  Comedy
This week: Edited by: Sophy  
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Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that
life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful
your situation might be, you can survive it. Bill Cosby
Hi, I'm Sophy , and I am your Guest Editor for the Comedy Newsletter this week, where we'll take a look at the art of being able to laugh at ourselves through our comedic writing. |
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Being able to laugh at oneself requires a solid level of self esteem
and a strong self concept. Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.
Some of my favorite pieces of comedic writing are ones where the writer is able to poke fun at him or herself in a harmless yet humorous way. It's pretty easy (and can end up being cruel) to point a finger at someone else and make fun of them. But when we are able to turn that same finger back on ourselves, we end up with an endless supply of comic material from which to choose, not to mention some pretty good writing results.
Writers like Erma Bombeck, Dave Barry, and Bill Bryson are just a few examples of writers who have made a great living poking fun at themselves in their writing. Yes, they make fun of other people and situations as well, but some of their best stuff is about themselves. I think that's because we know ourselves better than we know anyone else -- our foibles and faults, as well as all of those embarrassing secrets from our past. And learning to laugh at those things, in a way that is not demeaning or demoralizing, helps us put them in perspective, move on and heal, while at the same time providing fodder for some pretty terrific writing.
It's easy to get started, and since you know the subject matter pretty well, you are not likely to get writer's block.  Think back to one of those embarrassing moments from your distant or recent past. Ever trip when walking down the aisle at a formal wedding, or fall out of your chair during a board meeting? Maybe you got the hiccups in church, or snorted when laughing at a fancy dinner party. Or maybe you have a quirky bedtime habit or silly way of tying your shoes you could write about. There you go, you have your starting point!
Another great thing about tapping into your own well of comedy experience is that you have a few choices of what to do once the idea strikes you. You can either turn it in to a comedic essay, a true account of a humorous event. Or you can use your experience as a foundation, embellish it, and turn it into a funny fictional story. Or maybe something in between the two.
So what are you waiting for? Give it a try. Look back and recall one of the funniest things that ever happened to you, and make that the foundation for your next piece of comedy writing. Good luck, and have fun! 
Sophy |
Here are a few items where the author pokes fun at him/herself:
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A laugh from childhood ...
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Making fun of spouses can be fun too!
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Here are a couple from a fun contest: "Invalid Item"
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Comedy: March 07, 2007 Issue [#1589]
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