Ideas to Jokes

We back out chea!

I was flying solo on this week’s livestream but still dropped a lot of bangers about everything from how to break writer’s block to writing one liners and turning ideas into jokes.

Today’s email is going to help you pick the right idea for your jokes. 🧠

Fun fact: The right idea is not always the funniest idea (at first).

Most of my favorite jokes don’t start with a funny idea but rather an interesting idea. Something I am excited to write about and find the funny in.

Happy Turn Up GIF by Joel Byars

So start with an idea that excites you!

Something that evokes an emotional response whether positive or negative.

Having an emotional connection to your ideas will keep you motivated and consistent in both writing and performing until you find that comedy gold.

Professional writers loves this trick.

I was recently listening to a podcast with one of John Oliver’s writers and learned their secret to writing such compelling and funny stories is by adding the humor last. They first make sure they have a well thought out idea and storyline, then find the funny.

The right idea is the foundation of your joke. The stronger the idea, the stronger the joke.

Now It’s Your Turn!

Scroll through your list of ideas and pick the ones that most excite you.

And now that you know how to pick the right ideas, it’s time to turn them into jokes.

Lucky for you I am doing a workshop on Sunday covering this exact topic.

Happy writing comedy fam!

Joel Byars