Lighten up, just a little
Humor has a place in every day life. It is a part of our
conversations, our entertainment, even our personalities. Humor is
used to lighten the mood, relate to others, to deal with stress and
pain. It is in our workplace, our home and it should be in our books.
A sign posted at a beauty shop: "All work done while you
wait."
A sign posted at a meeting: "For Restrooms: Use Stairs."
A bumper sticker: "Adults are just kids who owe money."
Another bumper sticker: "Ambivalent? Well, yes and no."
Should be my bumper sticker: "There is absolutely no excuse
for the way I'm about to drive."
It can be difficult to predict the effect of humor in your writing
will have on your reader. Sarcasm may be misinterpreted, sexists,
racists or crude remarks may be offensive; however, humor does have a
place in your writing.
Medical research indicates that laughter really is medicinal:
increasing the immune system's activity, increasing antibody
immunoglobulin A, which protects the upper-respiratory tract and
decreasing stress hormones. Humor reduces blood pressure and the
heart rate. Positive humor also offers interpersonal benefits. Humor
makes you and your characters more likeable.
When should humor be used? Whenever, and wherever stress is
prevalent. Think about police officers, medical workers, emergency
personal and you may think there is little opportunity to introduce
humor. However, individuals in these professions need humor to cope.
According to Richard Jacobson, a news anchor with a Los Angeles radio
station, "As a journalist, you encounter the rough edges of society
much like firefighters, policemen and physicians. A certain amount of
humor allows you to keep your emotional equilibrium." He often ends
his newscasts with stupid criminal behavior.
A man was arrested after knocking out an armored car driver
and stealing the closest four bags of money. It turned out they
contained $800 in PENNIES, weighed 30 pounds each and slowed him to a
stagger during his getaway so that police officers easily jumped him
from behind.
A police officer pulled over a driver early Wednesday because
the van she was driving appeared to be out of control. According to
his police report, the 42-year-old driver not only seemed to be
intoxicated, but said: "Please give me a break. I'm drunk."
You may introduce a character who always has a joke to tell. I'm not
talking about the king of one-liners, but don't you know people who
have a joke to share every time you meet them?
A man went to visit his doctor. "Doc, my arm hurts.. Can you
check it out please?"
The doctor rolls up the man's sleeve and suddenly hears the
arm talk. "Hello, Doctor." says the arm. "Could you lend me twenty
bucks please? I'm desperate!"
"Aha!'' says the doctor. ''I see the problem. Your arm is
broke!"
So lighten up a little. It's ok. Even if your book is serious, your
characters don't always have to be.
Resources:
http://jokeboss.comLisa Hood is the author of "Shades of Betrayal" and "Shades of
Revenge". She has been writing for over 10 years and is presently
working on her third suspense novel, "Shades of Jealousy." She is
also the Talent Liaison @ BOOKJOBBER.com. Other articles by Lisa Hood
can be downloaded from
http://www.bookjobber.com/articles.asp or
mailto:
lisa_j@...
