The secrets to writing great comedy - Lesley Bown

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The Secrets to Writing Great Comedywill 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.