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How To Make Your Writing (Or Life) Funnier
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items Adding a little humor can make a piece of good writing into something great, and also make it more memorable. Even serious things. Trust me on this. Here are some great strategies!
If you just want to understand how a joke works (and therefore write one of your own) check out this adorable book on joke writing for kids.
Lol 101: A Kid's Guide to Writing Jokes a book by David Roth and Rinee Shah
Judy Carter is brilliant and she really can teach anyone to write a joke, because deep inside, we're all funny. Here's how to create a comparison joke.
37 The Comparison Joke Formula
This podcast is no longer updating but if you're looking for nuts and bolts info on making things funnier and maybe even building a career out of it) there is some great content here. I don't agree with Judy's cohost about some of his “hot takes” abo...
The Power of Purpose Podcast with Judy Carter
Tips for a very specific genre (not just the sitcom, the sitcome pilot) that also contains some gems for all of us NOT writing a sitcom pilot.
How Can I Make My Pilot Sitcom Script FUNNIER?
The How To Write Funny podcast stopped well, podcasting a year ago but their back catalog is definitely worth digging into. This is an excellent episode on writing satire.
How to Write Funny podcast, Episode 36: How to Write Satire
This is an interesting writing exercise for its own sake, almost like comedy writing calisthenics!
Taking 1 Word and Making it Funny
This is a great video from Jerry Corley about finding ways to create and then relieve tension to create humor, especially in public speaking (but not humor/comedy specific) arenas.
4 Humor Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Presenters to Unlock Laughter
These are some easy strategies for both writing comedy for its own sake (ie stand up comedy) or punching up other material.
How To Write Stand Up Comedy - 20 TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Don't watch this one without a pen and notebook-he goes through some joke and humor writing strategies very quickly!
Jerry Corleys 9 Psychological Laugh Triggers and 13 Comedy Structure
We probably need a different name for these, but they are an excellent way to create improv or creative games for groups that might make them laugh. Instead of the “fortune” inside, use writing/humor creation prompts.
Paper Fortune Teller / Cootie Catcher - How To | DoYouRemember?
This isn't the easiest book in the world to read, but it's got some commentary on humor creation and the use of humor that I really haven't seen anywhere else, mostly about the morality of humor and our responses to it.
Wisecracks: Humor and Morality in Everyday Life
It's a deceptively simple humor tip--don't start out trying to be funny, start out trying to solve a problem!
How to Write a Joke - Anatomy of a Joke 2
I appreciate this breakdown. I also appreciate my former self for realizing I might be at the pinnacle of my profession's success if I was writing for SNL, but it doesn't mean I would be happy. This all sounds hella nerve-wracking.
Beck Bennett breaks down 'SNL' sketch writing process
I'm actually not great at one-liners, so I'm studying this particular video myself. They come in handy. One liners that is.
HOW TO WRITE ONE LINER JOKES -
This is an interesting take of what makes people laugh and not laugh at specific jokes. “you will fail will some of your audience all the time” is really good advice!
The Comic Toolbox
Even if you're not trying to write a one person show, this is a great structure for not taking forever to get a bigger project done. PS always make the poster first and book the theater. then you have to write the show.
How To Write a 1 Person Show in 30 Days
Some great strategies like “ask your friends, what's the silliest thing I've ever done”
how to be funny