Episode description

Writing humor takes a lot of time and patience. We'll discuss ways to persevere.

Summary

In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett share insights on the creative process of writing humor, emphasizing that humor can be both an inherited trait and a learned skill. The conversation highlights the necessity of trial and error in developing a comedic voice and the various factors influencing one's ability to be funny. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the journey of mastering humor and comedy writing. They emphasize the importance of practice, analysis, and the willingness to learn from unfunny attempts. The hosts share practical tips for writing jokes, the significance of active watching in comedy, and the necessity of obsession with the craft. They also address the challenges some may face in writing humor and encourage aspiring comedians to find their unique path in the genre. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the emergence of Blue Sky as a promising social media platform, contrasting it with their experiences on Twitter and other platforms. They explore the emotional challenges of leaving behind established accounts, the importance of engagement, and the sunk cost fallacy that often prevents users from moving on. The discussion emphasizes the need to focus on platforms that bring joy and meaningful connections, ultimately advocating for a shift towards Blue Sky.

Takeaways

• Writing humor is a long-term process.
• Not everyone has an innate sense of humor.
• Trial and error is essential in humor writing.
• Humor can be developed through practice.
• A supportive environment fosters comedic skills.
• Personal experiences shape one's comedic voice.
• Learning from past failures is crucial.
• Engagement with the audience is key to success. Writing humor requires a long journey of trial and error.
• Analyzing unfunny work is crucial for improvement.
• Active watching of comedy can enhance joke-writing skills.
• Practice writing jokes daily to develop your craft.
• Improv classes can help students understand humor dynamics.
• Reading and analyzing successful comics can provide insights.
• Books on comedy writing can be helpful but may not suit everyone.
• Obsession with humor is essential for long-term success.
• You can't get worse at writing humor if you keep practicing.
• Finding joy in the process is critical to becoming a better comedian. Blue Sky is gaining traction as a new social media platform.
• Engagement on Blue Sky is significantly higher than on Twitter.
• The emotional weight of deleting social media accounts can be heavy.
• The sunk cost fallacy can prevent users from moving on from old platforms.
• It's essential to focus on platforms that bring joy and engagement.
• Many interesting creators are migrating to Blue Sky.
• The hosts emphasize the importance of audience engagement for success.
• Deleting old accounts can be a liberating decision.
• Social media should be a source of joy, not frustration.
• Building a community on new platforms is essential for growth.

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.