revive your book

3 Ways the Holidays Can Revive Your Book

The end of the year is filled with stockpiles of sweets, long lines at the grocery store, and a constant reminder that the clock is ticking on your goals—like where you wanted to be with your manuscript. Even if you’ve boycotted the holidays like Chandler Bing with his Thanksgiving grilled cheese and Frank Costanza with… Read more »

Title Image: Humor Writing

The History of Humor Writing

Whenever I discuss humor writing with anyone—and I mean anyone—people seem immediately intimidated. Some people think that they are not funny enough or don’t have the personality for writing humor. Some might even say they are not familiar with humor but more with things like improv and stand-up. For those still curious how to write… Read more »

Title Image: Using Stand-up to Start Writing Humor

Using Stand-up to Start Writing Humor

My previous installments of my humor column are Writing Humor When You Don’t Think You’re Funny and On Writing Humor as a Funny Introvert. I promised you that I would share three simple ways for all writers (even introverts) to start writing humor. Next installment will talk about the history of humor writing, so stay… Read more »

Introvert

On Writing Humor as a Funny Introvert

I am an introvert. For reference, the definition of introversion (which I find highly suspect and somewhat insulting) is this: in·tro·ver·sion /ˌintrəˈvərZH(ə)n/ noun the quality of being shy and reticent. the tendency to be concerned with one’s own thoughts and feelings rather than with external things. “the tongue-tied introversion of the self-conscious artist” Even if… Read more »

Interview with Kellye Garrett

Today’s #OwnVoices installment is an interview with Kellye Garrett, author of the award-winning “Detective by Day” mystery series. Kellye and Sara talk about the influence of her TV writing days on her books, the difficulties of writing humor, and Crime Writers of Color, a writers’ group she co-founded with Gigi Pandian and Walter Mosley.  About… Read more »

Writing Humor When You Don’t Think You’re Funny

[Author’s note: This is the first article in my new column series about humor writing called “What’s So Funny”. It addresses the so-called how-to’s, different approaches to humor writing, funny people who inspire me, and so on.] Some people are intimidated by writing humor. They think they just aren’t funny enough. And while it isn’t… Read more »