A Newsletter of Humorous Writing #60
A Newsletter of Humorous Writing
A Newsletter of Humorous Writing
For NOVEMBER 08-14, 2018, a roundup of the week's finest prose humor and prose humor-related news.
Hello and welcome to A Newsletter of Humorous Writing, the email propaganda arm of the acclaimed humorous readings show, An Evening of Humorous Readings. Well, it's finally cold here in New York City, home of Humorous Readings HQ (HRHQ). So, how are we staying warm? By reading short humor pieces next to the fire, of course! And then, when we're finished, we throw them in, to keep the flames going--for it reminds us that humor is fleeting and that everything will be consumed by nature. Also, we don't pay for heat!
What We Enjoyed This Week
An Inventory of All My Possessions Before And After I Moved Apartments by Nicole Boyce (New Yorker) Great structure meets a great premise. It also reminds us of the time that, after moving, ostensibly to save money, we spent $500 at Target buying stuff that we probably threw away. Again, we can't afford heat.
If We're Going To Keep Gerrymandering, Can We At Least Draw The Districts Into Funnier Shapes? by Nora Walls (McSweeney's) If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. This piece harnesses our collective feeling of, "Damnit, it's never going to change, is it?" and turns it into something hilarious. We say, good trade!
My Trip To The Tattoo Shop...As Imagined By My Mom by Cara Michelle Smith (The Belladonna) This piece features great character work--something that you don't always see in humor pieces. We know exactly what "Mom" thinks, and how she views the world. All in just a few sections.
Scott's Expensive Flights: The Airfare Newsletter For Terrible Travelers by Andrew Cushing (McSweeney's) This piece is a joke machine--one that continues to deliver from top to bottom. It's always fun to see a piece, like this, that takes a broad idea, and surprises you with where it goes.
An Old Favorite
Purify Your System With The Seven-Day Chili Dog Cleanse by Django Gold (McSweeney's)
We spend a lot of time in this newsletter trying to break down what makes something funny--structure, style, tone, etc. The fact is, there's a lot thought that goes into humor writing. Every word is there for a reason, and understanding why leads to a better appreciation of the form.
But here's the thing: chili dogs are funny. Hot dogs are funny. Chili is funny. Chili dogs are funny. Talking about chili dogs in a way that is serious at all is very funny. Friend of the Show, Django Gold, understands that. Of course, a piece has to do more than just reference a funny topic. It has to do something with it. Here, Django expertly elevates the chili dog--having his "narrator" seem more and more serious with each section. He never once gives away the game. In fact, he only makes it stronger. That's why this piece is so funny.
Updates From Your Hosts and Friends of the Show
James has a hilarious illustrated (and informative!) piece in the New Yorker. Lin-Manuel Miranda, take note! The inspiration for your next hit musical is right here.
Friends of the Show, and the Newsletter, and co-founders of The Belladonna, Caitlin Kunkel, Brooke Preston, Fiona Taylor, and Carrie Witmer have a new book (based off their great McSweeney's Piece) out this week, New Erotica For Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust & Equal Pay. Buy it because it's funny. Buy it because it'll tell publishers that humor books sell. Buy it because they promised they'd give us 10% of any profits this newsletter generates and we really need a space heater.
Caitlin, Brooke, Fiona, and Carrie are also hosting a book party at Wildfang in Soho at 6pm. Stop by, and then...
News About The Next Show
...head on down to OUR HANGOUT!
7pm at Peculier Pub in (chilly!) New York City. Hope to see you there!