Kurt Frenier | Life & Books

Think about someone telling a joke. Jim Carrey would be a great example.

The secret of people that are masters at jokes is STORYTELLING. When you tell a joke, the story and reveal of the clue is not just about perfect repetition of a sequence of events. Joke-tellers add flavor to the humor by adding elements, by completing the picture.

As authors we need to learn from strong comedians on how they build up the story; how they describe location, situation, feelings of all the characters, twist of events. Also, what blanks do they leave in the story to create suspense...and...confusion? Those blanks are often more important than words  -if you know what I mean. Now that's the sort of tension you want in your story, whether you write for adults, YA or specific target groups.

When you hear a cracking joke, it's as if you are a PART OF it; you don't have to think it through; the picture is complete.

So, when you edit, ask yourself: did I complete the picture? Can the readers SIT IN the situation? Did I add enough flavor notes (Auditive-can they hear it? Emotional-can they feel it? Visual-can they see it?)

Give it a go. Build up your story/novel/shortplay like a joke!

Happy writing

KURT

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send examples of your funniest (complete) jokes to kurtfrenier@hotmail.com