Journal 47

BUT I AIN’T FUNNY! YES YOU ARE!

Let’s do a few simple humor exercises to illustrate that humor writing is accessible to everyone. Creativity is the key to comedy’s engine, which won’t turn over without unbridled imagination.

Part #1: Consider the possible uses of two round bar stool cushions. Other than stool cushions, what can they be? Use your imagination and plenty of exaggeration. Without being restrained by practicality, write

down at least five possibilities:

Examples: • elephant slippers • oversized skullcaps • eye patches for a giant • hemorrhoid pads for a really large person • Frisbees for the athletically challenged

1)2)3)4)5)

Part 2

Look at any other common object—an ashtray, a beer bottle, furniture in a room, or parts of the human body. Train your mind to constantly ask “What if?” and brainstorm all the possibilities of what else these objects could be. Come up with a list of at least 5. Don’t worry if your ideas seem absurd. The exercise is to get your imagination in gear. To write funny, you must first think funny.

Part 3

• Using the list of funny words, create a 1 minute scene of dialogue between two characters or a monologue with one character.

• Use the words from the list in a meaningful way. It might sound like nonsense, but it should be nonsense that makes sense to the audience (I know- what a paradox!).