Humor Scripts Novels & Stories

Writing comedy is like trying to make a cat wear a hat—you need the right approach, or it’ll just scratch you. First, understand the basics: timing, exaggeration, and relatability. Watch shows like 'The Office' or 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' to see how they build jokes around mundane situations. Start small—write a 2-minute skit about something absurd, like a guy arguing with a vending machine. The key is to twist reality just enough to make it funny but not so much that it loses connection.

Next, read scripts from your favorite comedies. Notice how they set up punchlines. A classic structure is the 'rule of three': two normal things, then a wild third. For example, 'I went to the store, bought milk, and accidentally adopted a llama.' Practice rewriting scenes with your own jokes. And don’t fear failure—most first drafts are as funny as a soggy sandwich, but editing polishes them.

Comedy writing is all about timing, absurdity, and the unexpected. One of my favorite prompts is imagining two overly serious spies trying to blend in at a suburban BBQ, but they keep using ridiculous spy jargon for mundane things. 'Agent, the target is moving toward the grilled meat sector. Should we intercept?' 'Negative, maintain cover. The hostess is deploying the potato salad—priority one.' It’s hilarious how out of place they are, and the contrast between their tone and the setting writes itself.

Another gem is a conversation between a genie and someone who keeps twisting their wishes into puns. 'I wish for a million bucks!' The genie sighs as a herd of deer appears. 'No, no, like the money!' 'Should’ve specified, pal.' The back-and-forth can escalate into the genie just being done with their antics, which always gets a laugh. The key is leaning into the frustration and the wordplay—it’s like a verbal slapstick.

How about a dialogue where two ghosts haunt the same house but have wildly different styles? One’s a classic, moaning specter, and the other’s a chill dude who just wants to watch Netflix. 'Dude, you’re cramping my vibe with all the wailing.' 'But... it’s tradition!' 'Yeah, well, tradition doesn’t pay the streaming bill.' The clash of personalities in an already weird situation is pure gold. It’s all about finding those odd pairings and letting them bounce off each other.

Lastly, picture a job interview where the interviewer is a vampire, but they’re really bad at hiding it. 'So, are you comfortable working nights... exclusively?' 'Do you have any... dietary restrictions we should know about?' The candidate slowly realizing what’s going on but trying to keep it professional is a riot. The humor comes from the slow reveal and the absurdity of pretending it’s totally normal. Comedy’s best when it feels like it could almost happen—but not quite.