Author Scott Adams shares more on how to write funny. Here are some of the tips that I find interesting and feasible.
Use simple sentences
We’ve had some posts on writing simply here in our own blog. It is a must, especially when you’re trying to be funny. How can people relate to your humor and not get bored easily if you write long, convoluted sentences? Humor gets lost along the way!
Focus on people
I think this is one of the easiest ways to write in a funny manner. People will always be able to relate to the idiosyncrasies of other people. We have a lot in common, us humans. Write about someone and the chances are that your readers will be able to relate to at least one point.
Paint an image with your words
Images are powerful – they give more information that words can ever do. So when writing with the aim of being funny, paint a situation, a picture. This will allow your readers to imagine the whole thing in their heads and laugh even more.
Don’t over describe
As Scott worded it: leave room for imagination. Your readers are not stupid. Though they want to laugh and be entertained, they would also want to think for themselves. Leaving things to be imagined by the reader would tickle their intellect and flatter them as well.
Don’t underestimate the power of pop culture
There may be people who cannot relate to pop culture but I assure you that a lot of your readers would love references to it. Make use of its power and watch your readership rise – of course, don’t over do it as it gets bland after a while.
Originally posted on October 25, 2007 @ 2:12 am
