 Comedy: October 26, 2011 Issue [#4679] |
  Comedy
This week: The Funny Side of Poetry Edited by: Lornda  
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"What is comedy? Comedy is the art of making people laugh without making them puke."
~Steve Martin
This week's Comedy Editor:
Lornda
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The Funny Side of Poetry
"Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
Writing comedy can find its way into many of our creative works. It could be a quirky character in a short story, a funny incident at work for our blogs, family antics for a non-fiction piece, or a mom's crazy hangnail cure for an article. Comedic poetry, though, is something that is tricky to write because you have a short period to make the reader laugh. I'm not an expert on how to write a poem, but I'm entertained when I read one that's on the funny side.
I found a few pointers on what makes a poem humorous:
Keep it short: The longer the poem, the harder it might be to keep the reader laughing. Try to stay within ten lines because this packs the most punch.
Infuse it with rhyme: By selecting the right words to rhyme, a poem will have great pace and lead up to a powerful punchline.
One way to incorporate the above two points, is to write a limerick. I laugh the most at these because they're short and get to the point fast. The best part is that it's only five lines long and packs a punch of humor with the rhyming words . The rhyme scheme for it is easy to remember: aabba. (Why do I feel like singing 'Dancing Queen'? ) If you want to give limerick writing a try, check this link out: Limerick Facts
Remember to draw from your own personal experiences for inspiration--it makes for a funnier poem when it's something personal. It could come from anywhere--our pets, children, odd goings on next door-even the in-laws!
Writing.Com offers many types of poetry and it's refreshing to read a poem that is on the funny side. In my travels to select poems to highlight, the search yielded a small number of newer entries, so to help generate a few more humorous poems, check out a contest to enter below!
Have a Boo-tiful October!
Write on and laugh!
~Lornda
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Enjoy a few funny poems from some of our authors!
To start, I thought showcasing a humorous poem from each of our Comedy Editors would set the tone! There is also a challenge for these three--check the contest details below. . .(insert evil laugh here). . .
"Night Mare" by Waltz Invictus 
An entry from: "Comedy Collection" [18+]
Tis' the season to be jolly scary!
These next three items have a funny picture to accompany the poem.
For more comedy gems of poetry from this author, check in this folder  "Poetry Inclined to Comedy." [E]
Short, but very funny!
For more comedy gems of poetry from this author, check in this folder "Ribboned Writes - Humor" [E]
This poem is so bad it's funny!
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Calling all poetry writers! Write a new funny poem and win a prize! The winners will be announced in the November 23rd 'Comedy' newsletter!
 The challenge for our three editors: Be the first one to enter a poem and you will win a "Funny' Merit Badge!
Check out the contest details and entry form here:
Feedback from my June 8th newsletter: "What's the Secret to Writing Comedy?"
LJPC - the tortoise  :Hi Lornda!
I loved your pointers on comedy--you're so organized!--especially the 'rule of three' idea. I think my favorite comedy 'tricks' are parody and exaggeration. You used great examples.  I LOVED Jack Hammer's and Smiling Jack's replies to your last NL's comedy challenge. Hysterical! Thanks for another excellent newsletter!  --Laura
If you think I'm organized with a newsletter, you should see me in the 'real life'--a regular Martha Stewart! (Without the prison time.)  Thanks for the comments, Laura!
Freelanceink : I enjoyed reading your article: What's the Secret of Writing Comedy. I have never heard any claim that anger was at the heart of comedy before, but I have heard that pain or suffering is (anger is the result).
I believe that there is much more to the "Rule of Three" than a simple list of items, or characters. It applies to the nitty-gritty of how to set up gags, and the power of repeated gags within a story--think of classic sit-coms like Seinfeld: remember George trying to place a phone call in a Chinese Restaurant, or the catch-phrase "not that there's anything wrong with that." These gags are introduced, then repeated with different outcomes or contexts, then visited once more with yet different outcomes or contexts. As the joke becomes familiar the surprising context, or unexpected repetition, actually strengthens the joke and the audience response. People like to know the joke before it happens--they just don't want to see it coming.
Good point! Thanks so much for writing in with your comments!
Jeff  : Great NL this week, Lornda! You've really provided a lot of great suggestions and advice for people looking to improve their comedy writing. And thanks for featuring my item! 
Thanks for the comments and you're very welcome for the highlight--given the basis of this story--it's the right time of year to make mention of it again.
"Costume Creativity"
Happy Spring : I enjoyed your newsletter, Lornda. I honestly didn't know and thanks for your feature. I truly believe if you look for laughter, you will find it. Just with that thinking, a writer's block could disappear! I'll be back....Nice edition!
Thanks for the comments and good advice for writer's block!
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