Dear Journal: Life would be funnier if it wasn’t quite so real
Published 3:30 pm Friday, January 29, 2021
Editor’s note: Karen Harris Tully is a writer who lives in Raymond and has agreed to keep a journal to share with Daily World readers during the odd and uncertain time we’re all navigating.
Dear Journal:
The kids have gone back to school two days a week, and they love being back with their friends, though it must be tiring. Two of the other three days this week have been complete melt-down days for my 5-year-old. On the news front, I haven’t been paying much attention because it’s honestly maddening. There was an attack on the U.S. Capitol and who’s being held accountable? Looks like no one to me.
So, in the spirit of concentrating on something positive, I’ve given myself a new writing challenge this week. I entered a contest with about 6,500 authors across America (which I have zero chance of winning): the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge. They have different challenges throughout the year, but this one goes like this: write a 2500-word story in eight days from three prompts, a genre, a theme, and a character. I drew rom-com, reminiscing, and a grocer. Honestly, rom-com? I’ve never written romantic comedy in my life! And reminiscing, that’s not even active. I picture someone sitting there thinking about the past. In a grocery store. Yeah.
Well the thing is due tomorrow, and so far I’ve got a slapstick comedy about a female butcher and a vegan baker/produce manager, salsa dancing through the vegetable aisle, falling in love and starting a business. Together. It sounds funnier than it actually is, and the second half has approximately zero laughs.
Since I may write a few humorous bits in my books, but have never taken on comedy, I did what any author would do. Yes. I asked google.
“How to write short comedy stories” led me to articles and videos by a number of authors and comedians, including five tips from Jerry Seinfeld. It turns out there actually are rules for this stuff, like unfortunately you’re supposed to start with a funny idea. And it’s supposed to get funnier toward the end. Honestly, I’m glad I’m not a comedian because trying to be funny is the worst. Especially when the real world doesn’t seem so humorous. Anyway, Journal, I should go. There’s a 5-year-old here doing a really good impression of 15 and screaming “I know that already!” through her time-out.
Song of the Day: Bedrock Anthem, “Weird Al” Yankovic
Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.
