Funny Business: How to Write Humorously

Have you ever wished you were funny? Let's make that selfish whim into an impractical reality. Activities will include using actual prompts and not just stealing it from Reddit. We will examine what makes something funny, such as word choice, repetition, and stealing it from Reddit. We will look at some of the masters of the craft, like David Sedaris, Ali Wong, and Forky from Toy Story 4. Finally, we will ask the tough questions, like, Is comedic writing looked down upon as too silly to matter? Why are lists of three things so funny? And why wasn't Forky nominated for Best Actor?

Instructor: Meg Thompson is a writer and recovering academic living in Northeast Ohio. Her work has appeared in Best of the Net, McSweeney's Online Tendency, The Sun, and many other now-defunct magazines. She has worked as an English lecturer at the random universities that dot the Midwest, and, more successfully, as a dishwasher. She was a parent-fellow at Martha Vineyard’s Institute of Creative Writing and a finalist for the Key West Literary Seminar Emerging Writing Awards. If you're still on the fence, chew on this: she was voted Most Funny in her sorority. (Two years in a row. Stop asking about it.) And when it comes to prestigious literary prizes, she has applied to them. Find her on Instagram @benignheartmommer.

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Details: Funny Business: How to Write Humorously takes place Thursday March 16 from 6:30-8:30pm at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 15700 Detroit Ave, Lakewood OH 44107.

Prerequisites: None

Genre: Multigenre

Level: All levels

Format: Craft talk with Q&A and writing exercises.

Location: This class takes place at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 15700 Detroit Ave, Lakewood OH 44107.

Size: Limited to 25 participants (including scholarships).

Suggested Sequence: Follow this class with a generative nonfiction writing workshop or feedback course.

Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by December 1.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.

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$30 - Non-Member Registration

$20 - Registration with Member Discount

I'd also like to help out other writers with a donation to the Word for Word Scholarship Fund. (This fund provides low- and limited-income writers in NE Ohio with access to our classes)

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