Humor :: Tips, Tricks, Advice?

[oggbashan]

Limitations

Whatever you do, humour is going to have a limited audience.

What makes some people laugh, others find painful or just boring.

Unless you submit it in the Humor and Satire category someone, or most, will take it as a totally serious piece. Look at Svenskaflicka's very short low-rated How-To about giant condoms Here - most people didn't get the joke. OK, the title refers to a Swedish comedian that most of us haven't heard of, but the readers thought that Svenskaflicka was genuinely writing a How-To about how to practice safe-sex with an overendowed man. 100+ people voted it low!

I have tried humour in many of my stories. Some readers find humour where I didn't intend it to be (or did I?).

As an exercise try reading my contributions to AH Chain Stories: 'The Worst Chain Story Ever' and 'The Literotica Olympics'. Link from my signature. Then analyse your reaction to them. Did they amuse you? If so, why? If not, why not?

Then look at the other contributions to those Chain Stories. What is different about each author's approach? Which do you think work? Which don't?

Then consider the PCs on each. Do you agree with all of PCs? I doubt that you will find every contribution equally humorous but others would have a different reaction and personal favourites.

Humour is not supposed to travel. British and US humour have cultural differences. Some comics appeal to both. Some don't. The masters of the silent film comedy such as Chaplin and Keaton were almost universally popular but once sound movies came their appeal was limited to English speakers.

Some comedians, and comic writers, are self-limiting because they comment on domestic issues such as national politicians and national domestic issues. I would find it difficult to see a joke about Italy's Prime Minister or about Austrian TV presenters. Italians and Austrians would find jokes about Tony Blair or UK penal standards impenetrable.

Jokes about human failings, bodily functions, sex - are universal subjects.

In the end, all you can do is try to write to amuse yourself. If your work gives enjoyment to others as well - that is a bonus.

Og

 

[Guest]

Just write about something that happened to you that you didn't think was very funny and stuff but other people did so it gets put with the funny stuff anyway cause thats what I did and I guess people liked it and stuff cause I got more comments about it than darnoel got on any of his stories and stuff but he says he aint mad or nothing cause he says hes proud of me and stuff so I guess thats ok.

Debbie

 

[Unsung Muse]

wonderful, thoughtful advice... many thanks and a *bump*

 

[Svenskaflicka]

My best tips for writing erotic humour is: think like a female with an obnoxious male in her life.
Humour is vital to survive. When a drunk guy who hasn't showered for a week comes in two minutes, and then slaps your ass with a "there, that oughtta hold ya!", before falling asleep and snoring loudly... well, you either laugh or you cry.

I know what I prefer.

Another tips - be cheeky. Remember all those rude jokes you hear at work? Out with your friends? In the bar? Use that naughty sense of humour when you sit down to write.

A friend of mine told me how the women at her work make fun of the men when the men try to throw some garbage into the basket and misses, and the women tease them for not being good with holes...
That's the kind of gutter-humour you need to get into before you write. That way, your work will be full of cute innuendos that liven up the text.