Normally, it’s not a good thing when people read your work and start laughing but for me it’s the Holy Grail. I’ll hand my book to my husband for a first read through and disappear into another room. If I don’t hear at least a chuckle by the end of Chapter One, I know I’ve missed my mark and it’s back to the computer.In my head, I see my books as movies, specifically romantic comedies, where the love story is paramount but humor is around every corner. What do I find funny? Just about anything, even sex. Seriously, sex can be very funny. Clothes really don’t melt away, body parts don’t always slide perfectly into position, and being slammed against a wall for a passionate kiss can hurt!
When I write contemporary romance, I make it as real as possible.
I look at what us normal, average people go through and find the humor in the situation. After all, we don’t have a movie director choreographing our every move so noses can get in the way of that perfect kiss, zippers jam and kicking off your shoes just might break a lamp.
When I receive feedback from readers saying—Oh my God, I loved your characters, they are so like me—then I’m the one who gets to smile.
Remember the book/movie, Eat, Pray, Love? I had a problem with that book. I’m sorry, but I wanted to slap that woman. Were we supposed to feel sorry for her? Here she was off to Italy, India and Bali, to find herself! Poor thing! Most of us have to be satisfied with the grocery store, a good book, and a walk in the park. If I had written that book it would have been called, Eat, Fart, Giggle. That’s how my mind works. What do you find funny or love to laugh at in your everyday life? If you want to laugh, cry and have a happy ending, check out any of my novels at http://christiewalkerbos.com/
11 comments:
I can remember my mother and I laughing so hard one Sunday in Church I had to leave. The reason? The look on my Dad's face when he happened to glance down and see a white hair from our dog curved perfectly around the toe of one of my black suede shoes. So for me, it's the every day things seen from a different slant or point of view. I can tell this story to others and they don't laugh. Maybe I get a smile. But every time my Mom and I remembered this moment we chuckled if not out-and-out laughed. Humor is very personal and a very essential part of life. Even dark days seem brighter when I find something to laugh about.
Hi Christie,
What a great post on writing romantic comedy! Since I'm new to your work, I zipped on over to your lovely website. I read the fun article of how you met your husband. That is quite a story!
What makes me laugh is humor in books and especially romances that are romantic comedies. Nothing delights me more than chuckling through a humorous romp. I'm going to have to read your books. They sound right up my ally. By the way, do you have any more advice on how to write romantic comdedy?
I loved your post, and I can't wait to read one of your books. The books I like best--including thrillers and suspense--all include at least an occasional dash of humor. It's hard for me to identify with any character who can't see some humor in her/his situation.
Let's try this again. I've left two comments and they are not getting posted.
Thanks Judith, Vonnie and Linda.
To answer Vonnie's question, I carry a small notebook around in my purse and when I hear or see something funny, I jot it down. I then ready all my funny stuff as inspiration before I start writing a new book. Sometimes I use actual phrases and situations, other times reading my notes just tickles my funny bone and puts me in the mood.
I've included some funny stuff I've seen and heard in some of my books. If I don't, I tend to write melodrama! I gotta check out one of your books, Christie.
Thanks for stopping by, Debra.
Eat, Fart, Giggle - Now there's the book I want to read.
Irony makes me smile.
One morning, my husband and I got up at four o'clock because he needed to catch a plane for a business trip to Canada. Before we left for the airport, we wracked our brains to make sure he didn't forget anything important.
Meds? Check. Wallet? Check. Book? Check. Tickets? Check. I asked him if he needed his company badge (sometimes he does.) He said he didn't need it this time.
"But I need my passport," he said. "Thanks for reminding me."
We both laughed.
We laughed even harder an hour later when he called me to tell me he'd left all his cash in his jeans. Irony, thy name is Middle Age.
Eat, Fart, Giggle...there's a book I want to write someday. Thanks to everyone for stopping by.
I LOVE your litmus test for successful writing - a laugh from your hubby beta-reader. And I would totally read Eat, Fart, Giggle. Write it!
Great post! I agree, if I can't make someone laugh out loud, then I need to polish the writing some more - or what's the point. Life is funny, sometimes on purpose but more often by mistake. And those are often the laughs we love the most.
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