This week RWA/NYC members share
their observations
about adding humor to their
writing.
LIVE. LOVE. LAUGH…WRITE.
By Maria Ferrer
I firmly believe that if
your writing makes you laugh, then others will laugh too. Writers can’t really force the laughs,
because it shows. One has to visualize
the actions, the consequences, the reactions and get all that down on
paper. Always remembering to make sure
the joke fits the character(s). You
don’t want them to look stupid and you don’t want to be cruel.
I’m not an expert, but where are some tricks I like to use when
writing funny:
Characters – don’t be afraid to make fun of your
heroes. You want to throw them in awkward situations for the laughs and to move
the plot along.
1)
Names can be funny. For example, if the whole family is made up
of women named Rose after the matriarch.
Or have a family of siblings named after states or cities – Tennessee,
Paris.
2)
Quirky characteristics can help you write
funny too. The big body builder with the
teacup Chihuahua. The nerdy professor
with a bright bow tie. The nervous thief
who eats her hair.
Situations – get your characters out of their
comfort zone and let them have it. A pie in the face is always good for a laugh.
1)
Location, location, location. Any place can be funny; it all depends on how
you are using it. A Bed and Breakfast in
New Hampshire with each room a different time period or a different BDSM
room. Think Dominatrix lost in Main
Street, USA. Think New Yorker lost in
Arkansas.
2)
Forget being politically correct. This is fiction. All bets are off. Everyone and everything is fair game.
You want readers laughing
with your characters, not at them. Well,
at least, not always laughing at them.
You have to make your prose funny, but remember that you are telling a
story and it has to move on and come to a funny and a happy ever after.
Some of my favorite funny
writers include Rachel Gibson, Katie MacAlister, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and
Janet Evanovich. Who are your
favorites? Read them again and pay
attention how they make you laugh.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Happy Writing! ♥
Maria Ferrer doesn’t think she writes funny so she is often found
rereading her favorite funny authors and watching her favorite comedy shows.
Her favorite motto: Live, Love,
Laugh…Write.
How do we do that
ReplyDeletewhen the Korona
virus is everywhere?