Wow! eBook
The Secrets to Writing Great Comedy
Author(s): Lesley Bown (Author)
- Publisher: Teach Yourself
- Publication Date: 29 April 2011
- Language: English
- Print length: 240 pages
- ISBN-10: 1444128922
- ISBN-13: 9781444128925
Book Description
Is this the right book for me?
The Secrets to Writing Great Comedy will reveal to both beginners and experienced writers the distinctive features that mark out comedy from other forms of creative writing. Having identified these, it will help you then to unlock your inner anarchist, and explore the different elements of comedy, using a combination of practical exercises, insight and creative inspiration. Whatever your preferred comic genre, you will find guidance on everything from wordplay and visual humour to plots, comedy characters and different styles. A section on performance will help you to hone stand-up skills, while chapters on stage and screen will give techniques and tips on how to craft a sitcom or create a sketch show. Finally, there is a uniquely frank but useful section on the realities of the markets, and the process of submission, with even a guide to how to work successfully with other people – the downfall of many a budding comedy writer.
The Secrets to Writing Great Comedy includes:
Part one – Writing
Chapter 1: Comedy basics
Chapter 2: Comedy writing mindset
Chapter 3: Getting started
Chapter 4: Language
Chapter 5: Jokes
Chapter 6: Stand-up
Chapter 7: Simple characters and situations
Chapter 8: Sketches and quickies
Chapter 9: More complex characters
Chapter 10: More complex situations and plots
Chapter 11: Sitcoms
Chapter 12: Character development and deeper plotting
Chapter 13: Editing, polishing and unblocking
Part two – Information
Chapter 14: Comedy formats
Chapter 15: Figures of speech
Chapter 16: Comedy styles and genres
Chapter 17: Writing for different media
Chapter 18: Other types of comedy work
Chapter 19: Practicalities of placing your work
Chapter 20: Doing it yourself
Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features:
Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.
Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author’s many years of experience.
Test yourself
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.
Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.
Five things to remember
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.
Try this
Innovative exercises illustrate what you’ve learnt and how to use it.
