Longing for Spring | Photograph by Lee Rawn
I want to laugh. More accurately, I need to laugh; a lot. -We all do. And laughter is a great stress reliever. When I posted about writing comedy, I suggested pulling up funny stories from our own experiences. The story doesn’t have to be a huge event, just something small, perhaps ordinary with a twist.
A sure-fire way to elicit laughter is to poke fun at yourself, (although family and friends are not off limits). An embarrassing moment or common situation that develops in an unexpected way, is something that people can relate to. We’ve all been there. What’s funny is when it happens to someone else. We know just how that feels.
Writing short stories is a way to hone your skills as a writer. Writing short funny stories has the added value of laughter, and the enjoyment of sharing light hearted memories with family and friends. Humor draws us closer.
I’ve noticed that even though my family already knows what happened, they eagerly await the punch line and laugh just as hard.
Keep in mind when writing your story to be specific. Think about your timing. Apply the element of surprise. Edit well. Read it out loud and then share. -And above all, have fun.
One last thing. Many of you may feel that you are not writers, or refer to yourselves as aspiring writers. If you write, you are a writer. Consider that most of our correspondence is now through emails. Few people write letters anymore. And who saves their emails? Because of that, much of our family comings and goings is lost. Your stories will be appreciated. The best thing is that you don’t have to be a literary giant to create a delightful, funny story. Just go for it.
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