Comedy
This week: Sarcasm at its best Edited by: Gaby More Newsletters By This Editor
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Hey, all! I'm Gaby and I'm your first time guest editor for the Comedy Newsletter!
I try and write satire that's well-intentioned. But those intentions have to be hidden. It can't be completely clear, and that's what makes it comedy.
~ Bo Burnham
You can't debate satire. Either you get it or you don't.
~ Michael Moore
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The beauty of written words is that you can express yourself in any way possible without worrying about another person's reaction in a direct way. How does that pertain to sarcasm? You can write a satiric poem to get the point across, but what about a short story? In our speech, the tone of voice changes when saying something that is meant to be sarcastic.
In my recent newsletter, a reader mentioned that adding comedy to an intense situation releases the tension between characters. I do agree. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine even in the worst of times. Sarcasm may not have much room there. Yet it comes in many shapes and sizes and is a good addition to your writing. The only problem is how to include it inside a story and make the point come across, where it would make a reader laugh.
I love a good laugh just as any other person, but when it comes to me, I'm very sarcastic, downright mean with my jokes. Satire to me is the truth wrapped inside a joke. Dark humor is something I grew up with and I'm good at it. There isn't a possibility of me telling you a funny joke. I'm more likely to add my two cents to something you just said and I may not agree with. That's how I am. I breathe sarcasm. That also means that if your writing is full of little jabs at other characters, I am definitely going to understand and enjoy reading it. Doesn't mean I'm a bad person because of that.
Many people, surprisingly, don't understand sarcasm. Even when it's right in front of them. They don't hear the change of voice, don't see the slight shift in a person's expression. Nothing. They are clueless. If you have to tell them that you were being sarcastic, it defeats the purpose.
Now, translate that into writing! If a person can't see and hear the change for something that's meant to be satiric, do you think they'll be able to recognize it in writing? Perhaps, but more likely than not, your joke will still fall short of their expectation, or lack thereof. This might be your lose-lose situation. It depends how hard you try to impress them.
Would you even bother impressing them? It isn't your fault they can't understand the signs. Satire is a genre all onto itself, which means, those who don't understand it will more likely stay away from it in the first place. When it comes to conveying the message in your writing, character behavior, movements, and expression are what play a huge role. One thing you must understand is, sarcasm isn't something a person will laugh out loud over. It'll produce that giggle or a snort, perhaps even a quick outburst of a short laugh, but it won't make your reader pee their pants from laughter. It may even make them feel a small stab of pain before they smile to themselves.
That's what sarcasm or satire translates to. There aren't any major revelations, only a temporary thought provoking moment before moving on.
'Til next time!
~ Gaby
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