Comedy writing secrets : the best-selling book on how to think funny, write funny, act funny, and get paid for it /
Mel Helitzer with Mark Shatz.
- 2nd ed.
- Cincinnati, Ohio : Writer's Digest Books, 2005.
- 342 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Includes index.
Pt. I. The basics of humor writing ; 1. The importance of humor writing ; 2. Why we laugh ; 3. The anatomy of humor -- Pt. II. Humor writing techniques ; 4. POW : play on words ; 5. More play on words : the simple truth and the take-off ; 6. Play on words : brainstorming techniques ; 7. The next giant step : reverses ; 8. The harmony of paired elements : synonyms, homonyms, and antonyms ; 9. Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered : triples preparation + anticipation + payoff = funny ; 10. Exaggerated and understated realism ; 11. Funny words and foul language -- Pt. III. Writing for specific humor markets ; 12. Testing-one, two, three-writing humor for speeches ; 13. Stand-up or sit down : humor for live entertainers ; 14. Print humor: columns, articles, and fillers ; 15. Saw the picture, loved the gag : humor for cartoons and greeting cards ; 16. The scarce comedy-ty : writing for TV sitcoms ; 17. We mean business ; 18. Teach, learn, and laugh ; 19. That's a wrap.