I'm reading a book on writing comedy, by Sol Saks, that is proving to be less about making people laugh and more about telling a good story. His rules --
Be brief, simple, clear, bold, relevant, recognizable, controversial, unpredictable, original, and salable.
Do NOT:
Be courteous, reverent, or obedient; honor thy mother, father or any predecessor; have a false straight line; go past the punch line; explain; apologize; be innocuous; conform; be tentative; or be untimely.
His seven deadly sins of writing?
Timidity
Deference
Obscurity
Pomposity
Blandness
Bad Timing
Imitation
The book is 30 years old and dated as regards what he considers funny...more smile-worthy...but it's reminding me of how I'm guilty of doing some of the no-nos and not doing the yes-yeses. My books have been controversial, unpredictable and bold, no question...but salable? Only barely. So, I read to write in writing to be read.
Hopefully it will keep me from drifting off into stupidville...but you never know.
Be brief, simple, clear, bold, relevant, recognizable, controversial, unpredictable, original, and salable.
Do NOT:
Be courteous, reverent, or obedient; honor thy mother, father or any predecessor; have a false straight line; go past the punch line; explain; apologize; be innocuous; conform; be tentative; or be untimely.
His seven deadly sins of writing?
Timidity
Deference
Obscurity
Pomposity
Blandness
Bad Timing
Imitation
The book is 30 years old and dated as regards what he considers funny...more smile-worthy...but it's reminding me of how I'm guilty of doing some of the no-nos and not doing the yes-yeses. My books have been controversial, unpredictable and bold, no question...but salable? Only barely. So, I read to write in writing to be read.
Hopefully it will keep me from drifting off into stupidville...but you never know.
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