it out!), for more than five years and I can tell you that I've lost quite a bit of sleep over things as simple as word choice (Should I use the word "rope," or is "duct tape" funnier?). I have permanent lumps on my head from banging it against the wall in frustration. And I'm convinced it's the number one reason I'm going bald. Read on for some excellent resources on humor writing.
A List of Funny Words to Help You Writing Funnier Stories
Some words just make us laugh, even though we might not consciously know why. Try using one of these time-tested terms when it fits.