Laughter World

How to Write Comedy

Where do you start if you need some comedy? Well you can hire a comedy writer or learn the trade yourself. If you want to learn it’s going to be lonely and it is going to require a huge amount of sacrifice. Even if you are talented you will have to practice every day.

Writing Comedy for TV and Film

There are dozens of books on the market about writing comedy and all of them have a value in terms of allowing you to build up on technique. Every one you read will produce one tool you can apply to your own writing.

The most useful way of learning is to copy the master story tellers and comedy writers (not necessarily the same thing). Think of your favourite sitcom. Think of your favourite episode. Now buy the script (or search online). Sit down and type out the episode, word for word. Why? Because it will teach you very quickly how a writer ‘spends his/her words,’ how they think and how they create certain effects.

This above technique is the fastest way to gain mastery of comedy writing. You can expand the practise by analysing your writing and identifying what you need to improve.  Then search out the comedy writers who have what you lack.

Take the practice to a logical conclusion and write your idea using the exact structure, line-by-line of your copied script. You’ll learn a huge amount about the way you think and identify what you have to work on.

Writing Gags and Sketches

You can apply the above technique to comedy sketches and gags but you are better off practising continuously and creating the spontaneous. The best comedy writing book available to teach this is Gene Perret’s Comedy Writing Workbook. The book is out of print but there are usually copies available on eBay or on Amazon.

Writing a Comedy Blog

Another great way to learn the comedy writing trade is to create website that interests you and will allow you to practice and socialise with others interested in comedy, comedy video, comedy writing and just having a good Laugh.

If you want to learn more about creating comedy, comedy characters and online comedy visit the bitcomedy.co.uk Website.

About the Author

Jim Kinloch is a comedy writer living in Hertfordshire, England. He has had his work performed on stage, TV and online. He specialises in creating surreal, fun and highly visual comedy in every form, from physical theatre to radio and cabaret to twitter.

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