Screenwriting : Is it wise to write what you're not good at? by Nikki April Lee

My first ex-wife told me that I'm funny when I stop TRYING to be funny. Are you willing to learn from someone that can teach you the tricks of the trade? (I'm not referring to myself here) If it's your passion, you'll find a way. Never never never quit! Just reading the words 'don't try' is a major buzzkill.

If you really want to write something, then learn everything you can about it. Read comedy screenplays, watch the films, read about comedy writers and learn their techniques. And most of all, research, research, research. Everyone starts somewhere but people arrive at their destination because they worked hard for it. If you really want to write comedy, then you have to do your work beforehand to do it. Never say never. But just because you want it, doesn't mean you'll get it. You'll have to do your part to get it. Good luck!

Yes definitely study comedy if you're passionate about this genre. From working with many comedic actors, I was surprised to find there's a whole science behind comedy writing. I've learned a lot about it myself, just from hanging around them. Another route could be teaming up with a comedic writer. If you find someone to collaborate with you on projects, you can plot out the story and they can help with the comedy aspect.

How will will you know for sure if you hold back? The wonderful thing about writing is when you finish it, read it and don't like it you don't have to show it to anyone and you have learned. If you hold back and don't even try you will still never show it but you will have not learned anything.

Comedy is often in the context, the line that falls flat on the page can soar when delivered by the right character in the right situation you have created as a writer. If your passion is romantic comedy I would encourage you to type it out, rewrite it, polish it, and learn ever keystroke of the way. The TV show "Cheers" is often pointed to as an example of comedy that was character driven much more then joke driven. The comedy was in who was saying the lines both casting and character creation wise. Create your characters, create their environment, and by definition romantic comedy is us laughing at normal situations that due to individual reactions are funny. It's the characters you create that make the otherwise normal situations comedic. Go for it, you'll surprise yourself, and you'll learn in the process.

I think you are viewing it all wrong. You are writing a romance story that has comedic elements. Draw on your own experiences or close friends/relatives or make an amalgam from each. If you are true to your characters then the comedy will present itself.

all of you made very great points. Thanks =D I feel a lot better about this.

Family and friends can be difficult to get real criticism from. One trick I use when I am putting my music in front of my family is I don't tell them I am going to get criticism from them. I just have it playing in the background and wait to listen to comments. It's a little underhanded but it's the only way they will give true feelings. The instant I tell them it's my music they change their behavior and expect the earth and sky to part and heaven to shine from my music, if it doesn't they say it's not good. It's also not a real criticism because they are in a different state of mind. I'm not sure how you could do this with a written script though, it's kinda hard to catch them off guard with it.

Writing comedy isn't about writing gags and jokey lines - often it is simply writing about human blindness and behaviour that is inappropriate to the task at hand. It is all around us if we look and listen - you see and hear it every day. Write from the life you live, out of the experiences you have and the foibles that you notice. Carl Reiner looked no farther than his family when he went dry on ideas for writing shows for Sid Ceaser - it's not rocket science, but if you want a little help with it, you might find the section on comedy at http://www.wheresthedrama.com/genre.htm very helpful. Break a leg - or a computer screen if that's what it takes to get you in the mood.

Thanx for the plug Christina - I agree with everything you've said.

True Writers or doers do what they love with love, and as they do so with love, they concentrate on perfection. Then, they gradually becomes good at what they are doing, the work they love. Its possible Nikki. Just do it if you really love, have decided and you are determined.

Nikki. When you write, do you find yourself captured in the world you're creating? Do you laugh outloud when you're typing out the story? I too love to write comedy, but find myself interested in so many other genres. I even have a substantial start in a serious period novel, but have put that on hold for the moment to write the second story in a comedy series because I love to laugh while I write. Write what you love to. Just remeber. Your story may not be for everyone and some may not think its that funny. But,for you and those that do laugh, you'll have found the right ingredients. Ash.

The only way to get better at something is to practice it. try to write a few funny lines of dialogue everyday. even if they are complete crap that you never plan on using. every time you go to write, you'll get progressively better at knowing what works and what doesn't work, your timing will be better, and the dialogue will be smooth. give it a try. :)

I've been writing comedy for over 10 years. It's something built in, but it's also something that can be learned. There are a couple resources that would really help. Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive (http://kaplancomedy.com) and sometimes he teams up with Michael Hauge to do a Romantic Comedy Intensive. Also, Gene Perret conducts a 12 week comedy writing class that teaches you to write comedy at an unbelievable level (http://www.comedywritersroom.com). Good luck :)