Writing Humor - Natural Talent or Hard Work?

I've laughed so hard today, ( @ church ) so I decided to drop back by.

If people don't get your joke, don't try to explain it, you'll only make yourself look like an idiot.

Yes, this comes from expeirience.

~CS

 

I agree humor can be tough. I just wrote my first humor viggie and it was a lot harder than the other stuff I've worked on. I never would have attempted humor except I was lucky enough to be adopted by a wonderful Master who walked me through a process that worked for me.

But, I tell you, I went over and over and over the story to the point where I didn't even know if it was funny or not. I even had my sister read it over first and when she chuckled a couple times, I knew it was okay and maybe I'd get a positive response or two. The only way it worked was to write something I thought was funny, it certainly wasn't a slapstick comedy and I had the same anxiety that nobody else would think it was funny but I don't think it's possible for most people to write for the audience - you need to write for yourself.
Interestingly enough, that viggie got the most responses I've ever received!

I don't consider myself a "humor" writer. I do much better with drama and agnst but I'm glad I did it. To have met the challenge was reward enough, to have gotten positive feedback was an added bonus. I would definitely encourage every writer to write what they enjoy - that's where the real reward is IMHO.

 

The thing I hate about humor is you can be thinking your story is good and then it's like someone tells you it sucks lol