Comments on: Write Funny: 3 Timeless Rules of Comedy That Every Writer Should Learn

By: Tim White

Tim White — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:48:14 +0000

Stu – for a joke to work the set-up has to give pertinent information a listener needs later when the punch line is introduced. For me this joke needs to give information about the Birthday paradox at the start for it to work. Also, you need to weigh up whether the set-up justifies the pay off. Is the joke worth an audience sitting through to get to the laugh? Once you begin to get a sense of balance about this you’ll find the laughs come easier. All the best with your writing. Tim

By: Stuart Marshall

Stuart Marshall — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:43:40 +0000

Ok, I read the first part, and I thought it was very well explained.
I don’t want to use this as a workshop, but I’ve got no other way (right now) to pose the following:

Just recently I’ve tried to construct some jokes from thoughts I have.
To prove to myself that I understood what Jamie explained (and I will read the rest now – and give some feedback!), then I thought I’d have a crack at a joke based on the Comedic Paradox.
Can someone tell me if this joke I’ve just constructed, could be funny –
not if it is funny, but does it work:
if not, how do I make it work.

Here’s my effort:
My younger sister is a scientist, but is a bit of a show off about her knowledge
She and wanted to prove correct the Birthday Paradox / Birthday problem
So we tried it out at a party.
She’s the prettiest of all our family, but everyone said they’d never met another triplet with such an ugly temper.

It’s obscure, about the Birhtday Paradox, I know –
so if you don’t find it funny, please tell me why rather than, ‘Stop writing rubbish and get on with your job’ (luckily my job involves a lot of time wasting anyway – so I know that already)
ie – I’m a bit nervous about any response,
thanks, Stu

By: lightenup

lightenup — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:36:50 +0000

I may never get any funnier after reading the entertaining post and comments, but thanks to Brett, I’ll always remember what to try…

inversion, comic paradox and repetition!

By: Brett Davies

Brett Davies — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:30:43 +0000

A man walked into a bar on his hands and said “I don’t want a drink, thankyou. I don’t want a drink, thankyou. I don’t want a drink…

inversion, comic paradox and repetition

By: dialecticyou

dialecticyou — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:39:41 +0000

Kierkegaard explained humor in a better way I imagine.

By: Meryl

Meryl — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:24:43 +0000

@isle, thanks for the laugh. Gosh, I can’t believe that the wine cooler had the nerve to soak up your thought-provoking comment and not share it with the world.

By: Jamie Grove - How Not To Write

Jamie Grove - How Not To Write — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:52:15 +0000

@Bob and Isle Thanks so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it.

I guess I can take off the ferrets now.

[pop!]

Jamie Grove – How Not To Writes last blog post..Funny Writers: Twit-Wit Contest Win a Poem from Me!

By: isle

isle — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:50:28 +0000

I had such a wonderful yet thought provoking comment developed, on the psycho-social cause and effect of the afore mentioned verbal applications as related to spontaneous hilarity, then I read ‘mauled by ferrets’ and snorted wine cooler upon my keyboard.

This caused me to (try to)analyse exactly what it was about ferret mauling that struck me as instantly funny. Comedic Paradox, partially. I think that occasionally, the words themselves just sound funny.
Mauled by ferrets. Unexpected, slightly violent, (and non-lethal) bringing visions of face-grabbing, floor rolling yells and frantic ferret face-peeling/flinging, yeah, works for me.

Additional comment…great post.

By: Bob Younce at the Writing Journey

Bob Younce at the Writing Journey — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:11:26 +0000

Do I hear my name being taken in vain?

See, and I’m always confusing @RhodesTer with @eMom…

Awesome post, Jamie.

Bob Younce at the Writing Journeys last blog post..Meme Week Continues: Eight Random Facts About Me

By: Jamie Grove - How Not To Write

Jamie Grove - How Not To Write — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:27:04 +0000

“I want to see inversion, comic paradox and repetition in 140 characters or less”

I can do it, but only in Swedish. Just ask my Swedish fans!

[As a side note, I should mention that Daniel's Twit-Wit competition also features a prize by yours truly. It's not an autographed picture of me getting out of the shower, but it's a close second. ]

Jamie Grove – How Not To Writes last blog post..Write Funny: My Guest Post and Your Chance to Win a Free Book!