Julie Moffett | Writing Humor
November 2, 2010
Writing humor is not for the faint of heart. It is a difficult task for anyone –
stand-up comics, sit-com writers and even those who produce comic strips.
However, humor writing is the hardest for the novel writer because body
language, facial expressions, tone of voice, funny drawings, and sound tracks
are not available for use. Novel writers are slaves to the power of their words.
The problem inherent to writing humor is that everyone has a different idea of
what constitutes a funny situation. You, as the writer, can’t tell someone what
is funny. Each person is unique and therefore, has a different sense of humor.
There are even some people who have no sense of humor at all (I refer to them
as humor-challenged). You have to realize you can’t please everyone, so you
have to write what makes you laugh.
How can you effectively use humor in your writing? One way is to
make an ordinary situation extraordinary. Shake things up with a surprise
situation or an unexpected result to an otherwise normal day. Play with words
by using metaphors, similes, irony or satire. Bring misunderstandings to the
forefront of the action and incorporate a bit of silliness. Let the reader in
on the joke, but keep the characters clueless. This is often an effective
technique because it helps the reader relate to the characters since, at one
time or another, we’ve all been the butt of the joke (or the joke has been on
us).
Expectations are also important. The reader will know instantly
when a character’s decision will cause a problem later in the book. Lead the
reader along, show them how they are right, but then surprise them. Someone
once asked silent-screen legend Charlie Chaplin how to do the perfect banana
peel gag. He answered that it would be to have a woman walking down the street
directly toward a banana peel on the sidewalk. The audience will make a
logical assumption about what will happen next. However, it’s funny when
instead of slipping on the banana peel, the woman cleverly jumps over it … only
to fall into an open manhole on the other side.
For my latest novel, No One Lives Twice, I spent a lot of time working on all these
things. It’s hard work. I had to choose my words and situations with care.
There is a lot of rewriting, beta reading, and revising. Timing is another
critical aspect for humor writers. You have to figure out the best time to
reveal the punch line, the absurd ending, or the result of a hysterical
situation. It’s important to keep the reader interested and invested, as well
as amused.
How can you do this? Look for the humor in everyday life. Focus on
the bright side of every situation, including dark ones. People would rather
laugh than cry when faced with difficult life experiences such as death,
disease or hardship. Play off experiences you’ve had, nearly had, or have
happened to a friend. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.
You will find the best humor comes from within, an honest, hilarious, moment we
can share with others through the eyes of our fictional characters.
Julie Moffett is a
bestselling author and writes in the genres of historical romance, paranormal
romance and mystery. She has won numerous awards, including the prestigious
PRISM Award for Best Romantic Time-Travel and Best of the Best Paranormal Books
of 2002. She has also garnered several nominations for the Daphne du Maurier
Award and the Holt Medallion. Her latest novel, No One Lives Twice, is her
first humorous novel(an action/adventure, cyber-sleuthing comedy) and is a
digital-only release from Carina Press. It is also available as an audio book at www.Audible.com. Please feel
free to keep up with her at the following social media outlets:
Facebook
Twitter
eHarlequin
Julie’s website
Julie’s
blog
Comments
13 comments posted.
Re: Julie Moffett | Writing Humor
I would have to say that you have one of the hardest jobs as a writer. It has to be hard to write a book, and have humor be a constant throughout the book!! I can be amusing, but to put it down in words is another animal entirely!! Since I'm new with your writings, I'm going to have to make it a point to pick up your books. In this day and age, with all of the sadness in the world, everyone needs a pick-me-up, and I'm sure that your books, with all of the awards, would be just the thing to put everyone in the right frame of mind to put everything else aside -- if only for a while. Thank you for putting your talent into words. (Peggy Roberson 1:17am November 2, 2010)
Thanks, Peggy! I feel the same way which is why I decided to give writing humor a shot. I'd MUCH rather laugh than cry at things and I really, really like a good belly chuckle!! (Julie Czechowski 8:59am November 2, 2010)
Love that bit about Charlie Chaplin! The unexpected is always so much funnier! (Liz Fichera 11:34am November 2, 2010)
Julie, I've tried to write humor and can't do it. Now, if I don't try, then the humor seems to creep in all on it's own. I can't help it--life is just funny. (Cindy Spencer Pape 11:43am November 2, 2010)
Great post, Julie! I love humor, both reading and writing it! Although I don't set out to write humor, bits of it come out in my writing like little fun surprises. (Nicole North 12:01pm November 2, 2010)
Writing humor is really hard, Julie. Once upon a time I tried it myself. I had a rather splashy rejection in which an editor asked me - What makes you think you write funny? Congratulations! You obviously know how to write humor!
Lilly (Lilly Cain 1:12pm November 2, 2010)
Great post, Julie. The Charlie Chaplin gag got me :)
Reviewers always tell me I write humor. I don't do it on purpose. It just jumps out. Now if I try to write humor that's when things go really wrong!
I always enjoy light-hearted books with humor though. It's certainly true you can't please everyone. Humor is very subjective and regional too. I don't "get" some American comedies while English ones always hit the spot. (Shelley Munro 2:20pm November 2, 2010)
Liz and Shelley - glad you liked the Charlie Chaplin gag. I always thought he was funny!! Shelley, if you ever read my book, can you let me know if the humor "hit" it for you? I'm curious as to how I am doing with the "foreign" audience." :)
Lilly, thanks so much for stopping by!! BTW, I've got you marked for my TBR pile!!
Nicole, I do love how sometimes the humor pops out of my writing like a wonderful surprise!
Cindy - I agree totally -- life is funny!!! (Julie Czechowski 4:33pm November 2, 2010)
It takes a special person to make everyday situations humorous. I always enjoy the unexpected to make my day brighter. (Rosemary Krejsa 5:43pm November 2, 2010)
I love to laugh. Clever, witty writing is delicious. (Mary Preston 5:45pm November 2, 2010)
Thanks everyone! Just realized my married name is popping up instead of my pen name on my replies. I probably typed it in wrong when I registered. Sorry 'bout that. I guess that's what happens when you have a sick toddler and about 2 hours of cumulative sleep. Sigh! :) (Julie Czechowski 7:11pm November 2, 2010)
Humor's tough. I struggle to write it. So unless it sneaks in, it's not there.
Hope the littlie's feeling better, and you've caught up on sleep! (Jenny Schwartz 8:35pm November 2, 2010)
My humor is more of the giggle or a bit of the sarcastic type. I find in writing humor is the glue that holds onto connections for seemingly opposite types. (Alyson Widen 11:39am November 5, 2010)
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