A Funny Thing Tried To Happen . . . .

[slyc_willie]

AMB's "Death Sentence" thread (nice play on words there, by the way) reminded me of something I've been thinking about, off and on, throughout my writing: How to write funny.

I honestly think I can do it, but I find it more difficult to do than say, writing drama, or erotic horror, or just about anything else. There are a lot more intricacies to writing a funny story. Key word choices have to be picked to elicit a humorous reaction. As one humor-writing blogger put it, "'destroy' is boring. 'Pulverize' is funny."

Specificity seems to be another essential component to humorous writing, often matched with florid metaphors and similes. A character isn't just a man in a suit, but "a man wrapped in layers of clothing like a rotund sausage packed in plastic wrap and newspaper."

I think they key component for writing humorously is consistency, and for me, that's where the main problem lies. I can interject a few funny phrases or descriptions here and there, but it's a challenge to keep it going. I don't know how writers who consistently write humorous prose do it. Darkniciad, here on Lit, does a pretty good job with his Literotica Science Theater 3000 (LST3K) series, but he's adapting someone else's story and essentially poking fun at it. Not that I'm knocking Dark; the end product is pretty good.

For those of you who do write humor, what are your tricks, your guidelines, your inside secrets?

 

[Swilly]

I spend my entire existence viewing the world and everything in it with humor. The funniest shit I say or do comes out spontaneously, without me even thinking about it. If I wanted to write a humorous story, I could do it. I rarely write one that doesn't have some degree of humor in it. To me, that's a part of my daily life.

Years ago, a friend and I wrote a tongue in cheek Penthouse Forum type story about a female judge and male defense attorney that got together in her chambers. It was filled with one liners. It included one of my favorites-counselor, your erection is sustained.

It would have been a bad stroke story, because you'd be laughing the entire time.

 

[walkerlong]

A lot of humor is about incongruity. Many writers, however, instinctively prefer realism. They'll write in a horse when a zebra would be funnier.

Repetition can also be used humorously. Remember SNL when buckwheat was assassinated? Every time the newscaster repeated "let's take a look at the video tape" it just got funnier. But most writers avoid this, too.

And I think you need the straight man. The serious observer who makes absurd events relatable. Bud Abbott or Jerry Seinfeld. A lot of authors make the mistake of trying to write like Costello or Kramer - hamming it up for laughs. It doesn't work.

 

[slyc_willie]

Perception is definitely a key ingredient. You can't just write something humorous; you have to see that a situation is humorous before you write it.

I think, to get into the mood of writing humor, I'd have to be continuously playing Weird Al's greatest hits.

 

[SecondCircle]

Writing funny stuff is hard. Of course everybody has different funny bones. Talking and being funny sometimes comes easy. But writing funny stuff has to get you tickled right when you read it.

But what has been said is a good point. Your words themselves have to set a mood. They have to be sweet and tender in romance, forboding and chilling in horror, and smile inducing in comedy. Word connotations and tone go a long way in these different story types.

Some of the funniest shit I ever read was also the dumbest. But it made you laugh your ass off. It was one of those "Lists of Things to Do..." booklets you get from novelty stores or whatever. My buddy had it, and I took a look at it and thought it was dumb as hell.

But he was cracking up. And when I skimmed through it, I was too. Some of the lists were ridiculous (which we were fans of). One thing was at a job interview, keep referring to yourself as a grown ass man. At a driving test, quickly crisscross your seatbelt into the instructor's buckle before he can get his on. At the barbor shop, act like you're look around as if to make sure no one is looking, pick up some hair from the floor, smell it, glance around again and put the hair in your pocket. At a red light, stare at the person in the car next to you and when they look at you, look away quickly and exaggerate acting normal.

I have no idea why but I couldn't read that shit in that book without cracking up. It was so ridiculous but right when you read it and the words hit you you were laughing.

But that's different. Kinda. I think.

 

[patientlee]

The thing is, I'm hilarious. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who thinks so.

 

[SecondCircle]

The thing is, I'm hilarious. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who thinks so.

I think what usually matters is whether they are laughing with you or laughing AT you. I mean cuz a person can be hilarious both ways.

 

[Handley_Page]

AMB's "Death Sentence" thread (nice play on words there, by the way) reminded me of something I've been thinking about, off and on, throughout my writing: How to write funny.

I honestly think I can do it, but I find it more difficult to do than say, writing drama, or erotic horror, or just about anything else. There are a lot more intricacies to writing a funny story. Key word choices have to be picked to elicit a humorous reaction. As one humor-writing blogger put it, "'destroy' is boring. 'Pulverize' is funny."

Specificity seems to be another essential component to humorous writing, often matched with florid metaphors and similes. A character isn't just a man in a suit, but "a man wrapped in layers of clothing like a rotund sausage packed in plastic wrap and newspaper."

I think they key component for writing humorously is consistency, and for me, that's where the main problem lies. I can interject a few funny phrases or descriptions here and there, but it's a challenge to keep it going. I don't know how writers who consistently write humorous prose do it. Darkniciad, here on Lit, does a pretty good job with his Literotica Science Theater 3000 (LST3K) series, but he's adapting someone else's story and essentially poking fun at it. Not that I'm knocking Dark; the end product is pretty good.

For those of you who do write humor, what are your tricks, your guidelines, your inside secrets?

I think there are (at least) two aspects here; the language used and the situation in which it's found. The latter may not be too much of a problem (it's very individual) but the language itself is a bit of a problem.

You see, what I, as an Englishman, finds 'funny' (amusing might be a better word) may not be that funny to an American or whoever, and certainly not a German (translation is difficult enough, already).

A lot depends upon the language used. A well-told joke has part of the humour in the build-up to the punch line; one-liners cannot!. At one time there were a number of quite amusing films brought over here; I think the technique is called "slapstick"; it's very visual, not verbal.
So the humour must balance the ridiculousness of one phrase with another to give the whole.

I get the impression that, generally, the American way of humour is far removed from the English, but I look forward, with interest, to reading the stories tried out.

 

[Swilly]

The thing is, I'm hilarious. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who thinks so.

Now, THAT'S funny.

I think I'm hilarious too. And you know what? I really don't give a crap if other people don't agree. I crack myself up, so I'm happy.

 

[Saxon_Hart]

The thing is, I'm hilarious. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who thinks so.

That's OK Lee, you gotta worry when folk think you're hilarious, and you're being dead serious.

 

[jomar]

My White Trash story still makes me laugh, mostly chapters 2 and 3, but it's probably just me. And my TMA - Chase Cooder story has some nice humor.

In WT the humor was in the phrasing and word choices and cadence. In TMA it's done with dialogue and a punchline.

ETA: Not to mention the sophisticated alliteration in WT. LOL...

 

[Swilly]

That's OK Lee, you gotta worry when folk think you're hilarious, and you're being dead serious.

Very good point!

 

[patientlee]

Very good point!

Yeah. I'm funny. But looks aren't everything.

 

[slyc_willie]

I think there are (at least) two aspects here; the language used and the situation in which it's found. The latter may not be too much of a problem (it's very individual) but the language itself is a bit of a problem.

You see, what I, as an Englishman, finds 'funny' (amusing might be a better word) may not be that funny to an American or whoever, and certainly not a German (translation is difficult enough, already).

A lot depends upon the language used. A well-told joke has part of the humour in the build-up to the punch line; one-liners cannot!. At one time there were a number of quite amusing films brought over here; I think the technique is called "slapstick"; it's very visual, not verbal.
So the humour must balance the ridiculousness of one phrase with another to give the whole.

I get the impression that, generally, the American way of humour is far removed from the English, but I look forward, with interest, to reading the stories tried out.

There is definitely a not-so-subtle difference between English and American humor. I'm not a big fan of the current crop of "dumb comedy" that permeates American popular media (movies like The Hangover series, for instance). I have a more dry, snide sense of humor. Some of my favorites still include the UK series Red Dwarf and Coupling. When I try to write comedy, it is with that ironic slant.

My White Trash story still makes me laugh, mostly chapters 2 and 3, but it's probably just me. And my TMA - Chase Cooder story has some nice humor.

In WT the humor was in the phrasing and word choices and cadence. In TMA it's done with dialogue and a punchline.

ETA: Not to mention the sophisticated alliteration in WT. LOL...

I have to say I still chuckle at the idea of Box being Einstein's real father.

 

[Hypoxia]

I've written dry+snide or absurd pieces that get rave comments, and also death-threats and 1-bombs. What one reader finds hilarious, others get royally pissed at because their little dickies don't get hard. See the comments in my .sig.

 

[oggbashan]

Some of my humour doesn't translate as US humor.

Exceptions perhaps are my entry in the Authors' Hangout collaborations in Literotica Olympics:

http://www.literotica.com/s/the-literotica-olympics-day-17

and The Worst Chain Story Ever.

http://www.literotica.com/s/the-worst-chain-story-ever-ch-01

My latest attempt didn't work for the first two senders of PCs:

http://www.literotica.com/s/two-tarts-in-a-kitchen

 

[StrangeLife]

I must object to this thread. Erotica can't be funny because sex is serious business. I mean, we're basically talking about the very mechanism behind the prolifre... prolifa... prolifle.. fuck!...spreading of the human race here.

Of course stories featuring clown are an exception...

https://cakeheadlovesevil.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/clown_porn.jpg

 

[SecondCircle]

I must object to this thread. Erotica can't be funny because sex is serious business. I mean, we're basically talking about the very mechanism behind the prolifre... prolifa... prolifle.. fuck!... spreading of the human race here.

Of course stories featuring clown are an exception...

https://cakeheadlovesevil.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/clown_porn.jpg

I dunno, it can have it's moments. In one of my stories, a guy and a gal are in a chair in the kitchen going at it. She's riding him. There's a lot of hot build-up to this climax. Almost there, almost, closer, closer....

Then the kitchem chair breaks and they tumble to the floor. A moment of shock and then they are cracking up.

Why did I choose to include it? Hell if I know. But it felt right and fit the story, plus it made a good transition to the next scene.

What I do know is that was drawn from personal experience....

 

[walkerlong]

Oh, I forgot to mention that my stories are also awesome and hilarious and you should go read them right away.

 

[oggbashan]

Oh, I forgot to mention that my stories are also awesome and hilarious and you should go read them right away.

That works. I've just read The Fire Red Arrows, and enjoyed it.

 

[walkerlong]

That works. I've just read The Fire Red Arrows, and enjoyed it.

Haha! I'm surprised that worked. I am pleased you enjoyed the story, though. It seems silly and casual, but I actually worked quite a bit on it.

 

[patientlee]

That works. I've just read The Fire Red Arrows, and enjoyed it.

I didn't remember that you wrote that one, but I remember Cupid flipping the bird! I liked that one.

 

[oggbashan]

I didn't remember that you wrote that one, but I remember Cupid flipping the bird! I liked that one.

See! Shameless plugging works!

But I do it too often.

 

[StrangeLife]

Oh, I forgot to mention that my stories are also awesome and hilarious and you should go read them right away.

Did that already. There is no resisting a title like "The Lesbian, The Bitch, and The Bathrobe."

 

[slyc_willie]

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone brought up clown porn . . . .

I have actually tried to write humorously in the past. I did a parody of The Wizard of Oz entitled The Wizard of Fuzz (check my story link if you're interested). It was pretty base humor, I'll admit, but I think it had it's moments.