Seventeen years ago, in my Match profile, I wrote, “I’m looking for a woman with big boobs. A pretty face is nice too.” Only three people responded to my profile. Three responses is three more than I should have gotten. At the time, I thought my profile was hilarious because it was also true. My favorite type of humor is when something is so true, it’s funny.
Lucky for me, one of the three respondents is now my wife because I would be single forever if I led with that line today.
There’s another type of humor I love and that’s when there’s surprise and then recognition. On Writing Class Radio’s latest podcast episode, Can You Find Humor in Addiction? our narrator, Maxine Poupko, tells a story about flashing 760 Zoom attendees at an AA meeting. It’s okay that I spoiled the ending because the way she sets up the story, you know what’s coming. If you’re like me, you’ll be yelling “Close your legs!” at her through your earbuds. But she won’t hear you because this is a podcast.
Maxine also makes fun of herself and one particular eating habit. Is it funny to make fun of an eating habit? I’d love to know what you think.
Click below to hear the full story.
In case you missed it, I told a New Year’s resolution story on our podcast called I’ve Been Rejected 643 Times. Here’s Why I Resolve to Fail More. It’s a serious story about a new way of looking at something I’m very good at—failure.
Click below to listen.
THIS SATURDAY, 12 to 1 p.m. ET, I’m hosting our Tips Clinic on Zoom and you’re invited. We’re talking about amping up a situation by going from A to B to Z. Then we’ll write and put that tip into practice. If you’re already a Patreon, here’s your FREE Tips Clinic link.
If you’re not a member, join us for $10. Register here for TIPS CLINIC.
As always, Writing Class Radio has two First Draft weekly writing groups where you write to a prompt and if you want, you can share what you wrote. FUN!
You can test drive First Draft for free with these links.
Tuesday, 12 to 1 p.m. ET with Allison Langer.
Thursday, 8 to 9 p.m. ET with Eduardo Winck.
Before you go, if this newsletter asks you to become a paid subscriber, you don’t have to. This letter will always be free. Thank you for reading. And thank you for listening to Writing Class Radio.
Love,
One thing I constantly tell my writing students is that ours is a business of "No" (as are most of the arts, fwiw). Getting used to and steeling yourself to the "No" is an essential skill we all need. Looking forward to checking out the podcast!
Roxanna Eldon gave a class at Miami Dade on writing with humor. I took it and it was fun but it's interesting how some people find something funny and others don't. One of the best stories was written by my BFF George Gutierrez. It was about how he tried to help teach his daughter how to use a Tampon through the bathroom door. :)