humor in writing

[litlebanana.livejournal.com]

Is anyone else trying to write a humorous Nano?

I'm attempting it this year. I've written for school humor magazines before and people seem to (sometimes) think I'm funny irl, but all my attempts in the past to write funny stories have been a big fail. I'm not hoping for a big funny, but rather a snicker or two per page. The subject matter of the novel is somewhat serious, so I think having the first-person narrator add some humor will lighten things up.

I read a lot and it's noticeable when the author is trying to be funny. Sometimes they succeed and other times they fail... and the failures are painful. I think it's really hard to be successful at writing humor.

Does anyone have any personal tips for writing humorous novels? Or am I just making a big mistake?

Comments

[hamburger.livejournal.com]

I'm going to attempt a dark sort of humor this year. So I wish you luck!

Remember that humor is subjective: What's funny to one person may not be to another. So in the end it's probably best to start by writing what's funny to you without hoping to amuse everyone. Frankly, I wouldn't fret too much over this if you're really into the idea of writing it. Nano seems like a time of experimintation to me, so if I were in your shoes I'd just give it a whirl. If you don't feel happy with what you've got by the end of the month, you have plenty of time to doctor it up afterwards. :) Not to mention all you'll have learned!

[litlebanana.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is definitely an experiment.

[sunshinedreamr.livejournal.com]

I'm also going to attempt trying my hand at humor this year, mostly because other people who have read my writing have said that my writing style is naturally funny so I should try to write a full blown funny story. I'm also looking for advice, and the one best piece of advice I have come across so far is from someone who told me not to constantly think about trying to be funny while I'm writing because it will be obvious that I am trying too hard. Just write what comes out naturally.

Good luck to you! This will be my first try at humor as well. :)

[litlebanana.livejournal.com]

Yes, I feel the same way. Most people tell me that my writing is funny, so I'm going to not try too hard and be myself, and hope it comes out funny.

[thedorkygirl.livejournal.com]

I had a lot of success in a story I wrote with a sort of "clueless" character. It worked for me because the character was a child -- about 11 -- and could make wry observations that were terribly, terribly wrong.

[teithiwr.livejournal.com]

I'd pretty much say: write what you think is funny. If it feels forced, don't do it. :) Forced humour can be really terrible, but if an author is honestly funny - if I can sense that they've been giggling to themselves while writing - I will laugh out loud at a book.

And yes: Nano can be about crazy experimentation and wackiness. Just see what happens, go with the flow! If it's funny, then all the better. :D

[litlebanana.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's why I failed in the past: I tried to force the humor.

[skepanie.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of what has been said - your humor will come out in the story if you just relax and focus on the plot and characters, so I would suggest not thinking "okay, time to be funny" and just write the story. the funny will present itself to you when appropriate. I think writers with keen senses of humor can tease the humor out of a situation or conversation without being too obvious about it or interrupting the story (JK Rowling is good at this). and for an extra boost of humor, you can occasionally throw the characters into wild situations where they have to talk their way out of something (e.g. being arrested), depending on your plot. good luck :)

[sings-off-key.livejournal.com]

I think in humor, it is essential that the writer and reader really care about what happens to the characters, and so they must be well drawn. A lot of humor that fails for me, fails because the characters are cardboard shapes thrown together to utter gags. I particularly loathe the type of parody that seems to exist so the writer can express contempt or show off his/her own cleverness at the characters' expense.

So my advice would be to read stories you like and try to figure out how the writers weave humor into their story. (As far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong with Terry Pratchett! If I could write like him I'd be happy, happy.)

[sonanova.livejournal.com]

It depends on the type of humor and the seriousness of the subject. I write in a Chuck Palaniuk tone when I use first person, kind of a black humor on what is usually a very dark subject matter.

Just don't force it. I am alot funnier as a writer than as a person, often enough. Further, if you find you are doing something totally unconventional, go with it. It could just be odd enough to work out in the end.

[delorispea.livejournal.com]

I can't write anything without humour even if it's majorly angsty topic! I wish you luck!

[upperclass-twit.livejournal.com]

Some excellent suggestions. I'd just add that it gets easier with practice, just like anything else. At first it can feel forced, but then it can become sort of mindless - like you write funny things on instinct.

It also helps to experiment with different types of humor. I happen to love puns, the more awful and groan-inducing the better. However, I also like situational humor, where a character gets him or herself into crazy situations that get worse as he or she tries to fix them. I sometimes like slapstick, but it isn't my strong point. A NaNo project is the perfect opportunity to experiment with all these and see which works.

Good luck! Personally, funny stories are my favorite, no matter what the humor. It shows the author doesn't take him or herself too seriously.

[appajoosh.livejournal.com]

I'm trying humour this NaNo too, kind of a Halloween/horror/humour story. I think it'll be funny, I'm not concerning myself with my audience yet since there may never be one :P

[acm28.livejournal.com]

I'm trying my hand at humor this year. I don't normally try to be funny, but I figured NaNo would be the perfect chance to attempt something new. Like everyone said, don't force it. My story's basically supposed to be really fast paced and really absurd. The hardest thing for me is going to be keeping it moving as fast as possible. I don't want to make it too nuts, but there shouldn't ever be a moment when the action slows down. I'm kind of concerned, because two characters have just announced that they're falling in love.

[huntingsnarks.livejournal.com]

Douglas Adams Roald Dahl Oscar Wilde Spike Milligan -

I'd really, really love to be able to live up to my idols in a humorous writerly format. Most of them tease out the giggles with a combination of extremely complex/convoluted plots, witty observations, and gloriously larger-than-life characters.

We can but try, right?