Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Adding humor to your writing

"Humor is mankind's greatest blessing." Mark Twain

I've often heard writing humor is the hardest type of writing. I can see the point; humor is even more subjective than the craft of writing itself. But it's fun, and fun is always worth it. Let's look at some ways to make readers laugh, or at least smile.

A word about perspective


Humor is all about perspective. How you, or your characters, view the world or situations is where the funny is, not in formulas or tricks. Humor can be found anywhere. Once you've found the funny, there are several ways to convey it.

Incongruity - This type of humor surprises readers by presenting unlikely connections-like comparing someone to a peanut-or inappropriate role performances-like having a military man dance in a ballet, or a very petite, beautiful woman with an extremely deep voice. 


Visuals - This type of humor uses props or expressions. You might be thinking that's impossible in writing, but it's not. In fact, it's very important. Describing a funny face or using setting as part of the humor works wonders in writing.

Satire - This type of humor mocks someone or something, with sarcasm often playing a role. It works best if whatever is being made fun of is something everyone can identify with, giving them the feeling of: "Yeah, I totally know what you mean! Ha ha!"

Exaggerations - Also known as hyperbole, this type of humor makes something seem more extreme than it really is. Examples: "My plate was so full, I couldn't see over it." "Climbing the stairs to bed every night is like climbing Mount Everest."

Understatements - This type of humor is the opposite of Exaggeration. It's funny because it makes something big look insignificant. Example: A guy risked his life to save your character. They fell from a cliff, just barely escaping death, and your character says: "That was nice", as though the guy did nothing more than hold a door open for him/her.  

Substitutions - This type of humor uses cliches and turns them on their heads. Example: "Divorces  are made in heaven" rather than "Match made in heaven."


Final thoughts
 
Another thing to consider is who in your story is going to be humorous. Is it you, the narrator? Or is it one or more of your characters? The ways to express humor are the same either way, except if it's your characters who are funny, you have a few more avenues, such as witty dialogue and joke telling, things that would be inappropriate for most narrators.


Tomorrow's post - Interview








43 comments:

  1. Humour is a very important part of life, I enjoyed your post, most interesting to read.

    Yvonne.

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne! It is very important, isn't it?

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  2. I think this is one of those things where writers need to go with their gut. Hard to teach.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  3. Humor is one of the things that's convinced me to stay alive. A beautiful element of life and fiction.

    from John at The Bathroom Monologues

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  4. Great Mark Twain quote. I totally agree with him which is why I write humor.

    Jenn @Scribbles From Jenn

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    1. That's fantastic, Jenn. I try to have at least a dose of humor in most of my stories.

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  5. When I (try to) write humor, I always have to keep in mind if it's something only I will think is funny...or does it have a broader base.

    Those of us with 'quirky' senses of humor need to keep this in mind :)

    Left and Write

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    1. Very true, Mark. Although, I think there's someone out there for everyone... Other people with quirky senses of humor would probably appreciate it.

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  6. Humor is my main way to go about writing at my bay

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    1. That's wonderful, Pat Hatt! Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. I love humor in novels. Dry, sarcastic, and hilarious humor, it all works for me. Especially to ease some of the tense sequences, humor can work. Good Post.

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    1. Oh yes, that's when humor in stories feels the best for me, when it comes right after some serious drama. Thanks for your comment. :)

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  8. Oh, such an excellent post - very nice tips, and really, to the point! Thanks!

    Chuck
    valleyoftheoldones.blogspot.com

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  9. Humor makes everything salty and crispy and I simply love books and people with a good SOH :)

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  10. Heidi, haven't thought about this, but yes, what you've said resonates with me as a writer. I like when my characters are not all-out funny, but have witty comebacks.

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    1. Yes, I like those, too. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  11. Great points about humor:) I love the way Joss Whedon mixes humor into action, and of course Mark Twain is great:)

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    1. At the risk of seeming totally out of it, I had to look Joss Whedon up. I don't believe I've ever seen any of his work. Now you have me curious about him.

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  12. Some great tips here! I've never consciously tried writing humour, but I think another element is to have a straight man to your funny character who we find funny because they never find anything funny.

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  13. Humour is definitely hard to write. In reality I can make people laugh easily but every time I try to take that ro my written work it falls flat! Nice post

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    1. For me writing humor has to come naturally rather than trying to write something funny. It's much harder when it's forced.

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    2. Most of the time, I can't keep humor out of what I do, even when it doesn't belong. But when I'm deliberately writing humor. . . it can vanish like my secret stash of chocolate.

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  14. Humor is so hard to write, isn't it? And Mark Twain has the best quotes. ;)

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    1. Yes and yes. Mark Twain was awesome. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  15. I could never be a humorist - a satirist maybe, but not a humorist.

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    1. Satire is funny, too. Thanks for stopping in. :)

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  16. Great post. I especially love the unexpected humor.

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    1. Yeah, I like it when funny slaps me across the face, too.

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  17. I love to write Huor but it gets so tricky sometimes. The ways mentioned in the post can be a good guide to write find the exact tone of Humor I like to use in my work. Thank you Heidi.

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  18. I'm glad you find my tips helpful. Thanks so much for your comments.

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  19. Great post! Humor is difficult to put into words.

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  20. Yes, it can be. Thanks for visiting!

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  21. The need to turn to humour is such a natural way for people to alleviate tension and cope with something that seems insurmountable - if there is no humour I feel the lack of it.

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  22. This is is such a great post. You have inspired me to try to add some humor into my writing tomorrow. Thank you!

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  23. I like to add little bits of humor to my writing. I'm never sure if people will laugh, but I usually do so that's gotta mean someone will be amused as well, right?

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    1. I think there's someone for all types of humor, Patricia.

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