I don’t write comedy. I might have amusing scenes, or light-hearted poetry, but I am not someone who is skilled at the laugh out loud moments. I’m thinking about this, because this week I went to see the funniest play I can remember, The Play That Goes Wrong.
Comedy is most definitely an art. Depending on the nature – physical, reflective, political – completely different skill sets are needed. For writing, it’s also about picking the perfect words.
I don’t think I have ever really appreciated the art involved in creating a funny, engaging, novel. Most of the comedic poetry I have discovered is quite light, nothing to get you thinking too deeply, but that isn’t the same with a book.
For novels, there’s got to be engagement and sustained levels of comedy over 70,000 or more words. It sounds impossible!
I am trying to think of a few that are genuinely comedies (rather than simply witty or light-hearted) and am going to have to review a few. I would really like to understand how it can be done!
I am never likely to write a truly comedy novel, but I might see how to tie in a few more smiles for readers.
Plus, what a great project to see me through the autumn: books to make me laugh!
If you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments…
Happy laughing!
EJ
🙂
Becoming a writer 