{"id":9021,"date":"2016-09-12T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-12T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewritelife.com\/?p=9021"},"modified":"2016-09-10T14:07:23","modified_gmt":"2016-09-10T19:07:23","slug":"7-comedy-writing-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/?p=9021","title":{"rendered":"7 Comedy-Writing Techniques Nonfiction Writers Can Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most essayists and memoirists know the struggle of generating new material, but most don\u2019t go on stage to share it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stand-up comedy is its own art form, but there are so many lessons to be learned from those who do this kind of performative and creative writing<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s how to write, where to write, or how to edit, so much of how comedians work also applies to how those who write essays and other nonfiction styles work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are seven things nonfiction writers can learn from the world of stand-up comedy. <\/b><\/p>\n

1. Find a system that works for you<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cA couple hours will go into actual pen-and-paper writing, my most portable way to do it,\u201d said <\/span>Caitlin Weierhauser<\/span><\/a>, a comedian living in Portland, Oregon. \u201cI have such severe ADD I found that writing on my laptop was mostly surfing twitter and Facebook. With pen and paper, I have that immediate ability to reference back to stuff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a weekly show, Weierhauser spends a couple of hours preparing material, but those hours are scattered. She keeps two notebooks: a smaller one containing setlists, and a larger one for longform writing and assembling material.<\/span><\/p>\n

A physical notebook seems to be common for those in stand up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy notebook looks like a crazy person\u2019s diary,\u201d said <\/span>Laura Sanders<\/span><\/a>, a New Orleans-based comedian. \u201cIt\u2019s half setlists where I work on order and make a playlist for a set. A lot of pages are quick ideas I never get back to. Some look like paragraphs you can read and see a complete thought. Other parts are lists, joke ideas. Segments. Some of it I\u2019ll see later and say, oh that\u2019s not funny at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Curtis Cook<\/span><\/a>, a comedian who recently moved to L.A., has been doing comedy for six years and keeps color-coded notes to himself in his: \u201cIf it\u2019s blue, it\u2019s word-for-word [what I\u2019ll say on stage. If it\u2019s black, it\u2019s an idea. If it\u2019s orange, it\u2019s stream-of-consciousness.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, <\/span>Alex Falcone<\/span><\/a>, a Portland comedian, prefers digital tools like Evernote and Google Docs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMake the barrier to entry as low as possible,\u201d<\/b> Falcone suggested. \u201cMake a list you can look at later. I use Evernote to create ideas, a separate notebook for jokes I move a joke over to its own note. And then I use Google Docs for larger and longer projects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He also combines these tools, linking to Google Docs within Evernote.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like systems,\u201d <\/b>said Falcone.<\/span> \u201cIt\u2019s sort of procrastinating, but it\u2019s still helpful.<\/b> You can reorganize them and still feel like you\u2019re working.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Practice your process<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cThe optimistic goal of writing every single day,\u201d said Falcone. \u201cAs a practical matter, it\u2019s probably writing jokes three or four times a week. I also write a bunch of other things, so often making time for just stand up goes on top of writing a column or a radio piece.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, Falcone said, the more he writes, the easier the process gets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverything evolves a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re doing a lot of it, like any muscle, it\u2019s easier to do some more. Your brain creates more ideas when you\u2019re performing more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Make frequent writing easy by always having the means to do so anywhere.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cI just always keep my notebook with me,\u201d said Sanders. \u201c<\/span>It comes in minute or two-minute intervals.<\/b> I want to tell you it\u2019s so much more time than it is. Sometimes it\u2019s when I\u2019m sitting and watching another comic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Find a productive spot<\/span><\/h2>\n

Just like other writers, comics\u2019 <\/span>preferred places to write<\/span><\/a> can vary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI usually write at my house and very rarely go to a coffee shop.\u201d said Cook. \u201cSometimes I want to pay attention to other performers at open mics so I will do a lot of writing there, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I do sit down and write, it\u2019s a lot of sitting with my notebook in a coffee shop and reading the news to see if it brings anything,\u201d said Sanders. \u201cA lot of jokes come from hanging out with people. Writing is a lot more interactive for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a big coffee-shop fan,\u201d said Falcone. \u201cI\u2019m much more productive there since there are fewer distractions than at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Falcone said he tries to block off an hour or two first thing in the morning at a coffee shop. He usually starts by going through tapes from the last couple days\u2019 shows and finding edits to make.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll go through five jokes that aren\u2019t doing what I want,\u201d he said. \u201cThen I go through new jokes, or notes I wrote in my phone. <\/span>I\u2019ll see if any of those want to become a joke today.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That series of steps usually takes about an hour and a half, Falcone said, adding that it\u2019s equally important to get new material and get in front of an audience quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you\u2019re writing gets worse the more you write if you\u2019re never taking it outside,\u201d<\/b> he said. \u201cIf the audience doesn\u2019t like the premise, it\u2019s done from the get go. You gotta take it out in front of an audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Give yourself a writing prompt<\/span><\/h2>\n

Weierhauser emphasized the importance of <\/span>using writing prompts<\/span><\/a> to get ideas moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask me to recall a funny story, I will think that nothing funny has ever happened in my whole life,\u201d she said. \u201cBut if I put a filter on top of it and can be like, think about weird or funny things that have happened in regards to \u2018X.\u2019 Then it\u2019s easier to parse through that stuff. It\u2019s like a writing prompt. Then I\u2019ll apply my comedic voice to that. Through rewrites, you can go back and cut out details that don\u2019t really matter, or make an elaboration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, Sanders encouraged writers to <\/span>try new experiences to help generate material.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite jokes have been exposing myself to things that aren\u2019t stand-up and trying it,\u201d she said. \u201cComedians say \u2018yes\u2019 to weird opportunities. There\u2019s situations where you\u2019re like, I\u2019m gonna expose myself to a lot of stimuli and that\u2019s gonna kickstart my creative process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Allow for free writing and brainstorming<\/span><\/h2>\n

Just get <\/span>something<\/span><\/i> down, these comedians insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMake it really easy to write down bad ideas,\u201d said Falcone. \u201cMy philosophy is, if I think of anything, it\u2019s going to go somewhere. It might be a joke that turns into a radio piece. It\u2019ll find a place where it can live. I\u2019m always afraid it\u2019ll be the last idea I ever have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Weierhauser likes using a list technique to write.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the way I wrote a bit for [a radio show],\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted to pitch an idea about \u2018lady weapons\u2019 to give commentary on this completely unnecessary gendering of products. So I listed all the things I could think of, in rapid fire, that I identified with women or womanhood. Then in another column I wrote all the weaponry I could think of. Then I found ways to connect them, and that\u2019s how you end up with nun chucks \u2013 for nuns.\u201d<\/p>\n

If anything, just write something short to show your efforts.<\/b> When new jokes aren\u2019t happening, find other outlets for your creativity, said Falcone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I don\u2019t feel like writing new jokes, I can work on a script instead,\u201d he said. \u201cAs long as I\u2019m working on something, that\u2019s fine. I have other projects, and every idea has to go into something. These are puzzle pieces.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Listen to yourself: Use audio to your advantage<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many comics <\/span>listen to recent performances<\/span><\/a> to inspire a new writing session.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bring my notebook out onto the back porch and listen and take notes of those sets and things I liked, things I hadn\u2019t organically written down or maybe delivered a different way,\u201d said Weierhauser. \u201cI\u2019ll star them or slash them in my notebook.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sanders said she tries to record every set and make notes later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can feel audience reactions when you\u2019re performing,\u201d she said. \u201cBut what\u2019s useful is your [editing] after the fact. The first draft always sucks. I can listen to other comics and suggest tags for them when they get off-stage. But I can\u2019t do that for myself. <\/span>Listening to a recording helps me come at my work as an outsider.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added that listening can help her generate better, funnier word choices.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the difference between having an ordinary joke, and making it so well done,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cThe first time I tell a joke, it never has those beautiful words in it. Later I can ask myself, is there a better verb I could be using?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

It helps with rhythm, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have a very dedicated rhythm but when you listen back you realize you can punch up the volume at parts or vary the pace,\u201d Sanders said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe not all essayists wish to record themselves reading their work, but reading and re-reading can only help.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like to record, so I take a lot of notes at the end,\u201d said Cook, adding that good editing decisions come from these notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. For motivation? Use deadlines, or let yourself work on other things first<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cAll my motivational tricks involve shame and embarrassment,\u201d said Sanders. \u201cI liked having a group where we challenged each other to have 15 new minutes of material each month. I\u2019m very deadline oriented.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cook suggested working first on what you\u2019re most excited about at any given time.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m writing something specific, I am already excited and motivated,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if nothing\u2019s been going on, I feel a pressure to write.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Falcone recommended visiting a list of bad ideas and digging into it to make something good.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA blinking cursor is the worst,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s when I\u2019ll go to my notes. I\u2019ll take my bad ideas, or edit stuff and expand on it. I have a list of things I should someday write about, for when I\u2019m not feeling great.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are no bad ideas, Falcone said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I teach writing, I tell people to keep a list called <\/span>\u2018No Bad Ideas, I\u2019m Brainstorming,\u2019<\/b>\u201d he said. \u201cAt some point, you\u2019ll go back to your list and something there will be useful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some final words of advice<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cDivorce your ego from your writing,\u201d said Weierhauser. \u201cBe as objective as possible. Ask yourself, is this funny to listen to? Is this entertaining?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe around people, and not always around comedy,\u201d said Sanders. \u201cA lot of times, I\u2019ll get in a wormhole of only reading books about comedy. Instead, I\u2019ll watch a new documentary about bullfighting\/rodeo. You can learn about comedy all day, but <\/span>it\u2019s important to read things that are just good writing<\/b>. Go see shows that aren\u2019t just stand up. Aim your work toward a general audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s your writing style? Have you ever tried writing comedy? <\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You may not think of yourself a as a comedian, but these comedy-writing tips can help you shake up your writing routine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232,"featured_media":9050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[847,850,849,848],"class_list":["post-9021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-craft","tag-comedy-writing","tag-creative-nonfiction-writing","tag-nonfiction-writing-prompts","tag-writing-comedy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/232"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9021"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9021\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewritelife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}