How to Write Funny

What's "How To Write Funny" about?

• Blueprint for Humor Writing: "How To Write Funny" by Scott Dikkers provides a structured approach to creating humorous writing. It breaks down the process into manageable steps.
• Understanding Humor: The book explores what makes writing funny, focusing on the mechanics of humor and how to reliably generate laughs.
• Tools and Techniques: It introduces various tools and techniques that professional comedy writers use, such as the 11 Funny Filters, to craft jokes and humorous content.
• Practical Exercises: The book includes exercises and methods to help writers develop their comedic skills, making it a practical guide for aspiring humor writers.

Why should I read "How To Write Funny"?

• Learn from an Expert: Scott Dikkers, a co-founder of The Onion, shares his expertise and insights into humor writing, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in comedy.
• Structured Approach: The book offers a clear, step-by-step blueprint for writing humor, which can help both beginners and experienced writers improve their craft.
• Comprehensive Coverage: It covers a wide range of topics, from overcoming writer's block to understanding different types of laughs, providing a thorough understanding of humor writing.
• Practical Application: With exercises and actionable advice, the book is designed to help readers apply what they learn and start writing funny content immediately.

What are the key takeaways of "How To Write Funny"?

• Importance of Subtext: Subtext is crucial in humor writing, as it adds depth and surprise, making jokes more satisfying and memorable.
• 11 Funny Filters: These are the fundamental building blocks of humor, including Irony, Character, Shock, and others, which help transform ideas into jokes.
• Balancing Clown and Editor: Successful humor writing requires balancing the creative, spontaneous side (Clown) with the critical, analytical side (Editor).
• Accessibility and Brevity: Making humor accessible and concise is essential for reaching a wide audience and maximizing comedic impact.

What are the 11 Funny Filters in "How To Write Funny"?

• Irony: Involves expressing the opposite of the intended meaning to create humor.
• Character: Uses a character's traits to generate jokes, often through archetypes like the Dummy or the Know-It-All.
• Shock: Employs elements like sex, swearing, or violence to surprise and amuse.
• Hyperbole: Exaggerates to an impossible degree to highlight absurdity and create laughs.
• Wordplay: Involves playing with words, such as puns or double meanings, to craft jokes.
• Reference: Relies on shared experiences or cultural touchstones to connect with the audience.
• Madcap: Uses slapstick, absurdity, and non-sequiturs for comedic effect.
• Parody: Mimics another work or style to create humor through imitation.
• Analogy: Compares two disparate things to highlight similarities in a humorous way.
• Misplaced Focus: Draws attention to trivial details to indirectly highlight the main issue.
• Metahumor: Makes humor itself the subject of the joke, often through self-reference or deconstruction.

How does Scott Dikkers suggest overcoming writer's block in "How To Write Funny"?

• Morning Pages Exercise: Write continuously for half an hour every day without judgment to clear mental blocks and stimulate creativity.
• Notebook Habit: Carry a notebook to jot down any amusing thoughts or observations throughout the day, capturing spontaneous ideas.
• Balance Clown and Editor: Develop both the creative (Clown) and analytical (Editor) sides of your brain to generate and refine ideas effectively.
• Regular Practice: Consistent writing practice helps build momentum and reduces the likelihood of writer's block over time.

What is the role of Subtext in humor writing according to "How To Write Funny"?

• Hidden Message: Subtext is the underlying message or opinion in a joke that adds depth and surprise, making it more engaging.
• Universal Appeal: Good Subtext often points out a universal truth or flaw, making the humor more relatable and impactful.
• Concealed Delivery: Subtext should never be stated outright; it should be discovered by the reader, enhancing the comedic effect.
• Foundation for Jokes: Subtext serves as the foundation for crafting jokes, guiding the use of Funny Filters to veil the message humorously.

What are the methods for writing jokes in "How To Write Funny"?

• Filtering Method: Start with Subtext and filter it through one or more Funny Filters to create a joke.
• Finessing Method: Begin with a joke or funny idea and refine it using an understanding of Subtext and Funny Filters.
• Divining Method: Use the Funny Filters to generate humor from scratch, even without initial ideas or notes.
• Iterative Process: Each method involves trial and error, encouraging writers to experiment and refine their jokes for maximum comedic effect.

How does "How To Write Funny" address the balance between creativity and criticism?

• Clown vs. Editor: The book emphasizes the need to balance the creative, spontaneous Clown side with the critical, analytical Editor side.
• Developing Both Sides: Exercises like Morning Pages help cultivate the Clown, while structured editing practices strengthen the Editor.
• Avoiding Over-Criticism: Writers are encouraged to embrace their ideas without immediate judgment, allowing creativity to flow before refining.
• Iterative Improvement: The process involves generating ideas freely and then critically assessing and improving them for better humor writing.

What are some practical exercises from "How To Write Funny"?

• Morning Pages: Write continuously for 30 minutes daily to stimulate creativity and overcome mental blocks.
• Notebook Habit: Keep a notebook to capture spontaneous ideas and observations that could inspire humor.
• Funny Filter Practice: Write jokes using each of the 11 Funny Filters to develop versatility and skill in humor writing.
• Regular Review: Periodically review and refine ideas from your notebook and Morning Pages to identify potential jokes and improve them.

What are the best quotes from "How To Write Funny" and what do they mean?

• "Comedy is like a frog—once you start dissecting it, it’s not funny." This highlights the complexity of humor and the challenge of analyzing it without losing its essence.
• "Quantity is the Key to Quality." Emphasizes the importance of producing a large volume of work to find and refine the best ideas.
• "Comfort the Afflicted, Afflict the Comfortable." Suggests that effective satire targets those in power or authority, rather than vulnerable groups.
• "If they laugh, it’s funny." Reminds writers that the ultimate goal of humor is to make people laugh, regardless of the method used.

How does "How To Write Funny" suggest making humor accessible?

• Brevity is Key: Keep writing concise to make it easier for readers to engage and understand the humor.
• Universal Themes: Use themes and references that are widely relatable to reach a broader audience.
• Clear Subtext: Ensure the Subtext is easily discoverable by the reader, enhancing the joke's impact.
• Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of overused jokes and topics to maintain originality and surprise in humor writing.

What is the significance of the "Clown and Editor" concept in "How To Write Funny"?

• Dual Mindset: The Clown represents creativity and spontaneity, while the Editor embodies logic and criticism.
• Balancing Act: Successful humor writing requires balancing these two mindsets to generate and refine ideas effectively.
• Cultivating Creativity: Exercises like Morning Pages help develop the Clown, encouraging free-flowing ideas without judgment.
• Structured Refinement: The Editor's role is to critically assess and improve ideas, ensuring the final product is polished and effective.