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.
"I regard the writing of humor as a supreme artistic challenge."
--Herman Wouk
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.
Yet no matter how many laughs I get, I'm always striving for more (even if it costs me every hair on my head).
That's why I put together this list of excellent references that have helped me improve my humor writing skills—and will help you improve yours. These pieces include instruction on word choice, subtleties that induce laughter and an interview with the guy who created the famous Twitter handle @Sh*tMyDadSays. Here you go:
Hope these articles help you make your humorous stories funnier. I know they've helped me.
(By the way: Duct tape is definitely funnier.)
Follow me on Twitter: @BrianKlems
Read my Dad blog: TheLifeOfDad.com
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Brian A. Klems is the former Senior Online Editor of Writer’s Digest, and author of Oh Boy, You’re Having a Girl (Adams Media/Simon & Schuster). Follow him on Twitter @BrianKlems.
